Embracing 'Doing Nothing' for Creatives: Why & How
- Adilla
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
'Doing nothing'—Have you ever had a day where you literally allowed yourself to completely rest?
This feels timely because just a couple of days ago, I was watching a TV series where a character was having a 'doing nothing' day. She promised herself not to do anything. Moments later, she was at a crime scene trying to help people.
This hit me instantly because I see myself in that. And honestly, everyone around me, too. We say we'll rest, and then we don't. It's like we've forgotten how, or maybe we just feel guilty when we try.
That's why, to understand why 'doing nothing' is an actual solution for preventing burnout, let's break down all the whats and hows—shall we?
Table of Contents
TL;DR
Creatives can and should use their doing-nothing day more actively, as counterintuitive as that sounds.
'Doing nothing' creates space for amazing ideas, thanks to the rest and pause.
The need for rest is not laziness. And it's not that you deserve it; you have the right to do it.
Why ‘Doing Nothing’?
Doing nothing is technically doing nothing: an intentional stillness that others might find boring or even freeing at times. It is a conscious act of intentionally doing things that are deemed unproductive. It’s not about being lazy; it's about letting your mind and body wander and rest.
This could be a day spent sunbathing while picnicking or sipping coffee while letting our minds wander. Or even something simpler, sitting somewhere, doing nothing, without reaching for something to fill the quiet.
For creatives, doing nothing actually matters a lot more than we would like to admit. Our mind is constantly racing and exposed to all kinds of stimulation. It doesn’t just stop after a day; it’s every day, and that can be overwhelming. Dedicating a day to ‘doing nothing’ helps restore that balance. And that creative spark that we keep on trying to chase? It will naturally come back by just allowing ourselves to stop, rest and recharge.
What Are the Benefits of Doing Nothing?
In this creative industry, where hustling and crunching are the norm, it’s no wonder that burnout is prevalent, with multiple studies and data proving its effects on individuals. This unhealthy work culture makes it so that taking a pause and doing nothing seems alarming.
To break free of this ‘culture’, a collective effort in understanding the benefits of doing nothing and practising it is needed. So, to do that, share the benefits of this non-activity with others.
Boosts Creativity and Problem-Solving
Ever find your mind wandering when you do nothing?
And those ideas seem to come when you’re idly showering or making food?
Allowing your mind to drift or daydream helps spark new ideas and connections. An intentional pause makes room for that. If you find that forcing yourself to come up with new ideas isn’t working, take the time to just do nothing. You’ll be surprised at the connection you’ll end up making.
Enhances Productivity
Taking breaks in between your creative work is encouraged, especially if they’re spent doing nothing. It may seem counterintuitive, as we're taught that more hours mean more output. But letting your mind rest intentionally helps prevent burnout and leads to higher-quality work.
Reduces Your Mental Load
In the same vein of preventing burnout, allowing yourself to embrace nothingness reduces mental clutter, which helps with reducing anxious feelings. It grants a state of calm, a space for your mind to breathe from the pressure of constant stimulation. Imagine carrying a heavy bag as you walk. You’d want to take a break, put your bag down, and get some stretches or a drink of water. Do the same for your mind.
How to Practise 'Doing Nothing'?
Start Small
You don’t need to start right away with a whole day to practise doing nothing. Getting used to guilt-free rest is a journey.
So, if you’re already implementing breaks between your focused time, that’s great! Now, instead of shifting your attention to social media or chatting, take the time to just sit. Do nothing but stare out the window, at the sky or at whatever catches your attention outside your devices. It’s a lot calmer than switching your brain to scrolling mode.
Engage in Passive Activities
Activities like taking a shower, walking, lying down, or just taking in the beauty of nature. It’s tempting to put on headphones and listen to an audiobook or listen to music as you do so, but it defeats the purpose of idleness. It will only add an extra stimulus for your brain rather than letting it do nothing.
Do a Digital Detox
This can be hard at first because the internet has already become a part of our lives. But be patient with yourself. You can build this habit by starting with setting a timer on your most-used apps or using a third-party app like One Sec that stops you from doomscrolling.
Slowly, you can build up from 30 mins to a full day of intentional time away from smartphones and devices.
If you’re unsure of what to do as you detox, embrace boredom! Or, you can engage in analogue activities like reading, drawing, journaling, crocheting or hanging out with a friend or family without a device between you.
What Comes After a Quality Pause?
'Doing nothing' magically rewires your brain with peace and silence. Without time to adjust, you might feel more overwhelmed than before you started 'doing nothing'.
So how do you ease back after an intentional pause?
Stay organised and well-prepared.
Think of it like cleaning your house before going on holiday. You return to order, not chaos, allowing that sense of peace to continue.
A tip for successfully planning this in your work setup is to use tools such as a project management tool. It helps you hold space for clarity when you return, giving you a clear timeline of your tasks and what you should do now and in the coming hours.
Project management software features, like TESSR’s My Work, can help create a focused view that keeps you from worrying about anything but what's shown in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if you do nothing all day?
It can be both restful and sluggish, depending on your mindset. Doing nothing can achieve a mental reset you didn’t expect you needed.
What does Winnie the Pooh say about doing nothing?
“Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.” A quote from Winnie the Pooh symbolising the importance of staying present and listening to the world. Pooh encourages the idea of nothingness as something fruitful and necessary.
What does 'doing nothing’ mean?
Doing nothing doesn't carry the literal weight of not doing anything. It's activities that are considered non-productive and restful. It could mean physically doing nothing or doing low-stimulus activities like stargazing or watching the clouds.
Author Bio
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything, from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
Comments