In defense of doing nothing: Finding creativity and peace in still moments

So try unplugging from technology, as and when you can. Set aside some time each day without using your phone, tablet or computer. Go for a walk without taking your phone and pay attention to your surroundings—the sights, sounds and smells. It’s a great way to let your mind wander freely. You can also set aside some time to simply sit quietly and do nothing

By Nandani Nigam

When was the last time you allowed yourself to be truly bored? Or quiet, just being with yourself, in silence? In a world obsessed with productivity and profit, are we forgetting the magic of simply doing nothing?

We live in a hyper-stimulated world, constantly surrounded by screens, notifications, social media, and activities. We don’t let ourselves get a moment of stillness, or see ourselves in a situation where we are not doing anything, or proving anything to anybody. Even if we get some time with ourselves, we start to scroll reels or do something to engage ourselves, not even realising that we are essentially wasting time and damaging our emotional intelligence and mental abilities. 

We don’t have time for our own selves. We often think of being quiet in introspection — as boredom; as if it is something to avoid. However, it might actually be the key to unlocking our finest ideas. 

When we allow ourselves to day-dream, to wonder, to imagine,  our minds enter new expanses. We give our minds the space to explore new thoughts, solve problems creatively, and reflect on our lives. Instead of filling every quiet moment with predictable distractions, maybe we should embrace what we think as ‘boredom’ and see where it takes us.

There is also the ‘modern war against boredom’. Today, it’s almost impossible to be still and silent because we have endless entertainment at our fingertips—smartphones, social media, streaming services like Netflix or YouTube. The moment we have a free second, we reach for our phones or watch a new video. This constant access to technology fills up any quiet time we might have, leaving little room for our minds to rest or wander. As a result, we rarely experience moments of stillness or allow ourselves time to simply think.

It’s not just silent introspection that can help us reset and find peace. Sometimes, the simple joy of being in nature, enjoying a good book, watching a meaningful or entertaining film/documentary, or sitting quietly with a friend, can have a therapeutic effect. 

We always don’t need to be day-dreaming to give our minds a break. In fact, moments of stillness—watching the sunset, feeling the grass under our feet, or, sharing a comfortable silence with a friend—can be just as powerful. These experiences allow us to be present, alert and alive to our senses and emotions, we can reflect on our thoughts, and enjoy a sense of calm without the urge for constant entertainment or distraction.

Many associate it with wasted time or discomfort, leading them to seek constant entertainment or productivity, but it is not true because quietness can actually be a powerful tool for self-discovery, creative thinking, and mental clarity. It gives our brain the opportunity to reset and can often lead to fresh ideas and new perspectives. 

There is a special part of the brain that becomes active when we aren’t focused on a specific task. In this state, our minds wander, connecting different ideas, memories and thoughts. This ‘mind-wandering’ can help us solve problems in new ways and boost our creativity. Research has shown that day-dreaming helps people come up with unique solutions; our emotions and thought process is processed. 

Taking short and long breaks from focused activities is important for our mental well-being. When we work for long periods without rest, our brains can get tired, leading to stress and decreased focus. By taking short breaks, we give our minds a chance to relax and recharge. This helps reduce stress, improves mood, and increases overall productivity. A break allows us to return to tasks with a fresh perspective and better focus, making us more effective and less mentally drained.

It is important for us to understand the difference between day-dreaming and mind-wandering. Day-dreaming and mind-wandering are similar, but there is a key difference. Day-dreaming is when you intentionally let your mind drift and imagine different scenarios, often creative or enjoyable. Mind-wandering, on the other hand, happens when your thoughts drift away without you noticing, usually when you are trying to focus on something else. 

Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity perhaps came to him while day-dreaming. So did, perhaps, Isaac Newton’s third law of gravity. Surely, Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali is soaked with days of dreaming. It shows how giving the mind room to wander can lead to great ideas. This quiet reflection can help us learn more about ourselves and what we really want in life.

Read a nice book. Like I read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and wrote a review. I loved the process. Or, Harry Potter. Or, great literature like Aapka Bunty by Manu Bhandari. Certainly, a book by a great historian is rejuvenating — Early India by Romila Thapar.

So try unplugging from technology, as and when you can. Set aside some time each day without using your phone, tablet or computer. Go for a walk without taking your phone and pay attention to your surroundings—the sights, sounds and smells. It’s a great way to let your mind wander freely. You can also set aside some time to simply sit quietly and do nothing. 

Try it, it helps.

Nandani Nigam is Class 10 student of Dr BR Ambedkar School of Specialized Excellence (SoSE), Andrews Ganj, Delhi Board of Secondary Education, Delhi government.