How ‘Nothing Days’ Help You Process Emotions and Heal
Oct 15, 2025
Do you ever look back on your day and think, ‘But I didn’t do anything!’ Maybe you stayed in your pajamas longer than usual, watched a series, or spent hours just scrolling. Maybe you simply sat, thought, or let the hours pass without ticking things off your to-do list. (I know I’ve done all those things, and more, over the years!)
If that sounds familiar, I want you to know something - it’s completely OK. In fact, it’s more than OK — it’s necessary. Even though it’s common to think that we need to ‘do something’ — to do enough, and be enough — we also need ‘nothing days’. Days where we don’t tick anything off our to-do list; days where we just sit, or rest, or think. And while we might think they are ‘unproductive’ — that’s not the full story.
Rest Is Not Wasted Time
We live in a world that often tells us we should always be ‘productive,’ always hustling, always achieving. But the truth is, our bodies and minds are not machines. We need down-time, thinking time, and quiet time to recharge. (Have you ever felt that you needed a ‘holiday’ after your holiday? Perhaps you had a great time – but were busy, and things happened that you didn’t have time to process. I’ve just returned from a month overseas – and I needed a few days of ‘nothing’ to recalibrate and re-balance – even though I had ‘things to do’. I honoured my body (and mind and spirit) and just rested, until I felt up to doing a little more.)
Rest is not wasted time — it’s actually part of the cycle that helps us heal, grow, and create.
Processing Takes Space
On the days where it feels like ‘nothing’ happened, chances are a lot actually did — but on the inside. You may have been reflecting, processing your feelings, or working through your thoughts, without even realizing it. (Ever thought of doing something, but just can’t ‘make’ yourself? For me, it often means that I need time out — which could be time in nature, or just resting, maybe reading a light book. Often, it’s an indication that I have processing to do — either emotions, or thoughts, or even some healing — or perhaps I just need a rest, to give myself a break.)
This kind of inner work is just as important as the outer action steps you take. After all, if you work all the time, your mind and body can get burned out — resting is required, so we can allow our minds, bodies, and souls to refresh.
Creativity Needs Breathing Room
Sometimes when you step away from the constant doing, your mind has a chance to wander. That wandering can bring fresh ideas, creative solutions, or deeper insights you might never find while rushing around. A walk, a quiet afternoon, or even some ‘lazy’ time can spark breakthroughs. (I know I often have creative breakthroughs while walking, or ‘resting’ — giving our minds a chance to reflect, and allow the creativity to flow through us.)
Alone Time Helps You Hear Your Own Voice
When life is busy and full of outside noise, it’s easy to lose touch with yourself. Time out — whether it’s an afternoon, a day, or even a week — gives you the chance to listen again. You can tune in to your thoughts, your feelings, and the quiet whisper of who you are, and who you want to be. Many a life has changed after some ‘time out’ for reflection.
Oprah Winfrey has stated "Alone time is when I distance myself from the voices of the world so I can hear my own." She wrote that ‘These days I'm often surrounded by other people. I have to interact constantly, so when I get to spend time with just me, I delight in every moment. Alone time is when I recharge and go back to my center, distancing myself from the voices of the world so I can hear my own with clarity. It's when I consciously count my blessings, take a deep breath, and try to absorb the wonder and glory of all my experiences.’
Some timely and soul-opening questions can open up our thoughts. And allowing ourselves the freedom to really consider who we are, and who we wish to be, can open up all sorts of possibilities — that may not have arisen had we kept a strict timetable without the freedom to think, and explore all our options.
Balance Matters
Of course, small, consistent actions move us forward toward our Best Life. But so does rest. Life is a balance between action and pause, between giving and receiving, between doing and simply being. And sometimes, the 'doing' builds up — and your mind, body, and soul need some quiet time — to process, let go, and re-balance. Without rest, action becomes empty. Without action, rest can feel stagnant. Both are needed. (Our blog How to Find the Perfect Balance Between Rest and Productivity has more information on this.)
Please Don’t Feel Guilty
So if you’re in a season — or even just a day — where you feel like you ‘didn’t do anything,’ don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself permission to rest, reflect, and simply be. Potentially you may even think that there's no need to rest, as technically you haven't done a lot lately — however, perhaps your soul or spirit took on some hurt, and needs a little recalibration time. Trust that this, too, is part of your journey.
I’ve felt this myself. After returning from a 'holiday' with friends, I found I needed even more down-time. I needed space to reflect on what I’d experienced, to release what no longer served me, and to prepare for the new that wants to come in. That quiet space was not ‘nothing.’ It was integration of emotions, and growth, even if it didn’t look productive from the outside.
Your Nervous System Needs It Too
Downtime isn’t just about resting your mind — it’s also about giving your nervous system a break. When you’re constantly on the go, your body stays in ‘stress mode,’ which can leave you feeling anxious, tired, or overwhelmed. Quiet time helps your nervous system reset, moving you back into a calmer state where your body and mind can repair, recharge, and restore balance. (For ways to move your nervous system from the stress/sympathetic state to the resting/parasympathetic state, see our article The Surprising Way Scarcity and Abundance Shape Your Physical State. We’ll also be writing one specifically on the nervous system in the coming weeks.)
Optional Ways to Support Your Rest
Of course, rest doesn’t always have to mean doing ‘nothing’ at all. If you’d like a little more structure in your downtime, you could try journaling, meditation, or yoga (yin and restorative yoga are both gentle and healing). These gentle practices can help you relax, process your thoughts, and connect more deeply with yourself. Everyone is different, so take what works for you. If you notice you’re taking a while to process, these tools may support your journey in a more intentional way.
We have a free ‘Meditation for Beginners 7-Day Challenge’ if you’d like to give that a try. We also have a free ‘Stress Release 7-Day Challenge’ if that feels more appropriate for you right now.
Living Your Best Life Is a Journey
Living your Best Life isn’t about being switched on 24/7. It’s about knowing when to take action, and when to rest. It’s about listening to yourself, and trusting that every part of the cycle has a purpose. (Like winter in nature, our mind and body sometimes needs to retreat, and just ‘be’ for a while.)
So next time you have a day where you think, ‘But I didn’t do anything,’ remember this: you did something deeply important — you gave yourself the gift of time to breathe, to think, to feel, and to simply be. And that is never wasted.
🙋♀️ FAQ – ‘Nothing’ Days
- Is it normal to feel guilty when I take a rest day?
Yes, it’s very common — especially in today’s culture that pushes constant productivity. But rest is not laziness. Rest days give your mind, body, and spirit a chance to recharge, reflect, and heal. - How can doing ‘nothing’ help me grow?
What feels like ‘nothing’ on the outside is often deep inner work. You may be processing emotions, thinking through ideas, or simply giving your nervous system a break. This makes you stronger, clearer, and more creative. - Won’t I fall behind if I don’t stay productive every day?
No, absolutely not. In fact, pushing nonstop often leads to burnout. Taking breaks helps you come back with more focus, energy, and clarity — so you actually get more done in the long run. - How do I know if I need time out?
If you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from yourself, it’s a sign you may need a pause. Your body and emotions will often tell you — it’s about learning to listen. - What’s the difference between rest and laziness?
Laziness is about avoidance, but true rest is intentional. It’s giving yourself permission to slow down, restore your energy, and reflect, so you can return to action with strength and purpose. - Can downtime really help with creativity?
Yes, it certainly can! Many creative solutions and fresh ideas come when you’re not actively trying to solve a problem. Rest, play, or quiet time allows your mind to make new connections. (Many of my creative solutions come while walking, or while in the shower, or trying to sleep – all times when you relax, and allow your mind to wander a bit.) - How does rest support living my Best Life?
Living your Best Life is about balance — taking action when it’s time, and slowing down when your mind, body, or soul calls for it. Rest days help you reconnect with yourself, which is essential for growth, clarity, and joy.
References
https://www.oprah.com/spirit/july-2005-what-oprah-knows-for-sure
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Disclaimer
This blog is for general inspiration and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, medical care, or therapy. Everyone’s needs are unique — please listen to your body, and seek support from a qualified professional if needed.
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