The Pressure of Performance in Hong Kong
From an early age, I grappled with an unsettling worry: was I doing enough? Growing up in Hong Kong—a vibrant, fast-paced city where competition is a way of life—I felt an acute pressure to excel. This relentless pursuit of achievement bred anxiety, shaping my early experiences and mental landscape.
Embracing Mindfulness
In 2012, I found my escape: mindfulness. This practice became an anchor, helping me navigate my own emotional turbulence and sharpening my ability to think clearly. As an educational psychologist, I frequently encounter students grappling with mental health issues. It has become evident to me that introducing mindfulness into our schools offers a vital respite, especially in a city like Hong Kong, where the pace of life can be overwhelming.
Discovering the Space-Out Competition
It was this context that drew me to the Space‑Out competition—a contest centered around the art of doing nothing. I stumbled upon it last year on social media. Founded by Korean artist Woopsyang in 2014, this unique competition challenges participants to spend 90 minutes "spacing out" in a world that often glorifies productivity. Woopsyang highlights the societal pressure to remain perpetually busy, advocating for the importance of appreciating downtime.
Experiencing the Event
Last October, I participated in a Space-Out event in Hong Kong. It took place on a hot afternoon inside a bustling mall. Around a hundred participants sat on the neatly arranged yoga mats, amidst spectators who chatted and observed. The atmosphere was both lively and charged.
Before the official start, we were led through some stretches to prepare our bodies. The rules were simple: we had to remain almost perfectly still, avoiding noise, movement, or the temptation to check our phones. Each 15 minutes, judges would measure our heart rates, adding a layer of anxiety to the experience.
The Challenge of Stillness
As I settled into the competition, I felt my heart racing with nervousness. Rather than succumb to that tension, I chose to observe it, practicing acceptance and mindfulness in the moment. I became aware of the noise around me—the sounds of chatter, the rustling of bags, and the gentle breeze playing against my skin. My mind danced between thoughts about my family and the world outside, but I tried to treat these thoughts like fleeting clouds, watching them drift away.
I focused on my breath and the sensations in my body, striving to absorb my environment while suppressing the urge to move. Despite the competition’s structure, I discovered that rather than simply spacing out, I was engaging deeply with mindfulness, analyzing my inner landscape.
The Competition’s Dynamics
As time passed, I reminded myself that I was being judged, which nudged me into contemplating how one might appear "spaced out." I playfully adjusted my glasses, letting them rest down my nose and consciously adopting a relaxed posture. As the minutes ticked away, I savored every second of this rare moment of stillness—a stark contrast to my typically busy life of balancing work, studies, and caring for my two children.
When the time concluded, I didn’t want to rise; I craved those precious moments of tranquility. Surprisingly, I was announced as the winner—a delightful shock. I recognize that for many, the notion of sitting silently for 90 minutes seems daunting, yet I found it immensely rewarding.
The Importance of Downtime
This experience reinforced a vital lesson: we must carve out time for ourselves amidst our busy lives. In many regions worldwide, there is an inherent belief that to stop is to be lazy, that productivity is the ultimate goal. The Space-Out competition, even for just 90 minutes, granted us the freedom to simply exist.
The trophy I received—a replica of Rodin’s “The Thinker”—now resides in my living room. It serves as a tangible reminder that we should allow ourselves moments of reprieve, where we engage in activities that nourish our spirits or simply relish the art of doing nothing. This practice of stepping back is indeed a precious gift.
