I know very few people that do nothing and feel great about it. We live in a world obsessed and proud of the hustle pushed and manufactured by productivity apps, self-optimization, routines, structure and breathing, sleeping, goal trackers. Can we learn how to let all this go, if even for a moment? Can you let it all go? No plans, no pressure, no “shoulds.” If you’re ready to try, here are some ideas you can put into practice. The practice you can implement to feel joy when you are doing fuck all.

First and foremost, allow yourself permission to Dilly Dally. This is NOT laziness. This is more of a reclamation of space. Your time for your sanity. For your overall well-being.

1)    One morning with no agenda. When was the last time you woke up without an alarm? But because your body knew it was time to wake up? (I know if you are a parent you may have your eyeballs rolling around in your head Still, I encourage you to try it for a day. Is it possible? Is it possible just to observe how it feels? How do you want to use this time?

2)    Indulge without guilt. Because you can. Guilt exists to prevent you from feeling joy. There is nothing to be ashamed about. Wear your pjs all day, eat the pizza for breakfast, binge watch a series, read one page and then close the book. Do what you want. Why? Again, because you can.

3)    Sit there. Doing nothing is something. It really is. It isn’t a waste of time or space. It creates more space. Sitting where you are looking at the trees, shadows, maybe sitting on the couch or outside. You are not trying to find yourself. You are here. You are present.

4)    When society says GO, say NO. Rebel and resist the hustle culture. Perhaps we don’t have the luxury to practice this every day, but for one day a week we could give society a fuck off I think. There is so much power in being “unavailable” and being able to say, “I’m doing nothing today.” Try it. Please. No backup plans, no half-doing anything, not busy, but just being.

5)    Finale. When you let yourself do nothing, you really start to experience life less like “a to-do list” and more like life. Moments and time stretch, your breath returns. Your nervous system gives you a big thank you and sigh of relief for this sacred stillness. If you need permission to stop. Here it is.

You don’t need to optimize time and your morning routine.

You don’t need to monetize your hobbies.

You don’t need to earn rest or stillness. You just need to stop. For no reason whatsoever. Without shame.

And at the moment if you are:

Reading this right now because you’re procrastinating. Good.

If you’re lying in bed with Miss Vickie’s jalapeno dust on your pjs. Fantastic.

And if you’re doing absolutely nothing at all. Fucking Perfect.

The truth is we can always find something to do with our time because we feel we “should.” Practicing doing fuck all is necessary because society and (insert everyone that wants more from you here________) is always going to want more. It won’t stop. So, from time to time you can practice saying, Nah…. Fuck em.

Authored by Kavita Patel RSW, MSW & Co-Founder of ReLearning Human