Recently, we enjoyed a mid-winter break where everyone was at home together. With a few days of snow and temperatures dipping below freezing, we found ourselves largely housebound, especially since our car was in the shop for two days. We did manage to catch a movie and visit an indoor play area, but the majority of our time was spent within our own four walls.
Sure, we probably indulged in a bit more screen time than would be ideal.
We conducted a few engaging science experiments using cornstarch and dish soap.
There was also some fun in the kitchen, making brownies and licking the batter.
But if you were to ask how we spent the week, I might have said, “Well, we didn’t do much at all.”
And you know what? I genuinely loved it. This week of nothingness, filled with family togetherness, turned out to be one of my favorite “getaways.” While my social media feed showcased families frolicking in sunny destinations, I found great joy in being cozily confined with my loved ones.
There were moments when I felt a twinge of self-doubt. I questioned whether we should’ve taken this rare opportunity to dive into more organized activities. Should we have explored a museum, attended a theater show, or engaged in more creative projects? Should I have prioritized exercise or dedicated time to writing? I pondered how I could infuse more meaning into our time together.
Then, I let those thoughts drift away. I immersed myself in the simple pleasures of the days: my little one playing with toy cars (his current obsession), and my older son happily re-reading his favorite books (a true bookworm at heart). We shared laughter and tickles on the bed, while my partner and I enjoyed “late-night” catch-ups over shows like Girls and The Mindy Project.
In that moment, I realized what more could we ask for? Just being together with the people I care about most is all that truly matters.
Yet, there’s a pervasive pressure in our society to be productive with our kids, to have tangible achievements from our time spent together. Is it social media’s fault? The relentless comparison with others? I’m not sure, but the expectation is there.
I feel it when my son expresses a desire to step back from Little League, basketball, or piano lessons, opting instead for the simplicity of “doing nothing” after school. I sometimes feel compelled to remind him that having outside interests is important, that he should find a passion to explore.
Does he really need to fill his schedule with more commitments? This 8-year-old, whose interests range from reading and writing to video game creation and hula-hooping—doesn’t he deserve time to simply be himself?
So, let’s embrace the gift of doing nothing. Let’s allow ourselves to simply exist, to seek out activities only when we feel inspired. I believe we all could benefit from a little less doing and a lot more being.
And faith. Faith that life has enough inherent richness and that we owe no one an explanation for how we choose to spend our time. Despite the constant buzz of societal expectations, we are the architects of our own lives. Let’s use that power to cultivate happiness, cherishing the beauty in the mundane moments we share. Life is fleeting, and it’s essential to live authentically and enjoy the presence of our loved ones.
So, here’s my invitation to you: grant yourself permission to do nothing, as a parent, as a family member, as an individual. Just be present—with yourself, with one another—and everything else will fall into place.
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In summary, I discovered that a week spent doing nothing can be a valuable opportunity to connect with family and appreciate the simple joys of life.