“Doing Nothing” is Resistance

“Nothing time” might just be the most radical productivity habit you can add to your schedule.

Photo by Emma Frances Logan on Unsplash

Idleness is the new productivity hack. But it takes real discipline and courage to defy the tyranny of busyness. When I’m out for mindful walks in the morning, I battle the urge to reach out for my phone. I yearn to be fully present in nature and let my thoughts wander freely. But the constant resistance between connection and presence is real.

I like what Greek historian and geographer Herodotus once said, “If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it. Each time I resist the phone, I get closer to that immersive relaxed experience.

My morning walks are a sacred ritual, a time to reconnect with myself. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do for your mental sanity, energy levels, and even your work itself is to actively choose inactivity. Resistance is how I walk unburdened, truly absorb the sights and sounds of nature and disconnect to truly reconnect.

Resisting the urge to “do something” all the time is the real struggle. Idleness is the resistance. But that intentional pause and a conscious unplugging from the constant stimulation will do wonders…