Sometimes we just don’t feel like doing anything. In fact, we’d like to do things, to have a goal, a passion or even just a desire. But there’s nothing we want to do. And yet, doing nothing seems unbearable. So what do we do in these moments? Here are 4 steps to help you get moving.

1 – Understand why you want to do nothing

Sometimes we feel like doing nothing, because we’re exhausted. Not necessarily physically, but especially mentally and emotionally.

In fact, we no longer have the energy to think or feel. It’s as if we’re empty. And yet, deep down, we’d really like to get busy on something that’s important to us, but there’s just no energy left.

Maybe we haven’t been doing much in our lives for a while, that is, nothing that we do that really nourishes us. It could be that we’ve been distracted for too long in front of the television, a series or a video game.

And, it’s as if we don’t know what to do anymore. We’d like to, but we’ve run out of ideas and energy.

In fact, it’s possible for us to have a creative breakdown.

In the end, we have to understand that this desire to do nothing is either the consequence of too many activities that have exhausted us physically, mentally and emotionally, and perhaps even our creativity.

Or it’s because we’ve fallen into a vicious circle: the less we do, the less we want to do.

And understanding this helps us to stop putting ourselves down or despairing.

Understand that this is a temporary situation. You’ll be able to free yourself from it.

2 – Relaxing

Now it’s time to take a deep breath and relax.

All too often, when we realize that we feel like doing nothing, we panic.

In fact, it’s as if we think this isn’t normal, that we’ve lost our way, that we’ve sunk and that we’ll never get out of this state of apathy.

Stop!

When you feel like doing nothing, it’s essential not to panic, look for someone to blame or make excuses for yourself.

It happens, that’s just the way it is.

In fact, I wholeheartedly invite you to relax. Breathe calmly.

It’s normal to feel like doing nothing. That doesn’t make you lazy, not at all.

Just relax, because it’ll pass. What’s more, it doesn’t have to be a bad time – quite the contrary.

In fact, you can turn this moment into an opportunity to really listen to yourself.

3 – Refocusing when you feel like doing nothing

In fact, this moment of apathy is the ideal opportunity to refocus on yourself.

Because if you feel like doing nothing, it’s because at some point you’ve exhausted yourself or let yourself go.

It’s no big deal. It happens to everyone.

So, right now, it’s important to listen to yourself again. Without guilt, without shame. Just with a lot of curiosity.

Personally, when I feel like doing nothing, yet feel like doing something, but don’t know what, I ask myself this question: “What’s really going on?”

In fact, I’m going to question my boredom, my frustration too. What’s really going on? What do I really need or want?

And what comes up most often is that I’ve forgotten to nourish my joie de vivre. In fact, I’ve been too serious, I’ve chased too many goals without looking after my joy, without taking care of it.

So I wholeheartedly invite you to refocus on yourself during these listless moments.

Go and see what’s going on inside you. Allow yourself to really listen.

4 – Having fun

In fact, when we feel like doing nothing, it’s often because we’ve forgotten how to have fun.

Yes, we tend to be far too serious in our lives. To do everything seriously, to take things seriously.

When was the last time you had fun? Really fun?

When was the last time you allowed yourself to do something that wasn’t serious, that wasn’t reasonable, that you acted like a child, a teenager?

Have fun!

That’s what you need.

But, how can we have fun when it’s been so long since we’ve done it?

There are as many ways to have fun as there are people on Earth. So, I invite you to go back in time: what did you do, when you were not yet an adult, to have fun?

Personally, when I feel like doing nothing, when I’m on my sofa, tempted by the idea of rolling on the floor and despairing (laughs), I remember that’s the signal for me to refocus and have fun.

So, in my way of having fun, there’s always chocolate: either reading a fiction book while eating chocolate, or watching a chick flick while eating chocolate…

What’s your idea of fun?

Enjoy yourself, because it’s joy that’s going to give you energy, that’s going to help you refuel and feel better mentally and emotionally.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover What to do when you’re bored?: 50 ideas for rediscovering joy!
Discover The art of doing nothing: my 6 powerful tips to stopping and taking a breather

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself by Veronique Vienne

In this insightful book, Véronique Vienne explores the art of intentional idleness and the importance of taking time for ourselves. With practical advice and a refreshing perspective, this book encourages us to enjoy moments of calm and leisure. It serves as a guide for those who feel overwhelmed or exhausted, offering ways to find solace and rejuvenation through the simple yet profound practice of idleness.

It’s ideal if you tend to be hard on yourself and need to feel you can relax. It’s a beautiful, soothing book to read and use when you need a reminder to let go. It’s divided into sections that deal with different parts of our lives, accompanied by beautiful, peaceful images. A beautiful book to keep in a place that reminds you to be in the present moment 🙂

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself