During weekends and school breaks, I often liken myself to a land-based version of a cruise director. Much like the character Julie from the classic television show, I feel a sense of responsibility to keep my family engaged and entertained. Our weekends usually resemble a whirlwind, with my partner and I juggling multiple activities across town. Between children’s sports, social gatherings, and homework, genuine downtime is a rare commodity.
Whenever I spot an open slot in our calendar—be it a few hours or an entire day—I instinctively feel compelled to fill it with planned activities. This might involve organizing trips to relatives’ homes or family outings. It can be quite the challenge to cater to everyone’s interests, but I believe it’s my duty to ensure we’re enjoying our time together. The thought of wasting a free day feels unacceptable.
I maintain a large calendar in the kitchen, where I jot down all family commitments. It often appears cluttered, with boxes overflowing with events. However, one Saturday morning, while sipping my first cup of coffee, I noticed that February 16 was completely blank.
Webster’s Dictionary defines “nothing” as “not any thing.” Following this definition, we indeed had no plans. Surprisingly, I chose to embrace this emptiness. Initially, it felt a bit odd, but on February 16, my family engaged in a day of doing nothing.
Years ago, I read a story to my children titled “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat,” which illustrated how one can create something from nothing. In the tale, Joseph’s coat deteriorates, but he cleverly transforms it into various items, demonstrating resourcefulness.
My kids were intrigued when they woke up and asked, “What do we have planned today?” to which I responded, “Nothing.” Although it felt unconventional, my children quickly adapted to our ‘nothing’ day. They lounged in their pajamas, played board games that had collected dust, and read for pleasure rather than obligation. They even enjoyed a computer game together, bursting into laughter throughout the day.
As evening approached, we all gathered to watch a movie. The highlight was witnessing my children—who usually pass each other in a blur or sit in the car with headphones—spending quality time together and genuinely enjoying themselves. For my partner and me, that was a meaningful experience.
Following that day of relaxation, I reverted to my planning ways. We filled the remainder of our break with activities like attending a hockey game and a short ski trip. Nevertheless, I intend to carve out another ‘nothing day’ in the near future, as it turns out that a day devoted to doing nothing can be quite fulfilling.
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Summary:
Embracing a day of doing nothing allowed one family to reconnect and bond, demonstrating the value of unstructured time. While busy schedules often dominate family life, setting aside time for relaxation can lead to unexpected joy and togetherness.