The subversive pleasure of doing nothing
By Cecilia Camacho, Founder and Editor of CC/magazine
Though it may be hard to admit—mainly due to our lack of habit—doing nothing is, in fact, a deeply healthy act. Because always being busy, ticking off lists, replying to messages, endlessly feeding the illusion of productivity, only distances us from ourselves. And that comes at a cost: stress, anxiety, disconnection, creative fatigue.
We live in a world ruled by FOMO—that fear of missing out, of being left behind, of not being where everything (supposedly) is happening. But the truth is, we can’t be everywhere, do everything, or live at full speed all the time. And worse still: trying to do so only takes us further from what truly matters.
In “Bartleby & Co.”, Enrique Vila-Matas expressed it with clarity: “Doing absolutely nothing is the most difficult thing in the world, the most difficult and the most intellectual”. And he was absolutely right. Because truly doing nothing isn’t just lying around. It means existing without the need to produce. It’s about silencing the machinery of doing and facing the void. And that is uncomfortable. We’ve been taught to measure ourselves by what we do, not by who we are. That’s why, without tasks, we feel adrift. But it is precisely in that void where the mind breathes, where unforced ideas begin to bloom.
“Boredom is the space where the mind breathes”, says British psychologist Sandi Mann, author of “The Upside of Downtime”. Her research shows that allowing ourselves moments of idleness, far from being a waste of time, actually stimulates imagination, encourages problem-solving, and reduces stress levels. Numerous neuroscience studies suggest the brain needs “downtime” to consolidate memory, integrate experiences, and generate new ideas. It is in those gaps that great ideas are born, where creativity flourishes.
This way of living on autopilot, always doing or chasing something, also prevents us from simply letting things be. And this is where the insightful words of Juan José Millás come into play. He recently wrote in El País: “The world gives itself to you when you renounce it. Life offers itself to you when you’re not interested”. I couldn’t agree more. Because not doing is also about no longer chasing. It’s about releasing the need to go after everything. And when that happens—when we pause and let go, when we stop trying to control every last detail—things sometimes just happen. Not because we don’t care, but because letting go removes the pressure. It creates space for the unexpected to appear, for the unlooked-for to surprise us.
In my own case, I try to remind myself daily through meditation. And I not only give myself time away from my phone and social media, simply to be, but I also try to accept things as they are, without attempting to control them—even when they’re not to my liking. I make a conscious effort to navigate uncertainty, others’ silences, and expectations. Because, like everyone, the inertia and pace of life and of ourselves often throw us off course. That’s why conscious living is essential—because only from the present moment can you become aware of your reality, your rhythm, and grant yourself permission to stop, to not do, and to discover how good that necessary inaction feels… despite the initial resistance.
Now that summer is here, we have a perfect opportunity to do just that. It’s the ideal time to surrender to the pleasure of doing nothing. To slow down, observe, rest—and also to stop anticipating, planning, or controlling. To discover, as I have, that we don’t need so much or so many stimuli to feel good. That often all it takes is a little space, tranquillity, and less noise.
At least, that’s my experience and my reflection. And I share it with you, just in case you sometimes forget too.
(*) Photo by Brett Sayles.
