We all have different words for doing nothing. Some of us putter, potter or tinker. And then there is the Italian, “Dolce Far Niente” – the sweetness of doing nothing.

I feel like doing nothing today
I recently became a proud member of the Do Nothing Club. Of course, this isn’t an actual club. I’m an introvert and don’t join or start clubs, but I do like the idea of doing nothing with you … together but alone.

Some people didn’t understand my desire to do nothing. They assumed do nothing meant do nothing all the time.

Doing nothing gives us the energy to do something.
The thought of doing nothing can be scary. It was for me.

When I was focused on doing it all, I rarely took time to do nothing. I ran at an unsustainable pace, multi-tasking my way through the day, and enjoying or being present for very little of it.

Because I measured my worth by what I accomplished, doing nothing was a luxury I could not afford.

I learned my lesson though, slowed down and began to embrace …

The Essential Practice of Doing Nothing
Now I do more nothing. Not all nothing, but more nothing. We have to stop assuming never, aways, none or all. There is so much in between.

Here’s how to implement the essential practice of doing nothing into your life.

1. Schedule it. Put (at least) a tiny block of “do nothing” on your calendar every single day. You don’t have to determine how you’ll spend your do nothing time in advance. This “do nothing” time will look different for everyone. Read a book, take a bath, stare at the stars, or simply rest. Do what helps you refuel and recover.

2. Say goodbye to guilt. You aren’t choosing to do nothing because you are lazy, but because it’s essential to your health and happiness. You are choosing to do nothing because you are not a robot and because you’ve done enough already.

If we want to have energy to show up for the things that matter to us, we need guilt-free common sense to rest in between.

3. Recognize the difference between nothing and numbing. Escaping your busy life with substances and activities that help you numb out does the opposite of intentionally doing nothing. It drags you down and continues to deplete you.

4. Do the math. If you are thinking, I don’t have time to do nothing, remind yourself that you’ll spend less time doing other things if you approach them with ease and clarity. You can’t do that when you are worn out. Good work doesn’t come from someone who is overworked.

By taking time to do nothing, you’ll be more present for the people you love and more engaged in work you care about.

5. Change your measuring system. Measure less by what’s on your calendar and more by what’s on your heart.

Do Nothing Club
Do you want to join my club? 😍

There are no fees, meetings or obligations.

All you have to do to join is schedule some glorious nothing on your calendar.

Who’s in?

xo,

by Courtney Carver