In Defense of Doing Nothing
The past few weeks have been busy. Between snow days that disrupted our normal routines, the time change, work deadlines piling up, and family obligations, life felt a little chaotic. On top of that, my brother had been living with us for a while and recently moved out, which meant another round of adjustments for everyone in the house. A lot had changed in a short amount of time.
Even good changes can be exhausting.
The other night I went to bed early and set my alarm for my usual time, 6am, hoping to get back into my regular schedule. Except I didn’t. I couldn’t. I had zero motivation to do anything. I needed to work, but my brain wouldn’t turn on. I intended to clean, but my body refused to stand up. I wanted to play with my kids, but I was irritated and annoyed over the littlest things.
It didn’t make much sense to me. Things had settled down, I had gotten a good night’s sleep, and the house was finally a little calmer. Yet I still couldn’t seem to get going.
That’s when my inner critic spoke up and called me “lazy”!
That's what I was…lazy. My to do list was only growing larger and I was doing nothing.
“Lazy” is an odd feeling. It's part guilt and part shame. “Feeling” lazy is putting a label on all the “shoulds”. But, looking back, I wasn't being lazy. When I started to feel lazy, worthless, useless, I stepped back for a moment and realized I wasn't lazy. I was still exhausted and overwhelmed and stressed. Sure, I got some sleep, but I hadn't given my body and mind the break it needed.
I decided to list out all the things I was doing:
I was still parenting (my own kids) and taking care of some of the house needs (dishes, laundry, unmaking guest beds) and I did have to do some work for my employer (so I could keep my job).
Once I realized all the things I was doing, it all made sense why I was feeling the way I was and the word lazy faded away. I then gave myself permission to do nothing for a bit. To be unproductive.
It turns out there’s science behind this. When we allow our minds to rest, the brain activates what researchers call the “default mode network.” This is the system that helps process experiences, organize memories, and regulate emotions. In other words, stepping away from constant activity actually helps our brains reset and function better.
Being unproductive replenishes the brain’s capacity for life. Resting and relaxing allows your brain to organize its new information which allows you to remember things better and have more room for new things. Studies have also found that short periods of rest can improve focus, creativity, and problem-solving because the brain has time to process what it has already taken in.
Your brain craves variety, so taking a break from work to just go outside and stand still can help recharge you more than you think. Some experts recommend something as simple as a five-minute pause during the day. Step away from what you’re doing, take a few slow breaths, and allow your mind to wander. Even short breaks like this have been shown to reduce stress and improve concentration when you return to your tasks.
Hobbies are great, don’t get me wrong, but the act of doing nothing, checking out, zoning out, vegging out, whatever you call it, is a necessary part of life and we shouldn’t go around feeling guilty for it.
In fact, research on workplace productivity has shown that people who take intentional breaks often return to their tasks with better focus and less mental fatigue. Giving your mind a chance to rest isn’t laziness—it’s part of maintaining mental well-being.
So, the next time you need a break, take some time and do nothing. Stop whatever you’re doing and don’t start something else. If you are doing nothing indoors, don’t start cleaning or tidying up. If you’re outside, don’t pull weeds and don’t make a list of yard chores that need to be done. Try to just be. Focus on you. What’s around you? What do you see, hear, and smell? How do you feel? You don't need to take a long time to be unproductive. If guilt starts creeping back, that’s ok. You can always go back to your schedule and start being productive again. Doing nothing, even for a short amount of time, can be incredibly beneficial to your mental health.
In the coming days/weeks, try incorporating some unproductivity into your day and see how you feel. It leaves me feeling refreshed and calmer. See what doing nothing can do for you.
