🔌 The Projector Rest Experiment
Image from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Paramount Pictures, 1961)
As undefined sacral beings, Projectors tend to experience an inconsistent ebb and flow of energy. One moment, we can be crushing our To Do lists, getting so much done in the space of an hour that it veers on superhuman, and the next moment, we’re… well, tired.
The Human Design scriptures are clear in emphasising that with an undefined sacral comes the invitation to hear and honour one’s need for rest and replenishment. When we fail to tend to our need to rest, the downsides are many. To paraphrase Ra, Projectors cannot afford to overburden their systems.
What to do? Get horizontal!
The Projector system is delicate (not to be mistaken for fragile) by nature, and replenishes most effectively when horizontal. That’s right, not leaning back in a cosy armchair, but fully horizontal. Hips and heart on the same level.
One oft-lauded tool in the Projector’s arsenal is the nap. A quick mid-morning snooze, or a little afternoon nappuccino, a nap offers the perfect circumstances for a Projector to revive themselves during an energetic ebb phase.
However, in many of my client sessions, as well as in my own experience as the owner of a thriving service-based business; despite best intentions (and adding it to the to do list), the nap doesn’t always happen. And that is okay. Some days it’s just not feasible, and such is the reality of a modern, busy life juggling different roles and responsibilities, as well as interests and activities.
Enter: WFH (Work-from-horizontal)
In response, I coined WFH (work-from-ho…rizontal) a few years back. The idea is simple: When you think about it, there’s at least one task you do every day that does not necessarily require you to be, well, upright. What if you took that task and performed it horizontally?
Some ideas for WFH-friendly activities:
Posting on social media
Quick email replies (a few words only) from your phone
Studying and learning (say, attending an online class)
Making calls to banks or to schedule dentist or similar appointments
Since the inception of Work-from-horizontal, Projectors all over the world have taken this principle on board. Peep a few WFH IRL moments here. The best set up I have found, by the way, is two firm pillows, a smaller pillow for my neck, and this $9 laptop support from IKEA.
«What if my workplace frowns upon me sending emails from my office floor?»
Now, of course not everyone has the luxury of working from home, with the option of taking some less demanding tasks onto the couch or just straight into bed with you. I also understand that most workplaces look down on daytime napping. (Rude, tbh!)
The Projector Rest Experiment
However, I would venture to say that even those who spend full days out of the house can embark on the Projector Rest Experiment.
Follow these steps:
Identify a small activity or two (doesn’t have to be work-related) you perform at home (or in a space where you have the liberty of lying down) that does not require for you to be vertical. That’s right, pals: Less time vertical in 2023 (and beyond)!
Ideas for such micro-activities include:
Scrolling on social media
Reading recaps of TV shows you’re watching (no? just me? k.)
Reading book reviews or browsing this list to find your next read
Chatting with your friend/goddaughter/far-away sweetheart on the phone
Deleting pictures off your phone
Your daily 15 min in front of the red light lamp if you’re into that kind of thing (I am!)
Swiping on dating apps
Deleting old notes on your phone
Clearing your contacts list
Doing your daily DuoLingo (that French/Dutch/Spanish is coming along nicely!)
Waiting for your face mask to do its magic
Waiting for your dinner to cook
Waiting for your baked goods to cool slightly
2. Build yourself a little horizontal space that’s easy-to-access, cosy and inviting, as per your individual preferences. Ideally, it’s an easy set up and doesn’t require daily prep time. You can have a look at mine when you scroll down a little.
3. Experiment! For the next two weeks or so, get into the habit of performing these micro activites horizontally. Instead of scrolling social media leaning against the kitchen sink, or sitting on the couch and flirting with various dreamboats on Hinge… take that ish horizontal!
The idea is that, when we’re fully honest, most of us spend at least ten to maaany more minutes engaged in some of the above activities. Why not take them horizontal and see how it feels? Check in with yourself throughout: Do you feel more energised throughout the day? Does it help you to have that built-in check-in moment to reconnect and see where you’re at in your personal ebb-and-flow curve in that moment?
I’d love to hear: Send me your insights, and tag me – I’d love to see your cosy set ups!
Here’s mine:
Personally, I’m partial to horizontal time on the floor. I love to just chill on the floor for ten minutes while I catch up on texts or Instagram or just enjoy la belle vue (umm, the ceiling). There’s something so restorative and grounding in that. Also, I ordered one of these neck relaxer contraptions off Amazon last year for extra incentive (feels so good).
A note: Please note that my Amazon links are affiliate links and I receive a small commission from items you purchase from there. As always, you can trust me to only recommend what I love and what I use (and pay for) myself.