I’m Terrible at Doing Nothing
Look, I’ll admit it. I’m that person. The one who always has to be doing something. Always gotta be productive. Always gotta be busy. It’s like my brain can’t just… stop.
Last Tuesday, I tried to take a break. I mean, honestly, I needed it. I’d been working non-stop for 36 hours straight. So I sat down on my couch, turned off my laptop, and… I panicked.
What do I do now? I thought. I can’t just sit here. I should be working. I should be cleaning. I should be… something-ing.
And that’s when it hit me. I’m terrible at doing nothing.
But Why Do We Hate Idleness So Much?
I’m not alone in this, by the way. We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Like, if you’re not hustling 24/7, you’re somehow failing at life. Right?
I asked my friend Marcus about this—let’s call him Marcus because he’d kill me if I used his real name. He said, “Dude, remember back in college? We’d pull all-nighters, then crash for like 12 hours. And we thought that was normal.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But is that really living? Or is that just surviving?
I did some digging—okay, fine, I Googled it—and it turns out there’s actually a term for this fear of idleness. It’s called “ociophobia.” And it’s a real thing. People actually have panic attacks because they can’t stand the thought of being idle.
I mean, come on. That’s messed up.
The Science of Downtime
So I decided to talk to someone who actually knows what they’re talking about. I met up with Dr. Lisa Chen—she’s a psychologist, not some random person off the street—for coffee at the place on 5th. I asked her, “Is doing nothing actually good for us?”
She said, “Absolutely. Downtime is crucial—sorry, I mean, it’s really important—for our brains. It’s when we’re not focused on a task that our brains can process information, make connections, and even come up with creative solutions.”
“It’s like when you’re in the shower, and suddenly you remember where you left your keys. That’s your brain doing its thing in the background,” she told me.
And honestly, that makes sense. I mean, have you ever tried to force a creative idea? It’s like trying to squeeze water out of a stone. But when you’re just chilling, suddenly the ideas start flowing.
So, basically, doing nothing is good for us. It’s like… brain maintenance or something.
But How Do We Actually Do It?
Okay, so doing nothing is good for us. But how do we actually do it? I mean, it’s not like we can just flip a switch and suddenly become zen masters.
First off, you gotta start small. Like, really small. Maybe just 5 minutes a day. Set a timer, sit down, and just… be. Don’t check your phone. Don’t turn on the TV. Just sit there and breathe.
It’s gonna feel weird at first. Like, really weird. You’re gonna feel itchy. You’re gonna want to get up and do something. But stick with it. It gets easier.
And if you’re like me and you need a little extra push, try setting some boundaries. Like, no work after 7pm. Or no screens for the last hour before bed. Whatever works for you.
Oh, and here’s a pro tip: trending topics popular discussions can actually be a great way to unwind. It’s like mental floss for your brain. You’re still engaging with the world, but in a low-stakes way. It’s a win-win.
A Tangent: The Guilt Factor
But here’s the thing about doing nothing: it comes with a side of guilt. Like, we’re somehow wired to feel bad about not being productive. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because we’ve been taught that our worth is tied to what we do, not who we are.
I was talking to my colleague named Dave about this—he’s a writer, by the way—and he said, “I feel guilty if I’m not writing. Like, I’m wasting time. I’m wasting my life.”
And I get that. I really do. But here’s the thing: doing nothing doesn’t mean you’re wasting time. It means you’re giving your brain a chance to recharge. And that’s not a waste. That’s an investment.
So next time you feel that guilt creeping in, remember: you’re not lazy. You’re not unproductive. You’re just giving your brain the break it deserves.
The Bottom Line
Look, I’m not saying you should spend all day lounging on the couch. (Although, if that’s your thing, go for it.) What I’m saying is that it’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to do nothing. In fact, it’s necessary.
So go ahead. Turn off your phone. Close your laptop. Sit down. Breathe. And just… be.
You deserve it.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with more than 20 years of experience. I’ve written for major publications, and I’ve got the battle scars to prove it. I’m opinionated, flawed, and always ready with a strong take. When I’m not editing or writing, you can find me arguing about the Oxford comma or trying to convince my cat that she doesn’t need more treats. Follow me on Twitter for more rants and musings.
