Keep writing Paul, whilst at work, I took time to do nothing. My nothing was reading your work. It's calming to know that doing nothing is actually OK and you need to do it in order to self regulate. That's what my nothing is all about.
Such a great essay! Doing nothing almost resets you in a way. I recently went away on a 3 week trip and barely planned anything which led me to doing nothing (but in front of a nice scenery). I didn’t realise how burnt out I was before this, my mind and body were not connected - since I’ve come back, everything just seems to click. And I’ve whittled it down to the fact that I did nothing for a period of time
Your analysis of capitalism is spot on. My maternal grandfather had a saying I grew up with: ‘If work was such a good thing, the rich would keep it all for themselves’. He preferred hassling at snooker to plumbing. I am proud that I never did any unpaid overtime during my working life and I traded pay for time off. Half-day person that I now am, I have long mastered the art of doing only what I want to do (except paying bills!). Keep sharing your good advice. 🐰
Hi Paul, I am new to Substack, and I came across your writing - it is wonderful and I couldn’t stop reading all of your entries. Thank you for sharing your story, I am so grateful to be able to see into your world. You have touched on so many of my own emotions. Wishing you the best in every day forward - I feel less alone in every essay you write!! Something I have learned in life is time is the most valuable thing we could ever have.
Great piece as I did nothing on Saturday! The outcome was interesting as it's like a social media detox. There is a real feeling of crap you feel when your brain loses the sense of comfort.
My solution thus far has not to do nothing. But to do everything as if it is nothing. To rip away the expectation to chase happiness and release/avoid fear and sadness.
This has taught me to simply be. Regardless of the emotion. Which I've learned is temporary. It's' been incredible how the art of the doing nothing often spurs feelings of gratitude. Maybe it's because our brain has a chance to get off the work trap and back to being human. Maybe it's that simple. Great read!
Really nicely written! I’m 16 and somehow already feel a constant crushing pressure to always be doing ‘something’, so much so that I relish being ill because it relieves me of that pressure and allows me to solely be doing one thing - thinking. It’s nice to be reassured that nothing is normal in the eyes of a sane person whose mind isn’t compromised by work and profit.
I really enjoyed this piece. I’ve been thinking alot about hustle culture and how normalized it is to always be doing something. You’re either encouraged to constantly learn a new skill, find a new hobby, climb the corporate ladder etc. although those recommendations aren’t necessarily harmful, like learning a new skill, I still believe we need to step away from constantly wanting to do more and instead we should stay in the present and in some weird way not think about the present either. Instead, we should take a step back, and like Paul said, sometimes, just stare into space.
I am sure that your post is a provocation to a common belief of working to be accepted. But I am also sure that it's not possible to do nothing. Even when someone looks at a sky he is doing something. Also, the idea to isolate from the world with your family for me is a little incomplete. It's dangerous because someone reading this can conclude that working is bad. I would argue that as humans we continually have to work. But I am sensing an unexpressed rebellious act against a compassion lacking corporate world. I think the solution to this lacking is not isolation, even if the body needs rest. The body will rest anyway my friend, it is just programmed for that. I am not living in one of these realities as yours, so all of this seems fascinating for me. Are you really a bunch of automatons? Also for me the alone time is very important. I separate work from non-work and think about it often. But sitting there in the morning and thinking about my work and how to make something meaningful is very appealing for me. and I don't necessarily exclude doing it during "leisure" times. But I have this conflict about doing work during weekends. For some strange reason, if I do it something inside will tell me: "but you are lonely, my man. Have you still a speck of dignity?" The shared humanity inside me is waiting for my approval, "Do something for others." But Somehow I am coming to the realization that also sitting up there in the mornings sipping hot coffee in right hand and thinking and planning my work activities is also something that will impact the lives of others, in unexpected ways, still indeciphrable ways.
You made me realized what someone told me was true, is that I have to use my time wisely. My youth is gradually drifting away, yet I still waste my time by doing nothing and thinking about the problems and my past.
This deeply resonates with me, and even after discussing this in therapy for the past two years I still struggle to accept “doing nothing”. It’s difficult to allow yourself true peace and not care about the judgement of others.
I’m taking an important exam for my career next week and I’ve put in a lot of study hours over the past two months. But in the past couple of weeks, I’ve not felt the need to keep pushing myself to study after my 9+ hour work day. And instead have been spending my evenings reading or watching a movie. I think “doing nothing” has actually helped me to retain the information better!
Thank you for your comments. I learned about tapering from an athlete who went into a relaxation phase before a big race. Like you say it really helps. All the best in your exams. Paul
Beautifully explained. Understanding the ‘guilt’ is key to putting that word firmly back in its box. I love how you’ve discovered there is so much more to life than that acquisition treadmill we are conditioned to think of as success.
Keep writing Paul, whilst at work, I took time to do nothing. My nothing was reading your work. It's calming to know that doing nothing is actually OK and you need to do it in order to self regulate. That's what my nothing is all about.
I just love that Craig. A+
Such a great essay! Doing nothing almost resets you in a way. I recently went away on a 3 week trip and barely planned anything which led me to doing nothing (but in front of a nice scenery). I didn’t realise how burnt out I was before this, my mind and body were not connected - since I’ve come back, everything just seems to click. And I’ve whittled it down to the fact that I did nothing for a period of time
Your analysis of capitalism is spot on. My maternal grandfather had a saying I grew up with: ‘If work was such a good thing, the rich would keep it all for themselves’. He preferred hassling at snooker to plumbing. I am proud that I never did any unpaid overtime during my working life and I traded pay for time off. Half-day person that I now am, I have long mastered the art of doing only what I want to do (except paying bills!). Keep sharing your good advice. 🐰
Thank you.🐰
"I didn’t say I wasn’t doing anything. I said I was doing nothing." love this
Hi Paul, I am new to Substack, and I came across your writing - it is wonderful and I couldn’t stop reading all of your entries. Thank you for sharing your story, I am so grateful to be able to see into your world. You have touched on so many of my own emotions. Wishing you the best in every day forward - I feel less alone in every essay you write!! Something I have learned in life is time is the most valuable thing we could ever have.
Thank Mione, it pleases me a great deal that these words have a meaning for you. I hope you're having a great weekend. P
Love this (and I did read it slowly), I just wrote my first Substack on why rest is radical as well if anyone wants to take a look <3
omg? this is actually so inspiring in a way
Love this👌 Thankyou, given me food for thought !
Great piece as I did nothing on Saturday! The outcome was interesting as it's like a social media detox. There is a real feeling of crap you feel when your brain loses the sense of comfort.
My solution thus far has not to do nothing. But to do everything as if it is nothing. To rip away the expectation to chase happiness and release/avoid fear and sadness.
This has taught me to simply be. Regardless of the emotion. Which I've learned is temporary. It's' been incredible how the art of the doing nothing often spurs feelings of gratitude. Maybe it's because our brain has a chance to get off the work trap and back to being human. Maybe it's that simple. Great read!
Really nicely written! I’m 16 and somehow already feel a constant crushing pressure to always be doing ‘something’, so much so that I relish being ill because it relieves me of that pressure and allows me to solely be doing one thing - thinking. It’s nice to be reassured that nothing is normal in the eyes of a sane person whose mind isn’t compromised by work and profit.
I really enjoyed this piece. I’ve been thinking alot about hustle culture and how normalized it is to always be doing something. You’re either encouraged to constantly learn a new skill, find a new hobby, climb the corporate ladder etc. although those recommendations aren’t necessarily harmful, like learning a new skill, I still believe we need to step away from constantly wanting to do more and instead we should stay in the present and in some weird way not think about the present either. Instead, we should take a step back, and like Paul said, sometimes, just stare into space.
I am sure that your post is a provocation to a common belief of working to be accepted. But I am also sure that it's not possible to do nothing. Even when someone looks at a sky he is doing something. Also, the idea to isolate from the world with your family for me is a little incomplete. It's dangerous because someone reading this can conclude that working is bad. I would argue that as humans we continually have to work. But I am sensing an unexpressed rebellious act against a compassion lacking corporate world. I think the solution to this lacking is not isolation, even if the body needs rest. The body will rest anyway my friend, it is just programmed for that. I am not living in one of these realities as yours, so all of this seems fascinating for me. Are you really a bunch of automatons? Also for me the alone time is very important. I separate work from non-work and think about it often. But sitting there in the morning and thinking about my work and how to make something meaningful is very appealing for me. and I don't necessarily exclude doing it during "leisure" times. But I have this conflict about doing work during weekends. For some strange reason, if I do it something inside will tell me: "but you are lonely, my man. Have you still a speck of dignity?" The shared humanity inside me is waiting for my approval, "Do something for others." But Somehow I am coming to the realization that also sitting up there in the mornings sipping hot coffee in right hand and thinking and planning my work activities is also something that will impact the lives of others, in unexpected ways, still indeciphrable ways.
This is brilliantly articulated! Really enjoyed it :)
You made me realized what someone told me was true, is that I have to use my time wisely. My youth is gradually drifting away, yet I still waste my time by doing nothing and thinking about the problems and my past.
This deeply resonates with me, and even after discussing this in therapy for the past two years I still struggle to accept “doing nothing”. It’s difficult to allow yourself true peace and not care about the judgement of others.
I’m taking an important exam for my career next week and I’ve put in a lot of study hours over the past two months. But in the past couple of weeks, I’ve not felt the need to keep pushing myself to study after my 9+ hour work day. And instead have been spending my evenings reading or watching a movie. I think “doing nothing” has actually helped me to retain the information better!
Thank you for your comments. I learned about tapering from an athlete who went into a relaxation phase before a big race. Like you say it really helps. All the best in your exams. Paul
Beautifully explained. Understanding the ‘guilt’ is key to putting that word firmly back in its box. I love how you’ve discovered there is so much more to life than that acquisition treadmill we are conditioned to think of as success.