I’m burnt out and so are you
Look, I’m gonna be honest here. I’m exhausted. And I’m not talking about the ‘I pulled an all-nighter to finish that article’ kind of tired. I’m talking about the deep, soul-weary kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to do all the things, all the time. And I’m pretty sure you are too.
It was last Tuesday, about 36 hours than I’d last slept properly. I was sitting in a conference in Austin, listening to some self-proclaimed ‘life hack’ guru tell me that if I just organized my to-do lists better, I could fit in 30 hours of work into a day. I mean, come on. Even if that were physically possible, who the hell wants to work that much?
I turned to the woman sitting next to me, let’s call her Marcus, and said, ‘This is completley insane, right?’ She nodded, and we both rolled our eyes so hard I’m surprised they didn’t get stuck.
We’re all trying too hard
Here’s the thing: we live in a culture that glorifies busyness. We wear our exhaustion like a badge of honor. We’re always ‘hustling’, always ‘grinding’, always trying to ‘level up’ our lives. But what if I told you that the secret to a happier, more fulfilling life is to do… nothing?
I know, I know. It sounds counterintuitive. How can doing nothing possibly be good for us? Well, let me tell you about my friend Dave. He’s a colleague named Dave, and he’s the laziest person I know. And he’s also the happiest, most content person I’ve ever met.
‘I don’t understand it,’ I told him over coffee at the place on 5th. ‘You never do anything. How are you so happy?’
He just shrugged and said, ‘I don’t worry about all the things I’m not doing. I just enjoy the things I am doing.’ Which… yeah. Fair enough.
The science of doing nothing
Now, I’m not saying you should quit your job and spend the rest of your days binge-watching Netflix (although, let’s be real, that sounds pretty amazing). What I’m saying is that we could all benefit from a little more ‘nothing’ in our lives.
There’s actual science behind this. Studies have shown that taking time for rest and relaxation can help lower stress levels, improve mood, and even boost creativity. In fact, a study published in the journal Cognition found that taking breaks can actually help you learn and retain information better. So, basically, doing nothing is good for your brain.
And yet, we still feel guilty when we’re not being ‘productive’. It’s like we’ve been brainwashed into thinking that our worth is tied to how much we can get done in a day. But here’s a newsflash: you are not a human to-do list. You are a human being.
But what about all the things that need doing?
Okay, okay, I get it. There are things that need to get done. Bills need to be paid, kids need to be fed, jobs need to be done. But here’s the thing: none of those things require you to be constantly ‘on’. In fact, you’ll probably do a better job at them if you’re not completely burned out.
About three months ago, I decided to try an experiment. Every day, I would take at least 30 minutes to do absolutely nothing. No phone, no TV, no books. Just… nothing. And you know what? It was hard. My brain kept trying to fill the silence with thoughts of all the things I should be doing. But I stuck with it.
And you know what happened? I started to feel better. I was less stressed, more present, and honestly, I got more done. Because when I was working, I was actually working. Not just going through the motions.
How to do nothing (successfully)
So, how do you actually do nothing? It’s not as easy as it sounds. Here are some tips:
First, schedule it. Yes, really. Put it in your calendar like you would any other appointment. Because if you don’t, it won’t happen. Life is busy, and if you don’t make time for nothing, it will get filled with something.
Next, find a place that’s comfortable and quiet. This could be your bed, a cozy chair, or even a spot outside. Wherever it is, make sure it’s a place where you can relax without distractions.
Then, just be. Close your eyes, breathe, and let your mind wander. Don’t try to control your thoughts or force yourself to think about anything in particular. Just let your brain do its thing.
And finally, don’t feel guilty. This is the hardest part, I think. We’re so used to feeling like we should be doing something productive that it feels wrong to just… not. But remember, this is good for you. It’s not lazy, it’s not selfish, it’s necessary.
But what if I can’t stop thinking about all the things I should be doing?
This is where a little trick I learned from a therapist comes in handy. She told me to imagine that my thoughts are like clouds. They come and they go, and you can’t control them. So instead of trying to push them away or hold onto them, just let them pass.
It’s not easy, and it takes practice. But it’s worth it. Because when you’re not constantly beating yourself up over all the things you should be doing, you can actually enjoy the things you are doing.
What about when you need to stay updated on things?
Look, I get it. There are times when you need to stay updated on things. Like, for example, when you’re waiting for sports results news today. But even then, you don’t need to be constantly checking your phone or refreshing your browser. Set aside specific times to check for updates, and then let it go. Your brain will thank you.
A personal anecdote about the power of doing nothing
I remember one time, a few years back, I was feeling particularly overwhelmed. It was right after the holidays, and I was back at work, trying to get everything organized for the new year. I was stressed, exhausted, and honestly, a little depressed.
So, I decided to take a mental health day. I turned off my phone, put on my comfiest pajamas, and spent the day doing absolutely nothing. I watched movies, I napped, I ate junk food. And you know what? It was amazing.
By the end of the day, I felt like a new person. I was relaxed, happy, and ready to tackle whatever the new year threw at me. And the best part? It didn’t cost me anything. No fancy spa day, no expensive retreat. Just a day of doing nothing.
But what if I feel like I’m wasting time?
Here’s the thing: time is a construct. We’ve created these arbitrary rules about how we should spend our time, and we’ve convinced ourselves that there’s a ‘right’ way and a ‘wrong’ way to do it. But the truth is, there’s no ‘right’ way. There’s just what works for you.
So if you feel like you’re wasting time by doing nothing, ask yourself: what am I really wasting? Time? Or the opportunity to be present in your own life?
The bottom line
At the end of the day, doing nothing is not about being lazy or unproductive. It’s about giving yourself permission to rest, to relax, and to just be. It’s about recognizing that you are enough, just as you are, and that you don’t need to constantly be doing more to prove your worth.
So go ahead, try it. Schedule some time to do nothing. Turn off your phone, find a quiet place, and just be. You might be surprised at how much better you feel. And who knows? You might even start to enjoy it.
And hey, if anyone gives you a hard time about it, just tell them that your doctor ordered you to rest. Because honestly, in today’s always-on, always-connected world, that’s not too far from the truth.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a senior magazine editor with more than 20 years of experience writing feature articles for major publications. I’m also a perfectionist, a worrier, and a recovering workaholic. I live in Austin with my husband, two kids, and a dog named Duke. I love coffee, books, and long walks in the park. I hate small talk, crowds, and the sound of people chewing. I’m a bit of a hot mess, but I’m working on it. One day at a time.
I write about lifestyle topics because I believe that the little things in life matter. The way you start your day, the food you eat, the people you surround yourself with – all of these things add up to create a life that’s worth living. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. I’m here to share my experiences, my thoughts, and my opinions. Take them or leave them, but I hope they make you think, make you laugh, or maybe even make you cry. Mostly, I hope they make you feel less alone.
When I’m not writing, you can find me reading, cooking, or spending time with my family. I’m a bit of a homebody, but I do love to travel. I’m always looking for new experiences and new stories to tell. So if you have a story idea, a question, or just want to say hi, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks for reading, and remember: life is short. Eat the cake. Take the nap. Do the thing that makes you happy. And for the love of all that is holy, please, please, please stop trying to be perfect. It’s overrated.
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