Is "doing nothing" a good use of your time?

  I think “doing nothing” is a good use of time. 

Well, taking an intentional, relaxing break is a good use of your time. Accidentally scrolling on Instagram for hours… probably not a good use of your time. Where is the line drawn between “doing nothing” in a way that actually allows you to rest and recharge before jumping back into your daily tasks, and “doing nothing” in a sort of snowball-y way that just pulls you repeatedly away from your responsibilities?

I draw the line at intention. Are you intending to stop, with a purpose to relax, maybe think about something unrelated to whatever work you’re breaking from, maybe to not think at all? Or are you just being pulled into consuming things (for example my personal poisons instagram reels and youtube shorts) that will keep you engaged, therefore not really stopping at all?

We live in a very hustle-oriented culture, I think. There can be a lot of shame around not being able to do everything all the time. 

I mean, for me, I have this vague image, in my own brain at least, of a successful person inherently being someone who is able and willing to keep running forever: completing every assignment, task, and personal duty with gusto. They never run out. They have found some magic inspiration that allows them to just keep going and never look back. This ever-going person is “the ideal”. And I recognize that I’m not like that-- I can’t keep going endlessly, eventually I need to stop and decompress. But then I also feel shame and frustration that I’m not like them, that I apparently need more rest than this paragon of success, so how will I ever succeed? 

The ever-running workaholic is a very narrow definition of success, I realize. And that much running doesn’t even guarantee “success” anyway. If you’re always speeding around, chasing after this task and that, how can you be sure you’re going to get what you want? This ideal doesn’t leave much space for a person to stop and think about what would actually serve them. Because they are too busy filling all of these demands from those around them, what if they can’t realize what they need for themselves? “The ideal” that I’ve constructed needs to take a break to ponder. What do they actually want? What happens, when they reach whatever goal is meant to be at the end of their running? Is it more running? Is all of this speed and stolen time and energy worth what’s on the other side, or would it be more fulfilling to pick another goal that allows you to slow down, and look around you on the journey there?

If “doing nothing” means stopping to look around and just think about those questions, then yes, it's a spectacular use of your time. 

“The ideal” probably isn’t attainable. Most people have a battery, they’ll run out. They’ll have to sleep, or step away, or in some way get out of the constant stream of all of these responsibilities. 

I wonder if that very drive to just keep moving at all costs is what can lead to the seemingly endless periods of “doing nothing.” 

Would the solution then be to plan out these moments of “doing nothing?” Know exactly when you’ll be able to stop and decompress, recognize that time while you’re in it, and be able to step back into the fray when it's time.

It's all about time. 

Anything can be a good use of your time, as long as you’re aware of that decision you’re making.