Nothing Really Matters

It was a friend who first clued me in on the importance of doing nothing. I was telling her how guilty I felt for not accomplishing anything that day and she told me she gets her best ideas while doing nothing. Apparently, there’s research to back that up.

We are not built to keep going. We need time to recharge and reflect, to let our minds meander down paths we otherwise wouldn’t if we are always busy. Doing nothing is crucial for creativity and innovation. Just look at history. Archimedes was lounging in a bathtub when he discovered the law of buoyancy. Einstein had a habit of staring into space for hours. Also, why would Newton be sitting under that famous apple tree unless he was doing nothing.

So, my friend and I made a pact. We would schedule in time to do nothing. It’s something I look forward to and I must say I’m very adept at it. I’d sit on a bench in a park and watch the doggos play. I’d throw breadcrumbs into the water, delighting in the way the fishes snatch them up. I’d hop on a bus – a huge plus if it’s a double decker – and enjoy the scenic ride. If it hadn’t been for a rambling walk one morning in mid-June, I wouldn’t have started this journal.

So, go ahead. Give yourself permission to do nothing. If it’s good enough for Einstein, it’s good enough for you.

To quote a very wise bear, “Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.”