The Art of Getting Nothing Done

The Art of getting nothing done is a peculiar talent. It is the ability to curb all ambitions and actions and simply exist. For so long I wanted the lull period where I could exist with freedom. Not a lul-like lockdown where I was confined indoors and isolated from all others isolated. No, I wanted a free time where I could exist and find others simply existing.

Last week I quit my job. The pay became terrible. The hours were only growing longer and I was unhappy. Very. Very unhappy.

It’s freeing to have quit. My only regret is not quitting sooner, but on the positive, I left a job I put so much into only after being absolutely sure that leaving was in my best interest. I traveled twice with that job. Far less than I originally planned, and I gained so much less than my ambition leads me to believe I would gain.

None the less, I now exist, unemployed, and feeling recharged from my burnout. I’ve finished the rough draft of my book, got back into practicing fire spinning, and tonight I will be heading to a rock climbing gym.

I am shocked at how quickly the day passes me by. How I have perfected the art of nothing. Once, I was a high functioning, disciplined traveler. Now I have become lazy, undisciplined, and without focus.

It’s Not A Sustainable Way Of Life

While I’m saddened to no longer have my old discipline, I know I can get it back. The true issue is leaving Christchurch. The overwhelming logistics of moving my stuff. Getting my bond back. Saying goodbye to all of my Christchurch friends, and getting my stuff out of storage will be a big task. A big task that I’ve so far had 8 days to complete. The art of not doing anything leads me astray from doing anything. But now with this free time, and this newfound boredom towards Youtube and sleeping in has the old spark coming back.

It feels like a rebirth. While my hiatus from writing to focus on work has capped my creative flow, I can’t help but feel a new sense of eagerness. An eagerness I truely hadn’t felt since Dunedin.

In truth, I lost my focus while working for Ace Marketing. As time went on, my focus shifted from writing my book about adventuring to New Zealand to get residency, find a research program in Antarctica, and do my masters. It became more about building the business. And while it was fun at first, and I learned a lot, a lot quicker than if I was in a larger business. Losing my focus meant I had lost myself, my purpose, and ultimately my fulfillment.

I Used The Art Of Getting Nothing Done To Break From The Rat-Race

I was blowing all the money I was making at the bar on my one night off. To make up for all the fun I was missing during the week with a 6 day, 60-70 hour work schedule. The art of not doing anything gave me time to lay in bed. To vent to friends. And to drown in thoughts, ideas, regrets, and triumphs.

My parents ask what the big plan is now. I can’t tell them what it is. I don’t know what it is. All I know is action creates action and as long as you keep going forward you’ll eventually wind up where you need to go.

At least I’ll keep telling myself that as I chip away at everything I do. Was it a mistake to stay in Christchurch? I’ll never know. My plan failed, but at least it failed, and I didn’t give up. There’s more closure in failure. You can say you tried, and that’s all success is in the end. Trying over and over until something works out.

When To Embrace The Art Of Not Doing Anything

When you feel you’ve hit a wall, have savings and free time. I suggest embracing the art of not doing anything. No appointments, schedules, work, or commitments. Break your routine and see what you naturally do. This is by no means a sustainable way to live, and I wouldn’t recommend indulging in this frequently. Sometimes you just need to unplug, rediscover old hobbies with no care for the time commitment, or how they’re practical. Catch up and binge all of your favorite shows. Sleep in 10hours a day for several days straight.

This beautiful recharge recreates a childhood summer feeling. There’s nothing to do but pass time. So what do you do? You find things. You think about things and become well-rested and stress-free once more. It’s an incredibly freeing practice.

However its one that I am finished with. As I said. Rock-climbing tonight. An interview for a research program in Antartica tomorrow. What else will I do tomorrow? Probobly try to get back into the habit of waking up early.

My lull phase is over. And I have left the rat-race. I will once again be active on here (going back to the daily updates). I’m going to get back into photography and have an uncomfortable chat with my landlord Thursday on about leaving early and getting my bond back.

What will I make with the rest of my New Zealand Working Holiday Visa? I don’t know.

But I do know I’m going to have fun. Enjoy life in the COVID free corner of the world. I guess I have to re-find myself. I did give 5 months of my life to the rate race. That’s enough time to become a completely different person.