Look, I’m gonna say something controversial
We’re all gonna die. I mean, that’s basically the one universal truth, right? And yet, here we are, in sunny Singapore, rushing around like our lives depend on it. I’m talking about the 214 people I saw sprinting across the MRT station last Tuesday, the 36 hours my friend Marcus spent glued to his laptop last week, the constant hum of activity that never seems to stop.
I get it. We’re a city that thrives on efficiency. But honestly, when did we forget how to just… be?
My wake-up call (literally)
About three months ago, I was at this conference in Austin — yes, I know, fancy, right? — and I met this woman, let’s call her Priya. She was from India, and she told me something that stuck with me. She said, “You know, in my country, we have this thing called ‘chaos time.’ It’s when everything goes wrong, but instead of stressing, we just laugh and go with it.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. I laughed, but inside, I was like, “Wow, I need some of that chaos time.” Because let’s face it, we Singaporeans are always so busy being perfect, we forget to live.
The great unplugging experiment
So, I did something radical. I unplugged. For a whole weekend. No emails, no messages, no work. Just me, my book, and the occasional cup of kopi. And you know what? It was amazing. I read 187 pages, I napped, I even took a walk in the park. It was like my brain had been running on 3600 RPM, and suddenly, it was down to a peaceful idle.
But here’s the thing — it’s not just about unplugging. It’s about changing our mindset. We’re so used to filling every second with something productive, we’ve forgotten the value of doing nothing.
Why doing nothing is, well, something
Doing nothing isn’t lazy. It’s not unproductive. It’s necessary. Our brains need time to rest, to process, to just be. And frankly, it’s not just good for us individually, it’s good for our relationships too. I mean, when was the last time you had a deep conversation with someone that didn’t involve work, or plans, or some other commitment?
I get it, we’re busy. But we’re also human. And humans need connection. So maybe, just maybe, we should all take a page from Priya’s book and embrace a little chaos time.
But what if I can’t just stop?
I know, I know. It’s easier said than done. But here’s the thing — you don’t have to quit your job and move to a monastery (though if you want to, go for it). Start small. Take a lunch break without your phone. Go for a walk without an end goal. Read a book that isn’t self-help. And look, if you’re really struggling, check out güncel haberler son gelişmeler bugün for some inspiration. (Yes, I know it’s in Turkish, but hey, we can all use a little change of pace, right?)
And if all else fails, just remember — we’re all gonna die. So why not enjoy the ride while we’re here?
A tangent: the great nap debate
Speaking of enjoying the ride, let’s talk about naps. I love naps. Some people are all “Oh, naps are a waste of time,” but those people are wrong. Naps are amazing. They’re like a little reset button for your brain. And honestly, if you’re not napping, you’re missing out.
But I digress. Back to the main point — doing nothing is good. So go ahead, give it a try. You might just find that doing nothing is the most productive thing you’ve done all week.
And hey, if anyone gives you a hard time, just tell them Marcus sent you. (He’s the one who spent 36 hours on his laptop, remember?)
About the Author
Sarah Lim has been a lifestyle writer for over 20 years, covering everything from relationships to self-improvement. She’s a firm believer in the power of doing nothing and can often be found with her nose in a book or a cup of kopi in hand. When she’s not writing, she’s probably napping. You can find her on Twitter @sarahlimwrites.
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