The art of doing nothing

Harmony and peace

Lately I have been overly over thinking, working a lot at office and was making my life complicated in general. My brain was constantly under stress trying to brainstorm some issue or keep up with all the reminders and chores or things to be done for people. My mind and my Google Keep was filled with infinite To-Do lists and notes.
I was Googling way too much for too minor things like even "how to chop onions"- as if I am a professional chef and my onions shape matter. I was planning every detail of my day on a micro level. I was spending too much time passively watching lot of videos on Youtube and Facebook.

There was just too much noise and bureaucracy in my life. Too much information.
All information isn't power. All activities aren't progress.

Naturally I had little breakdown.

So I did what any reasonable and responsible adult wouldn't do...I faked sickness and took off from office yesterday.
I woke up late, didn't fret on taking my daily dose of 2 fruits or 3 veggies and just ate whatever was prepared. I didn't read for the sake of reading 30 pages..but just read for fun. I forgot all about the work that needs to be done by next weekend.

It felt good. I got my inner peace for sometime at least.

~

We all need break..not just once in a while, but every day at least for 15 minutes.
No, I'm not talking about being lazy...but about being idle. Not doing anything.

I know most of you might be thinking that "I wish I was as free as you to take a break, but my busy life doesn't let me take a break even for a second".
Why are you busy all the time? All that for what? Do you plan to be busy till you earn some magical amount of money and then relax?
Do you work entire week and have a little mental breakdown by the end of Sunday?
What if you die tomorrow? Even if you love your work dearly, will you be content if you die tomorrow?
Are you living your life? Or just being alive?

I am not saying that work is bad, I am just saying that you need to recharge yourself. You need to have some "I Me Myself" time. You need to relax. You need to have fun.

Now you may say "I already take vacation every six months" or "It's not that we don't want to relax, it's just that we don't have time to relax".

I understand. You need to work. Everyone wants a piece of you. Everything is trying to get your attention - social media, peer pressure, those huge hoardings with 'Sale' signs, Youtube..and other zillion things.
What you need is a noise canceler that can drown all their voices. And even your voice that's urging you to get back into the rat race before you fall behind the world. You need this more often that you think you need. You need to take a break before you get all burnt out.

I'm not talking about the kind of break where you enjoy something with guilt and dread thinking about all your responsibilities which you need to face eventually.
We deserve fun and nonsense and variation and nothing-ness.
"All work and no fun makes Jack dull". Even Earth has different seasons.

Also, that's when you get most of the ideas - in leisure, not when your brain is all clogged up.

• Do nothing for sometime in a day. 
• Detoxify your brain.
• Unplug phone, laptop, TV and disconnect from social media. You can call back later.
• Be irresponsible and immature and laze on the sofa once in a while if you feel like it.
• Schedule time to worry later, instead of worrying eternally.
• Say NO to everything during this time.

If you want to relax doing your favorite activity, then go for it, but just for yourself- just for having that "Me" time. Keep it minimal.

• Listen to soothing music.
• Read a book.
• Sit by the window side and just stare at nature.
• Watch your favorite movie.
• Take a nap.
• Have that favorite food-ice cream or chocolate.
• Get into a warm shower or bubble bath.
• Write into a journal.
• Meditate or pay attention to your breathing.
• Visit a Spa
• Talk to your best friend.

If you plan to take vacation, then enjoy and relax. Don't spend the entire time to take lot of selfies and videos to blog or post in social media.

“I say never be complete, I say stop being perfect, I say let... lets evolve, let the chips fall where they may.”

                                                                                                                    -- Fight Club

Don't be too hard on yourself and don't forget to smell the flowers :)

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