The Art of Doing Nothing: in a Log Cabin in Benton, Pennsylvania

There’s a great book called How To Do Nothing: Resisting The Attention Economy by Jenny Odell. I read it a couple years ago, 2023 I think. It talks about how hard it is for us to, well simply put, do nothing. I felt this recently on a girls trip to the quiet town of Benton, PA. We stayed at my friend’s family cabin in the middle of the woods surrounded by a treasure trove of a moss and lichen ridden forest.

My first ever photograph of a female ruby-throated hummingbird in Benton, Pennsylvania.

I found it hard to resist the pull of my phone and the online world of instagram along with my business to do list looming in my periphery. I make it a strong habit to work several hours a day no matter what day of the week, or where I am so that I’m staying on top of this list. It’s part of my lifestyle at this point owning my photography business, and it is the reason I’m able to work from many a places. I enjoy this aspect of being able to ‘plug in’ from anywhere. However, part of our intention was to ‘unplug’ on this trip. Needless to say, it was hard for me!

“Doing nothing” doesn’t mean literally being idle, it means reclaiming your attention from constant productivity demands. What I enjoyed about doing nothing, was that it gave me permission to observe and be more present. I was present with the pull towards work, and exhaled relief just sitting and talking by the fire with the girls. In her book, Odell emphasizes reconnecting with your physical environment, noticing nature, your local community, and the rhythms of real life. It was the perfect place to do so.

a small waterfall in black and white — One of the first waterfalls on the Falls Trail in Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania.

My most calming source of creativity often comes from the enjoyment of quiet observation. This is my happy place as a photographer. I spent a lot of the weekend taking images of these new surroundings, and documenting the morning dew in the woods. We went on a hike to see some waterfalls too, which inspired me with the way they carve rock and create sound. I haven’t seen a proper waterfall in quite some time!

the out side of the barn market at the lands at hill side farms in Shavertown, PA — https://www.thelandsathillsidefarms.org/

Our log cabin weekend in Benton, PA was a reminder that being in your senses often comes easier when you step away from the noise. Surrounded by forest, waterfalls, and quiet mornings, I was able to slow down time, and experience the day through the smallest of details: a moss-covered forest, the sound of rushing water, the chirp of a ruby-throated hummingbird, and the taste of a smore with two delightfully toasted marshmallows. As a photographer, these moments fuel my creativity far more than endless scrolling ever could. Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a creative retreat, or simply a chance to recharge, Benton’s peaceful charm is the perfect backdrop for doing “nothing”.

Here’s some additional images I took from the weekend :