It seems as if there is always more to do, so doing nothing can feel like a luxury we can’t afford. Even with quarantine cancelations and schedule changes, we still manage to fill our days with more to-dos.Unfortunately when we refuse to do nothing, we compromise everything.
We can only take so much doing before our bodies say, “enough” and we break down. The break down might not be obvious or dramatic but we lose focus, feel exhausted and struggle to be inspired or motivated. And then we think that we are supposed to feel like this because there is so much to do and feel and be.
Slowing down and doing nothing is a chance to find rest, renewal and delight.
3 compelling reasons to schedule more nothing
1. Margin makes room to better handle emergencies and surprises.
Test fate and plan your day, hour by hour. Don’t leave any room in between tasks, appointments or commitments. Emergencies and surprises consider this an invitation to show up and blow up the notion that you think you run the world. Instead create margin and leave a little room for nothing. The nothing may turn into something and you’ll have time for it. If the nothing is nothing, consider it bonus time for a nap, a walk, or just sitting quietly.
2. Less rushing around makes you a kinder person.
Compare how you feel coming home after a day of back to back meetings with how you feel after coming home from a run or a long walk. Consider how you treat people after constantly reacting to email, social media, people you work with, and your racing mind all day versus how you treat people after you’ve unplugged for a while and given yourself time to be alone; away from people and your digital devices. You are likely more present, softer, and kinder.
3. Time for nothing invites you to remember yourself.
Doing nothing gives you the opportunity to listen to your heart and process ideas and emotions. After a day of non-stop input, you have to recover, shut down, or numb out. Instead schedule nothing if only to give yourself a minute to remember who you are, what you want, and how you want to live.
If doing nothing is hard for you, consider the benefits. Hanging around, puttering, daydreaming or whatever form your nothing takes is restorative for your mind, body, and heart. It’s a gift to you and everyone around you.
