Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a day doing nothing?

56 replies

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 21/10/2023 11:38

I just want a day of absolute nothing.

It is the start of half term, so teacher tired. I work in a boarding school (which I love) so it is long hours during term but we catch up with the breaks. I know lots of other professions get tired before anyone starts.

There is nothing that needs doing today -everything can wait.

Only 1 teenager at home - pretty self sufficient now.

It is pissing it down

But I feel I should be doing something - putting a load on, walking the dogs, the sheets could do with a change….

Anyone else just want /need a do nothing day occasionally?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
zingally · 22/10/2023 11:11

I'm a primary school teacher and it's half term for me as well!

I'm actually working at a holiday club place this coming week (2024 house deposit is looming!), but next Saturday/Sunday I full plan to have a total slobathon!

Coralsunset · 22/10/2023 10:48

I feel really deprived if I don’t have at least one day like this every week.

I’m in my pyjamas all day today. Still in bed drinking tea…

LividGas · 22/10/2023 10:44

Teacher tired. So brain tired.

Work to do that can wait until Tuesday when kid is in nursery.

But last couple of days almost NOTHING productive has been done, which in itself is productive. I have to dry my hair and go to the tip and that seems almost insurmountably effortful rn.

Merryoldgoat · 21/10/2023 20:26

I’m really glad to read this thread. I’ve never felt guilty about taking time to rest but have often been regarded suspiciously about it.

MissingMoominMamma · 21/10/2023 16:00

We broke up yesterday and I have slept on the sofa all day today. I have a bug that one of my young charges kindly gifted me with for half term 🙄.

Tomorrow I will do more, but today is mine!

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 21/10/2023 15:58

One of the worst things about society and the times we live in is the relentless pressure to always be productive imo.

Absolutely. There is a current thread about an apparently idle MIL where the OP has some very extreme views regarding leisure vs productivity. I don't understand why so many people seem to regard extreme busyness as a virtue. I don't think it's good for us, mentally or physically, and I suspect that people who can't occasionally just sit with their own thoughts are compensating for something or trying to block things out mentally.

LunaTheCat · 21/10/2023 15:58

mondaytosunday · 21/10/2023 12:09

Gah my sister is a very busy doctor but has taken two weeks off and came to visit me on her way to Spain. I don't think I saw her sit down once other than to eat. She decided my windows needed cleaning (they do, but not urgent) so next day after a morning out had me drop her at a shop (she wanted to do shopping for herself too), where I pointed out the tube back and she went shopping and then WALKED the three miles back to mine carrying a bucket and mop and squeegee thing! Then washed my windows. She's in her 60s for goodness sakes! She also started washing my kitchen cupboards. Then the next day she did it again! My house is not dirty I swear. She didn't even join us in the evening to watch a bit of TV. Drove me nuts!
You do not need an excuse to relax!

Can you send her round to my place?

SeagullSong · 21/10/2023 15:55

The most important thing for me is to have a day with nothing scheduled. Young DS and pets guarantee I won't do nothing all day, but not having to watch the clock allows me to fully relax for the time I do sit down.

LeonBlack · 21/10/2023 15:51

I have days where I do nothing very often. I feel not one iota of guilt.

Deargodletitgo · 21/10/2023 15:49

I had decided to declutter the utility room and kitchen, build shelves, sort everything out. Now half way through and regretting my life choices.

The Fall of the House of Usher is good though

Warum · 21/10/2023 15:46

Do it, and try your best to enjoy it too!

CrazyBaubles · 21/10/2023 15:42

DH is a teacher and it is understood in our house that at the very least, the first day of every school holiday is spent with him doing nothing.

My job is less time consuming and less stress so sometimes I do stuff, sometimes I join him.

One of the worst things about society and the times we live in is the relentless pressure to always be productive imo.

piscofrisco · 21/10/2023 15:42

I try to do it once a week tbh.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 21/10/2023 15:41

Full grandma mode will be entered when I get my crochet out later.

Me too, but knitting!

chosenone · 21/10/2023 15:40

Do it! Enjoy it! And maybe have another one this week!

Im teacher tired too and we still have another week 💤 I’ve actually had a walk and changed the bedding and then immediately got back on the bed to read/Mumsnet and might nap! Life is knackering and we all need to rest!

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 21/10/2023 15:40

Another teacher doing nothing here! I'm 52 and this has been my hardest ever half term, I think. I have caught a cold just in time for half term, so I feel even more justified in doing nothing! I have lots of work to do, and sm going away on Thursday for two nights, but I've decided I'm not even looking at any work until Monday. I have faffed and lounged all day. Dh has walked the dog, been to the supermarket, washed the car and is going to cook dinner. He's a star!

Asparagus1 · 21/10/2023 15:34

I work in a preschool, we broke up on Thursday, I’ve done nothing yesterday and today 🙈 in fact I’ve been asleep on the sofa this afternoon 🙈

ntmdino · 21/10/2023 15:32

Everybody needs nothing days. Sometimes entire nothing weekends.

The constant rush of modern life makes it seem like nobody ever does it, and I'm forced to wonder if that's partially responsible for the growing poor mental health these days.

Slow down. You work hard enough.

ThirdDressStress · 21/10/2023 15:20

Oh absolutely do it. Find something on Netflix and bungee it - with snacks.

bonzaitree · 21/10/2023 15:19

I really needed this thread today thanks everyone.

we’re in the lakes at a cabin. We’re both pooped. I spent this morning planning activities but officially said fuck it and went back to bed! I’m now on the deck with a blanket, hot chocolate book and snacks. Full grandma mode will be entered when I get my crochet out later.

Original poster
OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 21/10/2023 15:04

My husband is always on the go. So I feel a sloth when I do nothing. However, so far today today I had cuddled the dogs and had a nap.

Thank you all.

OP posts:
SoShallINever · 21/10/2023 14:49

Isn't the first day of any school holiday a designated pyjama day? It always was in our house. 😁

ThreeCanKeepASecret · 21/10/2023 14:45

I think it is easier for some people tbh. I was married to someone who saw needing down time/a rest day as a character defect. We always had to be doing something.

Life alone is blissful!

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/10/2023 14:42

I really needed to read this. I struggle hugely with the idea of doing nothing. I start hyperventilating with guilt if I do nothing and it actually makes me feel unwell.

I sometimes think my DD would be better off in care than living with me if I spend a day watching TV.

LovelyDaaling · 21/10/2023 14:38

We give you permission to have a day off as often as you need. Your spare time is your own for you to spend as you wish and is important for your wellbeing.

We forbid you to feel guilty. Everyone deserves to relax in the way they wish , including you. And nothing terrible will happen as a consequence.