The Art of Doing Nothing

Why is it so hard to do nothing? To simply sit back, leave our to-do list for what it is, and savor the moment?

NOTHING is harder to do than nothing. In today’s world, our value is often determined by our productivity, with constant pressure to optimize our performance.

We’re always in a rush to get to the next thing. From the moment we wake up, many of us grab our phone to check the news, get our coffee on the go, and rush to the office. If we’re lucky and get to finish on time, we might be able to cram in a late-night workout at the gym, and the day is over before we know it. Add to that the stress of the coronavirus pandemic and the blending of personal and work life, and you’re left to wonder: where do we find the time to unwind and let go?

Instead of slowing down, we focus on efficiency, trying to get more done in less time. Surely we must do something wrong, right? This has sparked an entire self-help industry with books and video courses, which we now feel compelled to read and do in the spare free time we have left.

It seems that today, more than ever, what we need to learn above anything else is how to slow down.

How to do nothing.

– RESOURCES MENTIONED IN VIDEO –

– LINKS –

📚 Interesting books to read:

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[ExLibris-Alys]

Finally, something I excel at! ☺️. I’m quite sensitive and also introverted so I’m comfortable with spending time alone and because I can use my time as I wish I often “do nothing”, sometimes for quite extended periods. I love to daydream and let my mind wander, so if I’m not actively occupied in doing something that’s often what I do. I can recommend it.

[enaanand]

slowing down and even doing nothing really is the fastest way to get to where we want to be. because it's when our mind slows down, our thoughts... and so the nudges and the inspiring ideas from our soul can finally reach us, we can finally hear them in the absence of all that noise! enjoyed your video!

[ratgirl]

Yes, people I know ask me ‘What are you doing this weekend?’

When I say ‘I’m not doing anything.’

I get invited to all kinds of things, but I tell them ‘I’m doing nothing on purpose.’

It confuses them, and they think me a slacker, but that’s okay. I like doing nothing very often, it’s relaxing and soothing. I highly recommend doing nothing.

[bamkablam]

I go through phases. Sometimes I am enormously productive. Other times I have epic abilities to do absolutely nothing. There is time for everything... Including nothing.

[alexi.de.charle]

Thank you for this video! It’s often easy to feel guilty for ‘doing nothing’. Simply sitting and being present with the moment can be more beautiful than ‘doing other things’. ❤

[heidimunro]

I spend hours every day doing nothing. 5.30pm onwards it's do nothing time. A bath, peaceful music, reading, lying and kind of semi thinking. I recently started to live alone and find it's altogether lovely. Feels as though I'm expanding into the rooms. There's no loneliness and I've stopped getting sick. I just adore all of this time.

[EP]

I can do that. Me, myself and I in deep talks and thoughts. Sometimes I feel guilty but my over thinking usually leads to something.

[chrissoda]

“Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.” -Winnie the Pooh

[snehaverma]

Loved the video and totally agreed with the 'doing nothing' even if it's for a short period of time that we can take out of our busy lives. I do it every now and then, frequently while I'm eating when i resort to not play something on my phone or tv and just eat in silence ❤

[mamasquid]

I needed this today. I'm drowning in work at a new job, our fridge died this week, everything feels urgent and I'm always behind. Today in the office, I'm going to take it sloooow and see what happens.

[aika]

Watched this video twice - thanks a lot for your helpful videos, I absolutely love it

[SIERRATREES]

Peter, thank you for this thoughtful piece and your effort to collect some really interesting material. For me, I sometimes need to go into deep stillness, where I have a day of not doing anything, not even walking anywhere, no plans except to just have meals and alternate between reading, resting on the couch with some tidying up when it seems right. Doing this creates a feeling of unplugging from the world
which is restorative, and as has been beautifully said in other comments here, allows some original ideas and inspirations to surface. Keep up your great work.

[LahiruGunathilake]

In Buddhism there’s something called sathara sathipattanaya which is very similar to this. Just live mindfully during all day and be aware of your body movements.

[veronicab]

I really enjoy your gentle approach and ideas. I like your style and am so glad that you share it all. Thank you.

[deanpapadopoulos]

Thank you Peter. Very good. Without depth of psychology and an insight to philosophy even the most fundamental phenomena are impossible to understand. You include both here plus the wisdom of a 73-year old award-winning actor and strategies from modern cognitive behavioral therapy and research. You presented this in 00:11 in an entertaining way. It taught me and reminded me that those who have something to say and who have considered their audience in the preparation of their message do not need much time. My guess is that like simple solutions there will be quite a few people who miss it for the simple reason that the solution isn’t complex enough which they presume solutions to be. I hope you’ll keep doing what you’re doing. It’s very helpful. Thank you.

[radiantchristina]

excellent video! thank you for the information !

[MSP]

I miss Jenny Odell's book How to Do Nothing (2019) here. It claims the very same thing that our lives are defined by how productive we are. It's a great book.

[lindaauld]

Thank you for this lovely video!!! I have my lemon water in the morning and then coffee! I try and do nothing doing that !!! Linda

[jimmy]

Relatable and very helpful content, much appreciated

[lynekemmy]

I love your slow living videos 🤗 plus your book recommendations. I decided to take my mental health seriously and your videos have helped me 🙂 . Thank you so much!