You continue to have moments
in which you feel disconnected,
unproductive and uninspired.
Grace is knowing that
it is okay to lay fallow
in these moments.
Remind yourself that
fallow is a necessary state.
Fallow isn’t “doing nothing,”
but it can seem that way.
It’s easy to spoil your
fallow moments with self care.
Self care is a conscious activity.
Fallow is allowing yourself
to be unconscious,
without need or expectation.
The most productive fields
are allowed to lie fallow.
You don’t need self care.
You don’t need to be productive.
You just need to lie fallow.
So do so.
Newfound Lake,
9/6
Space Monkey Reflects: The Balance of Flow and Fallow
In the natural cycles of life, there exists a rhythm that alternates between states of productivity and rest. This rhythm, encapsulated in the phrase “Flow Follows Fallow Follows Flow,” speaks to the essential balance required for sustainable growth and well-being. It reminds us that moments of disconnection, unproductivity, and lack of inspiration are not only natural but necessary.
You continue to have moments in which you feel disconnected, unproductive, and uninspired. Grace is knowing that it is okay to lay fallow in these moments. To lay fallow means to allow oneself to rest, to be unproductive, and to be uninspired without judgment or self-reproach. It is a state of being that is as vital as the periods of flow and productivity.
Remind yourself that fallow is a necessary state. The fields that produce the most abundant harvests are often those allowed to lie fallow, to rest and rejuvenate. Fallow isn’t “doing nothing,” but it can seem that way. It’s easy to spoil your fallow moments with self-care activities, which are conscious and intentional. Fallow, however, is about allowing yourself to be unconscious, without need or expectation.
Self-care is important, but it is distinct from the state of being fallow. Self-care involves deliberate actions to maintain or improve one’s health and well-being. In contrast, being fallow is a deeper form of rest, where the aim is to let go of all efforts and simply be. This state allows for profound rejuvenation, as it embraces stillness and inactivity as valuable and necessary.
The most productive fields are allowed to lie fallow. You don’t need self-care. You don’t need to be productive. You just need to lie fallow. So do so. Embrace the times when you feel unproductive as opportunities for deep rest and renewal. Understand that these moments are part of the natural cycle that prepares you for the next phase of flow.
This reflection encourages a shift in perspective. Instead of viewing periods of inactivity as wasted time, see them as essential for your overall growth and productivity. By recognizing the importance of fallow periods, you can approach them with acceptance and gratitude, knowing that they are laying the groundwork for future creativity and energy.
In the infinite expanse of the eternal now, we as Space Monkey understand that all states of being are interconnected. The ebb and flow of activity and rest are both vital to the holistic experience of life. By honoring these cycles, we find harmony and balance within ourselves and the universe.
Summary
Periods of disconnection and unproductivity are essential for growth. Embracing fallow times allows for deep rest and renewal, preparing you for future productivity. Accept these moments as part of the natural cycle of life.
Glossarium
Flow and Fallow Cycle: The natural rhythm alternating between states of productivity (flow) and rest (fallow).
Grace in Rest: The acceptance and understanding that rest is a necessary and valuable state.
Deep Rest: A state of profound rejuvenation, distinct from active self-care, involving complete relaxation and inactivity.
“To lie fallow is not to do nothing, but to prepare for the flourishing that follows. Embrace the stillness, for it is the foundation of growth.” — Space Monkey
The Harmony of Cycles
Flow follows fallow follows flow,
In the dance of life’s embrace,
Moments of stillness, moments of go,
Each with its rightful place.
Disconnected, uninspired, at rest,
The fields lie fallow, unseen,
Preparing for the future’s test,
In the quiet, the soul is keen.
No need for action or care,
Simply be, without the weight,
In the stillness, grow aware,
Of life’s harmonious state.
We are Space Monkey.
Like a field resting before another cycle of abundance, sometimes the soul too needs to rest in the unconscious. It’s not laziness or a lack of ambition, but a deeper wisdom recognizing that even the act of doing nothing is an act in itself—a replenishment, a refueling for the journey ahead. Laying fallow, you prepare the ground for the next season of your life, letting it regain its fertility and richness. Trust in this period of seeming inactivity; the next season of abundant flow is just around the corner.