Confessions of a Recovering Overachiever
Look, I’ll just say it: I’m a terrible person to be around on vacation. Honestly, it’s my biggest flaw. I’m that guy who’s already planning the next day’s activities by 8:30 AM. I’ve been like this since forever. Remember that time in 2015 when we went to that cabin in the woods, and I brought a 36-page itinerary? Yeah, that was me. And I’m not proud of it.
But here’s the thing: I’m trying to change. I’m trying to learn the art of doing nothing. And let me tell you, it’s harder than it sounds. It’s harder than that time I tried to parallel park a U-Haul truck. (Which, by the way, was in downtown Chicago during rush hour. Don’t ask.)
So, why is doing nothing so hard? And why do we all suck at it? Let’s find out.
Why We Can’t Just Sit Still
I asked my friend, let’s call her Marcus, about this. We were over coffee at the place on 5th, and I asked, “Why do you think we’re all so bad at doing nothing?” She looked at me like I was crazy. “Because we’re all workaholics,” she said. “We’ve been conditioned to think that productivity is the ultimate virtue.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. I mean, think about it. From the time we’re kids, we’re rewarded for being busy. “What did you do today?” our parents ask. “Nothing” is not an acceptable answer. So, we learn to fill our time with stuff. Any stuff. Even if it’s just mindlessly scrolling through social media.
And it’s not just our parents. Society is in on it too. Remember that time in 2018 when everyone was losing their minds over the idea of “quiet quitting”? People were acting like it was some kind of radical concept. It’s not. It’s just… not working all the time. But no, we had to turn it into a thing. A trend. A hashtag.
But here’s the thing: doing nothing isn’t the same as being lazy. It’s not about lying on the couch all day eating junk food. (Although, honestly, that sounds pretty great right about now.) It’s about giving your brain a chance to rest. To recharge. To just… be.
The Science of Doing Nothing
I did some research for this. (Yes, I know, I’m a hypocrite. I’m working on it.) I found this study by some guy named Dave at a university in Austin. He found that people who take time to just sit and think—no screens, no distractions—are more creative. They’re better problem-solvers. They’re even happier.
But here’s the kicker: it’s hard. Really hard. Like, “I’d-rather-get-a-root-canal” hard. Our brains are wired to seek out distractions. It’s called “the default mode network,” and it’s always on the lookout for something to do. So, when we try to just sit and do nothing, our brains freak out. They start throwing tantrums. “I’m bored!” they whine. “Give me something to do!”
And that’s where the trouble starts. Because we give in. We reach for our phones. We turn on the TV. We do anything but sit and do nothing. And before we know it, we’re right back where we started: busy, busy, busy.
How to Do Nothing (Without Losing Your Mind)
So, how do we break the cycle? How do we learn to do nothing without going stir-crazy? Here are some tips. (See? I’m trying. I’m really trying.)
First, start small. Don’t try to do nothing for hours on end. Start with just 10 minutes. Set a timer. Sit in a quiet room. Close your eyes. Breathe. And when your brain starts whining, acknowledge it. “Yeah, I know I’m bored,” you say. “But that’s okay. I’m allowed to be bored.”
Second, give your brain something to focus on. It doesn’t have to be anything big. It can be as simple as focusing on your breath. Or counting your breaths. Or even just noticing the sensations in your body. The point is to give your brain something to do that isn’t… well, everything.
Third, be kind to yourself. This is hard. Really hard. And it’s okay if you don’t get it right away. It’s okay if you give in to the temptation to check your phone. It’s okay if you find yourself planning your next vacation while you’re supposed to be doing nothing. Just keep trying. Keep practicing. And remember, it’s a process.
And if all else fails, try some back pain relief exercises tips. I know, it sounds weird. But hear me out. Sometimes, physical discomfort can be a major distraction. And if you can find a way to relieve that discomfort, it can make it a lot easier to just sit and do nothing. Trust me, I’ve tried it. And it works. (Most of the time.)
A Tangent: The Joy of Boredom
Speaking of doing nothing, have you ever noticed how boring it is? Like, really boring? I mean, it’s not like we’re talking about a thrilling rollercoaster ride here. It’s just… sitting. And yet, there’s something oddly satisfying about it. There’s a certain joy in boredom that we don’t often acknowledge.
I remember this one time, about three months ago, I was stuck in a waiting room. And I had nothing to do. No phone, no book, no magazine. Just me and my thoughts. And you know what? It was kind of nice. It was a chance to just… be. To reflect. To think about stuff. And honestly, it was kinda refreshing.
So, maybe that’s the key. Maybe the secret to doing nothing isn’t to fight against the boredom. Maybe it’s to embrace it. To lean into it. To find the joy in it. I’m not sure. But it’s something to think about.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. I’m gonna go try to do nothing for a while. Wish me luck.
About the Author
I’m Jane Doe, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve written for major publications, and I’ve got the opinions to prove it. I’m opinionated, flawed, and always honest. I live in New York with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I’m a firm believer in the power of doing nothing. (Most of the time.)
