Look, We’re All Busy. So What?
I’m gonna say something controversial: we’re all doing too much. And by we, I mean Singaporeans. And by too much, I mean we’re running around like headless chickens, and for what? To keep up with Marcus over there who’s always gotta one-up us? Let’s call him Marcus.
I’m not saying we should all become couch potatoes. But honestly, have you seen how packed our lives are? Work, commute, gym, family committment, side hustles, sleep—repeat. It’s completley unsustainable. And it’s not like we’re doing all this to become the next Einstein or something.
About three months ago, I was at this conference in Austin (yes, I know, how very cliché), and there was this speaker, let’s call her Dr. Linda Chen, who talked about the importance of ‘constructive rest.’ I mean, the title alone made me wanna roll my eyes, but she had some points.
What Even Is ‘Constructive Rest’?
So, Dr. Chen explains—well, more like preaches—to this room full of exhausted professionals that ‘constructive rest’ isn’t just about sitting on your butt. It’s about giving your brain a break. Like, actually giving it a break. Not the kind where you’re scrolling through Instagram or watching some reality show. I mean, come on, we’ve all been there. You think you’re relaxing, but your brain’s still processing all that nonsense.
She told us to try this thing where you lie down, close your eyes, and just… do nothing. No phone, no TV, no books. Just you and your thoughts. And if your thoughts are boring, then great! That means you’re actually resting.
I tried it. Last Tuesday, to be exact. I set a timer for 20 minutes, lay down on my bed, and just… was. It was weird at first. My brain was like, ‘Okay, what’s next?’ And I was like, ‘Nothing, brain. Chill.’ And you know what? It worked. I felt… lighter. Like I’d just unloaded a backpack full of rocks.
But What About All the Things We Need to Do?
I know, I know. You’ve got a million things on your plate. But here’s the thing: you’re not gonna get through them any faster by burning out. Trust me, I’ve tried. Back in 2018, I was working at this magazine, and I was determined to be the best editor ever. So I worked 36 hours straight once. Guess what? I made more mistakes than I care to admit, and my team hated me. So, yeah, not the best idea.
So, what’s the solution? Schedule in some downtime. And I’m not talking about the 10-minute coffee break where you’re still thinking about work. I mean real, actual downtime. Like, put it in your calendar if you have to. ’11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Do nothing.’ Sounds silly, but it works.
And if you’re worried about missing out on something important, like sports results news today, then fine, check it later. The world isn’t gonna end if you’re not up-to-date on every single thing that’s happening right this second.
A Quick Tangent: The Myth of Productivity
You ever notice how people love to brag about how busy they are? Like, it’s some kinda badge of honor. ‘Oh, I’m so busy, I haven’t slept in days!’ Congratulations, you’re an idiot. Being busy doesn’t mean you’re productive. It just means you’re busy. And half the time, you’re busy with stuff that doesn’t even matter.
I had this colleague named Dave—great guy, but always running around like a headless chicken. One day, I asked him what he was working on. He listed off like 10 different projects, and I was like, ‘Dave, are you even doing any of these well?’ And he just looked at me, all wide-eyed, like he’d never considered that before.
So, do yourself a favor. Cut out the crap. Focus on what’s important, and give yourself a break. You deserve it.
Oh, and if anyone gives you a hard time about it, just tell them Dr. Linda Chen said it’s okay. She’s basically an expert, and she’s way smarter than Marcus over there.
Okay, But How Do You Actually Do Nothing?
Alright, so you’re convinced. You wanna give this ‘doing nothing’ thing a shot. But how? It’s not like we’re all trained monks or something.
First off, find a quiet place. No, your living room where your roommate’s blasting K-pop isn’t gonna cut it. Find a spot where you can actually relax. Maybe it’s your bedroom, maybe it’s a park, maybe it’s that weird alcove by the elevator at work. I’m not judging.
Next, set a timer. Start small, like 10 or 15 minutes. You can work your way up to longer sessions once you get the hang of it. And when that timer goes off, you’re done. No cheating.
And finally, be kind to yourself. If your brain won’t shut up, that’s okay. It’s like a muscle—it takes time to train. Just keep at it. You’ll get there.
Oh, and one more thing. If you’re gonna do this, do it right. No phones, no laptops, no distractions. Just you and your thoughts. And if your thoughts are boring, then great! That means you’re actually resting.
So, what are you waiting for? Go lie down. Your brain will thank you.
Oh, and if anyone asks, tell them you’re doing research. For science. Or something.
Author Bio: Hi, I’m Sarah. I’ve been writing for way too long, and I’ve finally realized that doing nothing is way more productive than doing everything. Follow me on Instagram @sarahdoesnothing, where I post pictures of me doing nothing. It’s riveting stuff.
