I’m Burnt Out and So Are You
Look, I’m gonna be honest here. I’m exhausted. Like, physically, mentally, soul-crushingly exhausted. And I’m not alone. I’ve been talking to friends, colleagues, even strangers over coffee at the place on 5th about this. We’re all feeling it. We’re all running on fumes, trying to keep up with the relentless pace of modern life.
And it’s not just me. Just last Tuesday, I was at a conference in Austin, and the speaker asked how many people felt constantly overwhelmed. Like, 90% of the room raised their hands. It was kinda depressing, honestly. But also kinda reassuring? Like, okay, I’m not alone in this mess.
But Why Are We So Busy?
I mean, what is it with us and being busy? Why do we wear it like a badge of honor? ‘Oh, I’m so busy, I have no time for myself.’ Big whoop. Newsflash: being busy doesn’t make you important. It makes you a stress ball.
I have this friend, let’s call him Marcus. Marcus is always busy. Always. And he’s always talking about it. ‘Oh, I have a meeting at 7am, then back-to-back calls, then I’m gonna grab a quick salad, then it’s off to the gym, then I’m gonna work late, blah blah blah.’ And I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Marcus, dude, chill. Have a damn cookie.’
And get this—Marcus isn’t even happy. He’s miserable. Because he’s always on the go, always chasing the next thing, never taking a moment to just… be.
The Power of Doing Nothing
So, I did something radical. About three months ago, I decided to do nothing. Like, literally nothing. No work, no chores, no errands. Just me, sitting on my couch, staring at the wall. And you know what? It was amazing.
I started small. Just 30 minutes a day. I’d set a timer, sit down, and just… be. No phone, no TV, no distractions. Just me and my thoughts. And it was hard at first. Like, really hard. My brain kept trying to pull me back into work mode. ‘You should be doing something productive,’ it would whisper. But I ignored it.
And slowly, I started to feel better. Less anxious, less stressed, more present. It was like my brain finally got a chance to catch up with itself. And honestly, it was kinda life-changing.
The Science Behind It
Now, I’m not a scientist, but I did some reading (yes, even I can be productive sometimes). And it turns out, there’s actual science behind this. Doing nothing, or ‘mental rest,’ is crucial for our brains to function properly. It helps with memory consolidation, problem-solving, even creativity.
And get this—it’s not just about relaxing. It’s about giving your brain a chance to wander. To make connections it wouldn’t otherwise make. To come up with new ideas. It’s like a mental detox, but for your thoughts.
But How Do We Actually Do Nothing?
Okay, so doing nothing sounds great in theory. But how do we actually do it? I mean, we live in a world that’s constantly demanding our attention. Our phones are buzzing, our inboxes are pinging, our bosses are emailing us at 11:30pm. How do we shut it all out?
First, set some boundaries. Tell your friends, your family, your colleagues that you’re taking some time for yourself. And stick to it. Don’t let anyone guilt you into feeling like you should be doing something else.
Second, find a quiet space. It doesn’t have to be a fancy meditation studio or a secluded cabin in the woods. It can be your bedroom, your backyard, even your car. Just somewhere you can be alone with your thoughts.
And third, be kind to yourself. Doing nothing is hard. It’s unnatural for us to just sit and do nothing. So, don’t beat yourself up if you find it challenging. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to fail. Just keep trying.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some inspiration, check out the election news coverage latest. I know, it’s not directly related, but sometimes reading about other people’s chaos can make your own life feel a little less hectic. (Which honestly nobody asked for but here we are.)
A Tangent: The Joy of Boring Hobbies
Speaking of doing nothing, have you ever noticed how boring hobbies are the best? Like, knitting, gardening, birdwatching. These are the kinds of hobbies that don’t require much brainpower. They’re relaxing, they’re satisfying, and they’re a great way to do… well, nothing.
I have a colleague named Dave who’s into birdwatching. And I used to tease him about it. ‘Dave, you’re just standing there staring at trees,’ I’d say. But you know what? Dave is the most chill person I know. He’s never stressed, never anxious. He just goes out, stares at birds, and comes back feeling refreshed. And honestly, I’m kinda jealous.
So, maybe it’s time we all embrace the boring hobbies. Maybe it’s time we all find something that lets us just… be.
The Bottom Line
Look, I’m not saying we should all become hermits and never do anything again. But I am saying we need to find a balance. We need to make time for ourselves. We need to give our brains a chance to rest. And we need to stop wearing busyness like a badge of honor.
Because at the end of the day, what’s the point of being busy if we’re not happy? What’s the point of chasing the next thing if we’re not enjoying the journey? And what’s the point of doing anything if we’re not taking time to just… be?
So, do me a favor. Take a break. Sit down. Do nothing. And enjoy it.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve written for major publications, interviewed countless people, and have a strong opinion on pretty much everything. I live in Austin with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and I’m a firm believer in the power of doing nothing. Follow me on Twitter @sarahwritesstuff.
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