As I sit and write this post, it is Friday and raining here in the ole big apple. Leaving us Gothamites with a lot of puddle filled streets and sloshy shoes. We are also confronted with the usual question, what do to do this rainy weekend?
Well to that I say, NOTHING! Yep, you heard me, I said “Nothing”.
Parents usually have more of a challenge with this, because the never ending to-do list always looms over our heads like a dark cloud. Well I understand that, and being the father of an energetic seven year old, I know turning off and doing nothing is alittle easier said than done.
I write a lot about keeping it moving, essentially how to be more productive and the importance of making the most of your time in life and at work. There is nothing wrong with being productive, and as someone who lives in New York, running and getting things done, is a way of life. But rarely is the concept of doing “nothing” ever talked about, or for that matter encouraged. It is almost a hidden secret that people harbor in fear of being viewed as lazy or unproductive.
When I was younger, it was all about how much I could fit into my weekend. I tended to cram as much activity as I could, so as to have more to talk about on Monday with my co-workers. Flash forward to the present, and as a husband and father that is no longer the case. Today I have grown to appreciate quality down time, and really appreciate sitting and hearing my family tinker around in the apartment. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t always do this as perfectly as I would like, but as I’ve learned there is no such thing as perfection especially when you are contemplating doing “Nothing”. What I strive for some weekends is to really just STOP, relax and just be. To not always feel the need to produce. If we don’t, we simply will burn out, plain and simple. And if burnout happens, then we will not be left with energy to tackle that to do list when it is time, and truly be there for those we care about.
The key is, our downtime needs to be quality not quantity – and by that, I mean allowing yourself permission to be unproductive and not aim to get things done. I mean, if you happen to get something done when you’re resting, then fine do it. But the downtime I’m advising shouldn’t be started with the goal of productivity, instead it should stop the mental wheels from turning and start harnessing internal quiet time to refuel.
It takes effort to do “Nothing” and enjoy. But there is no better time than when it rains. Here are a few ways to make it more purposeful.
1) Read an actual book, not an ebook but instead a good old fashioned paper filled book.
2) Queue up a movie on Netflix, with the family or spouse and don’t do anything else, like checking Facebook, or shopping on Amazon.
3) Indulge in a creative craft
4) Snuggle on the couch with your spouse or little ones, and read joke books to each other. Let me tell you, there is nothing more soothing than having a good laugh over something silly.
5) Play a game, and not a video game, but an old school board game, remember those?
6) Take time to learn about something new. Queue up Youtube and research a topic, activity or skill you or the family can learn. Maybe it’s about a certain period in time, or a really cool DIY project.
7) Go on a leisurely walk, either alone or with your family. This is going to be hard because you might battle the urge to go somewhere in particular but don’t. Instead just roam your neighborhood, and explore the nooks and crannies of your environment.
When you indulge in down time, your productive “To do” time will be so much better. You’ll be motivated to really tackle that to do list, feel recharged, and you’ll remember why you appreciate your life. Essentially we all just need to take a break from work so that we can be better in all the relationships that make up our work/life.
Now it’s your turn. I want to hear what’s your favorite way to have down time? What challenges do you face in finding down time in your work/life? Or, if you are really good at down time, and doing nothing, how do you do it?
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Warmly,
Ed