There are days when I feel like I’ve done everything, and nothing at all. I’ve ticked off boxes, replied to emails, kept up with people, kept things moving… but inside, I feel strangely absent. Unseen. Tired in a way that sleep doesn’t touch.
That kind of exhaustion isn’t about work. It’s about never stopping.
For a long time, I equated rest with laziness. If I wasn’t being useful, I felt guilty. Doing nothing wasn’t an option – it was failure.
But eventually, my body had other plans. I burned out. The noise got too loud. I needed something different.
So I tried doing nothing.
And I don’t mean watching Netflix or scrolling or casually zoning out. I mean nothing. Sitting. Lying on the floor. Looking at the ceiling. Not meditating, not planning, not optimizing. Just existing.
At first, it was wildly uncomfortable. My brain screamed. My limbs twitched. I kept reaching for distractions.
But I stayed.
And over time, I started to hear something beneath the noise.
Why Doing Nothing Became a Kind of Healing
1. It gave my nervous system a break.
True stillness helps me feel what I’ve been avoiding. The emotions I didn’t have time to process. The exhaustion I didn’t want to admit.
2. It helped me reconnect with myself.
When there’s no input, my thoughts slow down. I can actually hear myself. Not the anxious voice, not the to-do list voice, the quieter one underneath.
3. It reminded me I don’t have to earn rest.
Stillness is not a reward. It’s a need. My worth isn’t measured by productivity. It took sitting with myself in silence to begin unlearning that.
How I Practice Doing Nothing
- I lie on the floor or sit in a chair. No music. No phone.
- I set a timer for 5-10 minutes so I’m not checking the clock.
- I breathe. I notice how I feel. I don’t try to fix anything.
- I let it be boring. That’s part of the medicine.
Doing Nothing vs. Avoiding Everything
To be clear: doing nothing isn’t the same as shutting down or checking out. It’s not avoidance. It’s an intentional pause. A way to come home to yourself in the quiet.
For me, it works best alongside other small, grounding habits like drinking water, one-line journaling, or doing one thing slowly. These are all ways I remind myself that being is enough.
> If you’re interested in how small practices like this can shape a more grounded life, explore my Everyday Self-Care Routine.
