Essentialism, minimalism, the “KonMari” way — these are some of the more recent well-known ideas that popularize decluttering and describe the benefits they bring. Sometimes, the less we do, the more we accomplish. Finding comfort in less seems abnormal for most. After all, we live in a world that demands every bit of our time and energy, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
There is a yin and yang to everything and this aspect of our lives is no exception. Allow me to explain the negative way. I’m sure to most of you who are reading this, the mere thought of “negativity” conjures up negative ideas and is not a viable way to progress and achieve. That is where the art and logic of it comes in.
In this instance “negativity” doesn’t mean to be downhearted, mean-spirited, or looking at the worst-case scenario. Quite the contrary, negativity means the opposite of the positive things that you do in life but not in a bad way. It’s now time to redefine our perception of negativity.
Redefining Negativity in Four (4) Ways
1. Negative space isn’t “empty”.
Many of us think that the key to getting and staying fit is to be in the gym giving it their all seven days per week. Putting in hard work to achieve something that you want is positive, but the rest days are where you truly grow and improve.
In this case, the rest days are negative at play and not having rest days becomes the traditional and accepted meaning of negative. No rest days lead to burn out, backsliding, and worst-case scenario injuries.
2. Negative Space isn’t “quiet”.
Sometimes things are improved via the addition by subtraction method. As a way to give the thing a chance to breathe. In much the same way, a design needs accents to make it “pop”, lest it all blend together, but almost in the reverse. Declutter your workspace or even your relaxation area and watch your focus, productivity, and peace of mind soar.
The silence only serves to amplify the sounds that will come after, just as the empty space around you gives definition to the other areas.
3. Negative space for the emergence of beauty
Some of the greatest pieces of art ever created rely on negativity. In this case, the masters would paint utilizing the art of shadows. This was called chiaroscuro and without it, the paintings would lack the depth and breadth that the artist was attempting to recreate. Such is your life.
You can either go, go, go, ever faster into the blinding light of the ether, or you can take a step back and breathe in the energies of the negative space of life. That place where you see all of the beautiful things that you often miss in your day-to-day routine.
5. Negative space for the entrance of victory
In chess, there’s a certain comfort in the negative space of empty squares along with the rank, file, and diagonal. Those empty spaces are guideposts to a better position and if planned well checkmate and victory. Spread your pawns out, sacrifice them if you need to, and open up the empty spaces, for the empty spaces are the openings that lead to victory.
TAKEAWAYS
Negativity is not “bad” or “weak”. Reframing our perspectives to what negativity is, is actually a strategic mindset move employed by numerous top performers in life, to achieve mental focus and greatness in all they do.
They all understood the four (4) perspectives of negative space.
- They take rest to create space.
- They know space amplifies sound and in turn, focus, productivity, and inner peace.
- They create space to allow depth, breadth, and light to illuminate.
- They create space to allow victory to take place.
There’s beauty in simplicity. There’s simplicity in emptiness. There is a certain peace and beauty in the negative spaces of life.
“When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand.”- Bruce Lee
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