Stockpile Nothing / by Alexander Lyadov

Create Something from Nothing.

The phrase describes the creative act — and after it, much becomes clear.

But what happens in that very moment?

Yesterday I looked at this metaphor through the lens of construction and realized:

Before you can build anything, you need raw material.

In this case, the raw material is Nothing.

Emptiness. Zero. Void.

Somehow, you have to build up a supply of Nothing.

And not just enough, but a surplus.

Because it would be foolish to begin something this important only to discover a deficit of... Nothing.

That sounds wild — but stay with it.

Where and how do you obtain this mythical raw material?

There is only one way: become a Unbuilder for a while.

That means not preserving and building, but clearing out, dismantling, letting go.

The gods Shiva, Kali, Surt, and Rudra performed the function of destruction.

It follows that Nothing is the result of turning Something into ash.

Something that has already grown obsolete, outlived its purpose, decayed, and lost its meaning and form.

Practical actions:

  • ​take a pause.

  • forgive an offense.

  • confess a sin.

  • shred stacks of papers.

  • give away old clothes.

  • leave a dead-end job.

  • say goodbye to illusions.

  • give away what's been sitting unused.

  • stop fixing what should be thrown out.

  • replace "might come in handy" with "trash."

  • stop watering what won't grow on its own.

Sincerely yours,​

​-Alexander​


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