Do you ever just do nothing?

I so wish I had the time. I still work full time and until we have finished getting the house straight (nearly there) I don’t seem to have time for anything. The house is bogging and needs a damn good clean. We are going to Scotland in a few weeks and I am thoroughly looking forward to having the time to paint and maybe do a bit of embroidery ?

oh this thread is so good for me.

I am just learning, over 80! that it is OK
to do nothing!

Well, there's nothing and nothing nothing!

I don’t think it’s lazy either - it’s ‘taking time to smell the roses’

Welcome geeljay. Hope we will keep you informed and entertained!

It takes years of practise but I now have doing nothing down to fine art.

Welcome geeljay. Hope to see you chatting on here lots.

"... A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare."
Last two lines of WH Davies poem

Frequently ‘do nothing’. I’ve. Life full of various activities but actively choose to ‘do nothing’ often - reading, going out for coffee to just sit and watch others or the view and love an afternoon film.

I love structure to my day. Up, shower, breakfast then out and about or busy around the house. Worked in physically demanding jobs for 45 years or more. In retirement We have stopped trying to fill all our days with things to do though and often like a day off to reboot. Even doing nothing can feel like doing something unless we give ourselves the chance to just 'Be' so no guilt in this household. I don't concider it lazy at all.

Totally agree Esspee - am also pastmaster at doing nothing. Having spent my whole life working full time and bringing up 3 children and now helping out with 6 grandchildren - I say to myself- ‘sometimes I sits and thinks - sometimes I just sits’ - do also read a lot.

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.

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

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.

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

Frequently!

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 ?

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

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, 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!

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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’.