The Lost Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing for 10 Minutes

When was the last time you did absolutely nothing?

Not watched television while answering emails nothing.

Not sat on the porch while scrolling through your phone nothing.

Actual nothing.

Somewhere along the way, being constantly occupied became a virtue. We fill every available minute with emails, texts, news, podcasts, errands and an occasional peek at social media that mysteriously consumes 47 minutes.

For mentally overloaded working adults, even relaxation has become another assignment.

Meditate. Exercise. Journal. Practice gratitude. Drink enough water. Get eight hours of sleep.

Seriously? Even relaxing sounds exhausting.

So tonight, try something considerably less ambitious.

Give yourself ten minutes.

Put your phone somewhere beyond arm’s reach. Light a couple sticks of incense. Sit in your favorite chair, step onto the balcony or wander outside.

Then don’t accomplish anything.

Notice the fragrance. Watch the smoke drift. Listen to the sounds around you. Have a cup of tea, a glass of wine or absolutely nothing at all.

There is no technique to master and no goal to achieve.

You’re simply creating a few minutes when nobody gets your attention—not your boss, your inbox, the news or that little glowing rectangle you’ve been carrying around all day.

Ten minutes won’t solve everything.

But perhaps everything doesn’t need solving tonight.

Some things can wait until tomorrow.

Especially the emails.

Your workday ends here.

Enjoy the Zen.