Do you ever just do nothing?

I love doing just nothing - well maybe a jigsaw, or watch something I missed on tv on my iPad, or read. I try to get the basic chores done first, but sometimes that’s a challenge. Ps. I do go out and do things plus meet friends and family etc, but I do love my doing nothing time too. My daughter hates it when she has nothing to do - obviously doesn’t take after me!

geeljay

Hello ladies of Gransnet. Hope you don't mind an old granpa rejoining. My late wife was a member for some years and we
found your site both friendly and informative. Just nice for me to keep in touch with views and contribute now and again.Regards Gordon.

Welcome!! ?

Yes, welcome, "Geejay " .
I've always wished we had more Grandads on here but I think some are intimidated by our female dominance.
We need the balance of your masculine input. We're different, but we're incomplete without you.

So many people seem to equate being busy with being productive, whilst of course we know that isn't always necessarily the case.

I think lots of people equate busy busy with having a happy life. And some people just keep busy because they don't know how to enjoy their own company, quietly. Or don't like themselves much and need constant distraction.

Sago how awful that was for you.

I'm not sure if I understand what "doing nothing" means, is reading a book "doing nothing", spending hours painting and drawing, walking the dog, riding a horse, struggling with a crossword, watching an interesting or exciting TV programme??? If it is, then I spend the vast majority of my day "doing nothing". I do a minimum of housework, enjoy cooking so it's really not a chore, love gardening but pay someone else to do the really hard work. Honestly, I really don't understand the concept as I am always doing "something" but I try to ensure it's something I enjoy and want to do.

Yes I can do nothing and “drift away with the fairies” with surprising ease ? .

Welcome Geejay. ?

Who calls sitting down to read or watch TV doing ‘nothing’? Maybe they need to look up the meaning of the word.

I’m very proficient at multi-tasking while sitting on the sofa - knitting while watching TV. I will also take up the remote to zoom through the ads, but admittedly I can’t do this while also knitting.

I think it took lockdown to slow me down after retiring in 2019. Everyone told me you have to find things to do and keep busy, which I did and had several short holidays.
Then lockdown and after the initial shock and fear, I really started to enjoy the peace and quiet.
I am now happily relaxed into retirement, I swim and walk the dog with friends and spend a lot of time reading and just pottering in the garden and doing what needs doing in the house, I sew and crochet but all at my own pace and love having empty days of just doing whatever I want and that includes nothing at all.

TBH I find busy-busy-busy people - the kind who like to tell you (or rather boast) that they never sit down all day, exhausting.
I don’t mean those who don’t have any choice - just those who like to say or imply that e.g. sitting down to read is ‘a waste of time’.

Curlywhirly

Welcome jeeljay!
Oh I struggle to do nothing - I'm a real busybee. I wish I could just sit and contemplate, but I have to be doing something. I do however try to finish my jobs by late afternoon and then relax - scrolling on ipad or watching TV (usually cookery programmes or the news). After our evening meal I just watch more TV or read. Gone are the days when after the children had gone to bed I used to get the sewing machine out and sew until midnight!

How many jobs do you have to do, that take you until the late afternoon, every day? ?
I am bemused!

I have a routine on the days I'm staying in. I do chores in the morning, then recover by being on here for a while, then more chores until lunchtime, then I try to relax and do nothing much in the afternoon. I watch tv or read, it's lovely.
Then go to the kitchen about 5-5.30 and start cooking my dinner to eat by 6 usually.

After years of getting up early, doing crazy hours at work it's great to take life easier. It really depends on health what I do but I read and listen to stories quite a bit. Im also a fan of Eventbrite. Pandemic has changed my life considerably, apart from helping out with my grandchild occasionally, my life is much quieter. I meet the odd friend or family member, not as often though. When the weather gets better I will try to get out more and will help husband with the garden. Im not much of a 'club' person.

I really love doing nothing. In fact I need to stop doing nothing get off my bum and this site and get to the gym. Enjoy relaxing everyone and don’t feel guilty.

Having retired 6 yrs ago after working full time for 42 years I wondered how I was going to “fill my time in” as there’s only so much housework you can do in a day. I needn’t have worried as I really don’t worry about having things, or not, to do. The pandemic interrupted all of our lives and I think having to stay at home has affected the way we all live our lives. I’m content to do whatever takes my fancy and don’t worry about it. I’m pleased just to be here to be able to have a choice.

Yes, but not always by choice…nerve problems in my neck, shoulders, arms and hands means sometimes I am forced to do nothing to stay pain free!

I’m the opposite I like to fill my days with things to do or get done otherwise I feel like it’s a waste of my life. I work part time and keep very busy during the week then weekends are mixture of family and me time then the madness starts again. I’ve never been one to do nothing.

Yes ! I refuse to feel guilty about it too ! I still work full time and wish I could do nothing more

Oh yes , I’m very good at relaxing with my crochet at 10 o clock in am with dog for company , in fact I like to say wednesday is my day off since I retired ?

Frequently!

Well im just sat here watching the world go by as I sit with feet up and a coffee, just love it. It's not doing nothing it's observing and putting your mind at to right. I just love it. I admit I never used to do it until I retired, now it is some thing I relish. Enjoy when you get the time, even a couple of minutes in your busy routine helps, just watch. Xxx

I must say I feel a bit guilty reading the newspaper on a morning or doing the crossword in the afternoon as my easy chair is near the window (for the light of course) and sometimes people can see me. I understand totally Grandmabatty about the window cleaner, I suddenly remember I haven't done the ironing and get on with it when he arrives. I have always felt guilty about doing nothing as one netter has said I think it is the Protestant work ethic.

I make it a point to do nothing every day, as a rest.

I think a lot of people won't admit to regularly putting up their feet as (a) from their childhood they were taught that this was lazy (so they still retain some feelings of guilt over it) and/or (b) they don't want friends to think their lives are empty! BUT I saw my mother never rest (even when she was ill she fretted over things not getting washed/tidied, etc) and she died too early. I've seen my best friend burn out and is now in a wheelchair (and still raging because "I can't simply do nothing") - as though resting your body to enable it to relax is "nothing". My favourite poem is WH Davies' poem "Leisure" - says it all really:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.