
Why you should have a Do-Nothing Day
Why you should have a Do-Nothing Day
Sometimes it feels like every minute of every day holds something that needs to be done. That there’s always something you should be doing. Have you ever been in bed on a Sunday night, wishing that the weekend had its own weekend? If this sounds like you, it’s time for a Do-Nothing Day!
What is a Do-Nothing day?
A Do-Nothing Day is exactly what it sounds like. Well…almost. I don’t mean a day where you just sit and stare, David Puddy style (Seinfeld fans, anyone?) It’s not a day where you literally do nothing. (Although it CAN be, if that’s what you need.)
It IS a day where you take a break from all the “doing” in your life…It’s giving yourself permission to rest and enjoy, instead of focusing on everything that needs to be done. Time to spend on the things you don’t normally make time for. A day dedicated to whatever sounds fun at the moment. A day to ignore the to-do list, in favor of a little fun or rejuvenation.
Why on earth is a Do-Nothing Day a good idea?
If you’ve gotten used to always being busy, the idea of taking a day to do nothing might make you cringe. Maybe you’re a little bit of a productivity junkie and taking time off seems foreign to you. I get it and I’m right there with you. I still can’t sit down to watch tv without hearing my mom’s voice in my head telling me to do something productive… (She was limiting my screen time, and that’s not a bad thing, but it followed me right into adulthood!)
But taking a day off of “busy” to enjoy life is worth getting past the initial discomfort of the idea, for several reasons:
A Do-Nothing Day will actually make you more productive. Taking a little time off from doing will re-energize you and when you get back to it, you’ll find that you have so much more motivation!
A Do-Nothing Day is a great self-care idea. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again. It really is okay to take a break! Use that time to take care of yourself and simply recharge.
And because life is about more than just getting things done. While “doing” does get things accomplished, how often do you really remember the days that you spent marking things off your list? Probably not that often. It’s important to take a break from everything now and then and actually live. Everything on your to-do list will wait, I promise. (By the way, if your to-do list is getting a little out of hand, check out this post: How I Stopped Letting My To-Do List Control My Life



How to plan your ideal Do-Nothing Day
It sounds a little silly to plan for a day without plans, I know. If you’ve been with me for a while, it’s no secret that I’m a planner. I make a plan for everything. And a Do-Nothing Day is no exception! Why in the world do I plan for a day that is, by definition, a day without plans? For a few reasons:
First, having a planned day to ignore my to-do list takes away any guilt I would usually feel about not spending the day being productive. I’m not being lazy or avoiding work, I PLANNED to do this.
Also, I like to have things prepared. I’ll make sure there is food in the fridge ahead of time, so I don’t have to worry about figuring out what to eat. I’ll make sure I do a few normal chores a little ahead of schedule so my day off doesn’t lead to more work later.
And finally, I plan it out because it doesn’t happen often and I want to make the best of it!
The first thing to do is decide what your ideal do-nothing day would look like. If you woke up one morning with nothing at all that needed to be done, how would you spend your day? Chances are, this is going to look very different for every single one of you reading this. If you’re an active person, it might involve going for a long hike. If you’re a social person, it might mean brunch, then a street festival with friends, followed by dinner with your besties. Introvert-types might want to stay at home all day and not talk to one single person!
My perfect do-nothing day usually looks like this:
Start the day by sleeping in…no alarms, no rush to get moving. Have a simple breakfast and a quick shower, put on some cozy lounge clothes or pajamas. Curl up on the couch for an ENTIRE movie. (You know, without pausing it every 45 minutes to fold the next load of laundry.) Then, probably spend a little time with whatever I happen to be crocheting, or maybe just reading a book. If I’m feeling particularly energetic, it might mean a little baking or cleaning out a closet that I’ve been meaning to get to. And finally, snuggling up on the couch in front of the fireplace with my husband.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that you plan out each minute of your Do-Nothing Day…that would defeat the entire purpose. But I do suggest at least planning for the following things:
Check the weather
If you want your day is likely to involve outdoor activities, make sure to schedule it on a day that the weather will co-operate. Also, if you want nothing more than a whole day to spend reading, rainy or snowy weather is perfect.
Let your family or friends know you have “plans”
This is your day. You’re off-duty. You’re free to say no to invites and free to accept them if you’d like. Just remember that you’re allowed to have a day off now and then.
Get your supplies ready
If your Do-Nothing day involves baking, cooking, or eating, make sure you have the supplies on hand. Nothing ruins the vibe more than having to unexpectedly run to the store for supplies
Now you’re ready! Take the day you’ve planned and enjoy it to the fullest!