The Magickal Art of Doing Nothing

At this moment, I’m super frustrated with myself. There is plenty I could or should be working on. I have a business that needs tending, even if the doors aren’t open right now. I have my online teaching schedule to suss out. There are long term goals and plans that I could be putting my time and energy into.

However, I’m doing none of that.

Instead of being super productive, I’m numbing myself by binge watching television shows. Rather than write the next great novel, I’m watching Gilmore Girls for the hundredth time. I could be updating my business’s website, but instead I am checking the global outbreak numbers…again.

Doing Nothing

I’m currently “doing nothing”, but my version of doing nothing isn’t really healthy and it’s not actually helping me. This time of slowing down has made me realize there is a magickal art to doing nothing.

It’s actually okay for us to do nothing. We have been indoctrinated into thinking that we must always be productive, we must make use of our time, we shouldn’t let any opportunity go to waste. Yes, productivity is good. Creativity is good. But so is self care, self soothing, and rest. Being productive doesn’t look one way.

Anxiety

It’s also important to remember that the reason I sit in front of an unedited manuscript and change one word before my brain short circuits and I need to get back to Rory and Lorelei, is because I am in a major state of anxiety. My body is not functioning at it’s highest level. My adrenals are shot and the long term impact of this is not good.

Tools

AND, I know better than this. I have tools that could help me. So, rather than escape to Stars Hallow for another hour, I decided to write this blog with all the suggestions that I too should be implementing right now. Maybe it will help me. Instead of numbing try some of these things:

• Rest – it’s okay to do nothing. There is an art to it for sure, but try by just lounging, or take a nap, or sit in your yard.
• Read – pick up a book and read something delightful and engaging. Go on a voyage and explore faraway lands. Escape from reality for a little bit.
• Meditate – this probably sounds like a cliche, but it’s true, meditation is really good for you. There are lots of apps that offer guided and timed mediation programs to help you get started if this is new for you. Plus, there are hundreds of YouTube videos to help you out.
• Play Music – listen to music you love and find uplifting.
• Dance – see point above, but add dancing to the mix. It will elevate your heart rate and give you a boost of endorphins. All good things for your immune system.
• Hydrate – drink water, drink tea, keep yourself hydrated.
• Journal – write it down, get it out of your head, put it somewhere.
• Breathe – try this: breathe in; two, three, four – hold; two, three, four – breathe out; two, three, four – hold; two, three, four – repeat for at least five minutes.
• Go Outside – sit in your backyard or front porch for at least thirty minutes a day. If you don’t have a yard, open a window and feel the air on your face.
• Pray – call upon your ancestors, deities, spirits, allies, or any other spiritual force, to help you, your loved ones, your community, and the world to get through this.
• Magick – light candles, do spells, use sigils, create a working and share it with your coven for immune strength, healing, and slowing down the virus.
• Stay Off Social Media – don’t check the virus numbers every hour, don’t read every post about how bad it is, slow down your consumption of trauma.
• Bathe – take a shower or a bath, at least, every other day. You don’t have to wash your hair and shave your legs, unless that helps you, but at least get in the water.
• Eat Real Meals – make the most nutritious food you can and eat a full meal at least twice a day. Consider increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Go Slower – our modern world typically moves pretty fast, we have a unique opportunity to move a little bit slower right now. Take advantage of that, if you can.
• Talk to Your Loved Ones – use technology to help you stay connected to your loved ones. Set up chat dates or video check ins, share your feelings, fears, epiphanies, anything you need to get off of your chest.

Do Nothing

We are playing a long game here. The better you set yourself up now with good habits, the easier it will be as time goes on. We are at the beginning of this and it is going to take awhile to get better. Don’t dwell on what you can’t change right now. Allow yourself to do nothing in a way that is the most positive and helpful for your circumstance.

Take good care of yourselves.