Recently, during the mid-winter break, my family and I found ourselves at home together. With several days of snow, frigid temperatures, and our car undergoing repairs, we spent the majority of the week indoors. We ventured out only once to catch a movie and another day to an indoor play center. The rest of our time was mostly spent at home—perhaps a bit too much TV for my liking.
We did manage to engage in a few science experiments, primarily involving cornstarch and dish soap, as well as whipping up a batch of brownies that we thoroughly enjoyed licking the batter from the bowl. If you were to ask me what we accomplished during the week, I’d probably say, “Not much at all.”
But here’s the truth: I loved every minute of it. This week of seemingly doing nothing, filled with family moments, turned out to be one of my favorite experiences. While my social media feed was filled with images of families basking in tropical sun, I found immense joy in our cozy, homebound existence.
At times, I caught myself critiquing our unstructured days. I pondered whether we should have seized this rare opportunity for family bonding with outings to museums, Broadway shows, or more engaging activities like art projects and board games. Should I have prioritized exercise or writing? How could I make this precious time together more meaningful?
Eventually, I let go of those thoughts and surrendered to the flow of our days. I observed the baby engrossed in playing with cars—a current obsession—and the older child engrossed in one book after another, fully embodying his identity as a bookworm. We shared laughter and tickles on the bed and stayed up “late” watching shows like The Mindy Project.
What could be more fulfilling than simply being with the people I love most? In a world filled with pressures to constantly “do” and achieve, especially as parents, it’s easy to feel the weight of expectations. Social media, the so-called Mommy Wars, and societal standards can create a sense of inadequacy.
I felt this pressure when my son expressed his desire to step back from Little League, basketball, or piano lessons, opting instead to do nothing after school. I often found myself questioning whether I should encourage him to engage in more activities. Shouldn’t he pursue outside passions?
But does this 8-year-old—who thrives on reading, writing stories, creating video games, and hula-hooping—really need to add more to his plate? Let’s embrace our “do-nothing” time. Let’s allow ourselves the freedom to just be. There’s no need to fill every moment with activity. We can seek out other engagements when we feel ready.
It’s essential to have faith that life is inherently rich and fulfilling without the need for constant validation from others. No one is scrutinizing our choices as much as we think; we hold the power to design our days. Let’s focus on happiness and savor the simplicity of ordinary moments spent with loved ones. Life is fleeting, and it’s vital to live authentically, cherishing the presence of those we care about most.
So, I encourage you to embrace the art of doing nothing—whether as a parent, a family, or simply as an individual. Just be present with yourself and each other, and everything else will fall into place.
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In summary, a week of simply doing nothing with my family turned out to be a profound experience filled with joy, laughter, and genuine connection. In our busy lives, it’s essential to remember the value of unstructured time together, free from societal pressures.