Are you happy to spend a day doing nothing?

[ForZanyAquaViewer]

Just that, really. I have a fairly busy life, but I really relish a bit of ‘nothing’ time. Not leaving the house on a Sunday, reading my book and eating a takeaway is really quite heavenly.

I was discussing this with a friend and she was very much of the opinion that she’d feel horrible and guilty if she ‘wasted’ a whole day. The general feeling being that she needed to productive, get out and about, and do stuff. Every day.

I found this really interesting. There’s lots of different kinds of people, and that’s obviously fine. However, in this respect, are you a ‘could never waste a day’ person? Or a ‘happy to lounge’ person? (If you’re a person who would be happy to lounge only after doing stuff, then I’d consider you a ‘could never waste a whole day’ person).

YANBU: happy to lounge
YABU: could never ‘waste’ a whole day

I feel seriously antsy if I stay in all day, especially if the weather is nice

I agree

I always aim to be a human being rather than a human doing

So glad to read about a kindred spirit.,.I just had a nap and will have another probably before sleeping well tonight!

I think once in a while is ok - maybe once a month but anymore than that, I couldn't do. Plus there's too much to be done so couldn't even if I wanted to!!
I think maybe it's mental health related for me and if I stop for any significant amounts of time, I start to plummet so I need to keep busy so I don't.
Though DP and his kids can quite happily not move off the couch all weekend!!! Good job we don't live together 😂

Not every week, but once in a while yes.

Remember the song

I'm busy doing nothing,
Working my whole life through
Trying to find lots of things not to do

I have absolutely no problem with that last line!

I have to have a day of nothing due to my health now. however a day of nothing is so beneficial and needs to be done to allow us to rest. when I was younger my mother would make me feel guilty about it and feel lazy. she is a person that can not sit still and always on the go. sister same. I still get up get dressed though. sitting about in my payjames makes me feel even more sick. I also have to walk the dogs but rest of day would be reading or watching telly.

I work 60 hours a week over 6 days. I enjoy some relaxing time.

I've got a dog so I can't do absolutely nothing all day, but I can easily spend a day pottering about, eating and watching TV. In fact, if I'm feeling a bit jaded I give myself a holiday - get up late, get some food I really like and make a big 'thing' of cooking myself a lovely meal, buy a magazine and sit down and read it with my feet up and a cup of tea. Sometimes I take the dog for a long stroll somewhere picturesque. Sets me up something proper!

But I also know people who can't ever be doing 'nothing'. They are all a little bit worried that they might be superfluous in their own lives and they need to feel 'needed'. A bit sad.

Sunday is my usual sloth day as well. Although if something comes up in terms of a fun activity, I'm happy to drop my sloth day.

I'm not, by nature, a very "people-y" person. But I have a very people-y job. So I find I really do need some decompression time at the end of a week.

My mum always complains to me when she’s ‘wasted’ a day, even when she’s poorly and is recovering, which I’ve never understood. I enjoy having a day with no commitments and I can please myself either by going to them or reading or just watching some easy TV - these days all too rare! I wonder if the people saying it’s ‘wasted’ generally have a lot of time to themselves anyway whereas to me it’s a treat!

But I don't consider leisure activities as doing nothing either. Else swimming, socialising ,gym etc would all be doing nothing.

Doing something doesn't necessarily mean working or doing jobs

I try my best to have a nothing day once a week

or i should say next to nothing, I do a wash load , wash up and make tea - but apart from that I have a full day to do as I please- telly and reading normally

I have to say if I did this more then once a week I would feel horrible.

often during the summer holidays when I’m off work and have more free time I find myself feeling guilty…. I know I shouldn’t because I do work hard for those six weeks !

Posting before reading the thread. I spend most weekends (at least 2/4) sitting at my kitchen table all day in my PJs or lounging clothes reading, drinking tea and doing the washing - moving from machine to tumble and cooking dinner. It’s bliss, I love it, if the DC are around (all teens) it’s when they come and have a chat or similar. Sometimes, I branch out and visit my folks (20 mins away) and go to M&S for tomatoes (and come out with £50 of antipasti or similar).

I don’t actually consider reading nothing though, I consider it an activity as much as anything else and just because I went for a walk and sat on a bench or went to a cafe doesn’t change it.

I have 3-year-old twins. I used to have these days all the time. They are the best days. I've not had one in three years. Your friend is batshit!

Depends on the definition of nothing!

This!

I love days where I can just do nothing at home. I watch tv, read, listen to music and just lounge around. Other than go for a short run, I’ve done nothing today and it’s been lovely.

I don’t mind if people don’t like doing it, but I can’t stand when they call others lazy for it, judge them and tell them it’s better to be ‘busy’ and they just couldn’t justify a full day at home. Busy people who go on about ‘keeping busy’ are really annoying. My mother was one of them, busy being busy and judging others for being ‘lazy’ for spending more than 5 hours sleeping or watching more than the news on tv.

I hate staying home all day. I can’t do it unless absolutely necessary.

Absolutely. My weekends are either full on or fuck all with very little middle ground

My work is manic at the moment so I’m happy to spend some weekends relaxing and catching up on tv box sets

I don’t see a day refreshing as a day wasted but I’m an introvert so recharging in peace is vital to me

I am happy to spend a day reading or writing or watching TV-is that nothing? But I couldn’t stay inside all day-I’d need to sit in the garden or go for a walk or something.

I love having a “lazy” day! I’m not doing nothing, I’m relaxing. I work hard and deserve it once in a while!

Me too. I’m an HR manager so after a full week dealing with people, I’m more than ready to zone out alone.

no I wouldn’t like a whole day of doing nothing. Exercise is so important to my mental health so I’d bet that out of the way in the morning, shop for some yummy food and drinks and then would be happy to do nothing for the rest of the day.
that’s exactly what I did today 😅 and I’m doing nothing now until I go to bed.

But I would never judge anyone for doing what helps them recharge. Looking after yourself is really important so enjoy it x

Had really stressful time lately. Dh is away tonight, I told everyone I am busy, which I am. With self care. Tbf I cook for myself, but I don't consider cooking a chore. I had a nap, watched a movie, nap, scroll online, now about to play some pc game.
Hot hot hot everything shower later and some shitty movie. Bliss
It's crap weather anyway today