The art of doing nothing: Why we need to stop hustling all the time
Charu Sharma | Jul 26, 2025, 12:00 IST
( Image credit : Freepik )
In a world where hard work and being always busy are praised, "The Art of Doing Nothing" talks about why we must slow down a bit, relax, and find our own selves again. This article fights the guilty feeling we have when we are still. It shows rest as a bold way to take care of ourselves, and it asks readers to welcome times of no fun, blank spaces, and breaks from the online world. It’s a soft nudge, saying that doing nothing isn't being lazy-it's healing, fixing, and often the strongest action you can take.
If you've ever felt bad and guilty for just laying in bed and doing nothing, you should know many feel the same. In a world that loves being busy, rest looks like being lazy. We live in times where the more you do, the more you win. "Booked and busy" is now the top way to show how good you are, and if your days aren't full, you feel like you're losing. Let's talk about why we need to slow down and why your mind, body, and heart all need a break.
Our time doesn't just work hard but we work all the time. "Hustle and grind culture" took hold. The line between hard work and self-harm grew thin. Soon, being very tired was a sign of high rank. Burnout isn't just about feeling tired. It’s losing heart. It's going numb, getting mad, lacking drive. It's the fear of Monday starting by Friday night. It's crying in the work bathroom. It's not caring about stuff you used to love. Most times, it happens without a sound. We need to stop cheering for too much work and care more for limits. Hustle doesn't always show heart. At times, it just shows you're spent and exhausted. And that's not something to be proud of.
Many people think that doing nothing is lazy. But stop and think: when did you last sit still with no screen, no job, no goal? Doing nothing isn't useless. It's just being human. Actually, stillness and calmness is a key, but often missed, way to get better-mind, body, and heart. When you rest, your body can fix itself. Your nerves calm. Your heart beats slow. Your mind clears mess. And more, doing nothing lets your soul take a deep breath. Often, the best cure is to just lie down, look up, and just be. No talks. No tips to do more. Just... be.
Let's face it: we hardly know what being bored is like. Every time we have a free moment, we grab our phones. In line? Phones in hand. On a bus? Phones in hand. Eating on your own? Phones in hand. Even in bed? Phones in hand till we drop off. But here's a hard fact: our need for non-stop fun is making us more uneasy than ever. Try to sit by your window for 10 minutes and do nothing. No phone. No tunes. No writing. Just... sit. At first, it might be tough. You might feel edgy. Bored. Even mad. But wait a bit. You'll see birds. Light. Smells. Your breathing. Slowly, your mind will calm down.
We've always been taught to work hard for our break. Finish all your jobs. Tick each box. Then, you might sit down. But what if rest wasn't a prize? What if it was your right? Loving rest isn't about not caring for duties. It’s about minding your bounds.
Here’s the way to start:
~ Light a candle and just be for 30 minutes.
~ Look at how the sky changes hues as the sun goes down.
~ Make some tea and drink it slowly, doing nothing else.
~ Take a long shower with music and take your time.
~ Sit on your floor and stretch with no plan.
~ Put on your softest clothes even if you stay home.
These small acts turn into rituals. And rituals make you feel cozy, safe, steady, and calm.
In a world that gains from your tiredness, stopping to rest is a bold move. When you choose to stop, you say:
~ I am not a tool.
~ My value is not tied to what I make.
~ I am not here to always work.
You are taking back your power. Your hours. Your happiness. This is very big for people and school folks who always have to meet demands, deal with feelings, and tackle unseen duties. Your burnout is not your fault-it's built into the system. So, rest. Without feeling bad. Clearly, and without saying sorry. The world can hold on.
So in the end : We are always told to run, to make, to rise, to push. But in all this chase, we forget we are not made of gears. You can sit quiet with no bad feel. You can say no. You can rest - not as a prize, but as your right. So let go of the weight. Turn off. Let the sun touch your face. Look at the dust move in light. Do nothing and sense it all.
FAQs(Frequently asked questions) :
1. We’ve glorified Burnout
Burnout
( Image credit : Freepik )
Our time doesn't just work hard but we work all the time. "Hustle and grind culture" took hold. The line between hard work and self-harm grew thin. Soon, being very tired was a sign of high rank. Burnout isn't just about feeling tired. It’s losing heart. It's going numb, getting mad, lacking drive. It's the fear of Monday starting by Friday night. It's crying in the work bathroom. It's not caring about stuff you used to love. Most times, it happens without a sound. We need to stop cheering for too much work and care more for limits. Hustle doesn't always show heart. At times, it just shows you're spent and exhausted. And that's not something to be proud of.
2. Doing nothing isn’t laziness-It’s restorative
Person resting calmly
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Many people think that doing nothing is lazy. But stop and think: when did you last sit still with no screen, no job, no goal? Doing nothing isn't useless. It's just being human. Actually, stillness and calmness is a key, but often missed, way to get better-mind, body, and heart. When you rest, your body can fix itself. Your nerves calm. Your heart beats slow. Your mind clears mess. And more, doing nothing lets your soul take a deep breath. Often, the best cure is to just lie down, look up, and just be. No talks. No tips to do more. Just... be.
3. Digital Detox: Start by just sitting without your phone
Writing down your thoughts
( Image credit : Pexels )
Let's face it: we hardly know what being bored is like. Every time we have a free moment, we grab our phones. In line? Phones in hand. On a bus? Phones in hand. Eating on your own? Phones in hand. Even in bed? Phones in hand till we drop off. But here's a hard fact: our need for non-stop fun is making us more uneasy than ever. Try to sit by your window for 10 minutes and do nothing. No phone. No tunes. No writing. Just... sit. At first, it might be tough. You might feel edgy. Bored. Even mad. But wait a bit. You'll see birds. Light. Smells. Your breathing. Slowly, your mind will calm down.
4. How to romanticise rest without guilt
Cozy setup
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
We've always been taught to work hard for our break. Finish all your jobs. Tick each box. Then, you might sit down. But what if rest wasn't a prize? What if it was your right? Loving rest isn't about not caring for duties. It’s about minding your bounds.
Here’s the way to start:
~ Light a candle and just be for 30 minutes.
~ Look at how the sky changes hues as the sun goes down.
~ Make some tea and drink it slowly, doing nothing else.
~ Take a long shower with music and take your time.
~ Sit on your floor and stretch with no plan.
~ Put on your softest clothes even if you stay home.
These small acts turn into rituals. And rituals make you feel cozy, safe, steady, and calm.
5. Rest is a Form of Resistance
Calm in chaos
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
In a world that gains from your tiredness, stopping to rest is a bold move. When you choose to stop, you say:
~ I am not a tool.
~ My value is not tied to what I make.
~ I am not here to always work.
You are taking back your power. Your hours. Your happiness. This is very big for people and school folks who always have to meet demands, deal with feelings, and tackle unseen duties. Your burnout is not your fault-it's built into the system. So, rest. Without feeling bad. Clearly, and without saying sorry. The world can hold on.
So in the end : We are always told to run, to make, to rise, to push. But in all this chase, we forget we are not made of gears. You can sit quiet with no bad feel. You can say no. You can rest - not as a prize, but as your right. So let go of the weight. Turn off. Let the sun touch your face. Look at the dust move in light. Do nothing and sense it all.
FAQs(Frequently asked questions) :
- Isn’t doing nothing just a waste of time?
No, doing nothing allows your mind and body to reset. - How can I overcome the guilt of resting?
Remind yourself that rest is a need, not a reward. - Can doing nothing actually improve mental health?
Yes, it reduces stress, anxiety, and restores emotional clarity. - How is rest different from mindless scrolling or binge-watching?
True rest involves intentional stillness, not passive stimulation.