‘In the age of FOMO, a weekend with no plans helps you relax'

Time of India

3 days ago

Written by: Yashaswi Kochar
Given our hectic lifestyles, is it realistic to pause and revel in the joy of doing nothing, especially on weekends? Niksen, a Dutch term for doing absolutely nothing, seems to be becoming popular with Amdavadis.
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Rajyavardhan Singh, a management consultant, says, 'Sometimes, the best plan is to not have a plan. Since weekdays are hectic, a weekend with no plans helps you relax. It (doing nothing) is very much necessary.'
Shivanshu Thakur, a chartered accountant, agrees, 'Once, after a hectic week with constant travelling, I was drained and decided that I should just sleep and relax the next weekend. I felt energised for the coming week after that.'
'You should take a break whenever you feel burnt out'
So, when should one consider doing nothing? Rupangi Shah, a clinical psychologist, says, 'We need to remind ourselves that we are human beings, but we have become human doings. Just like we don't wait till the battery is dead before charging a phone, you should take a break whenever you feel burnt out.'
How should one go about it? Rupangi shares, 'Acknowledge that doing nothing will be difficult initially.
Try the art of slowing down and meditating. Any activity you like, be it swimming, art, reading a book or cooking, do it, but not with the purpose of achieving anything but just being present and relaxing.'
'It's ok to indulge in activities you enjoy'
One can still indulge in activities they enjoy, as it can be relaxing. Fiza Malik, a senior analyst, says, 'Usually, I focus on haircare and skincare during this time, apart from indulging in nail extensions, dancing etc.
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Since I enjoy doing these things, it feels like doing nothing.'
Rajyavardhan agrees, 'I like reading books and binge-watching movies while talking to family members. It keeps me relaxed and makes me feel connected and entertained.'
'There is no need to feel guilty, you deserve this time off'
One of the challenges people face is an overwhelming sense of guilt. Rupangi says, 'One feels guilty when we do something that is not accepted culturally or socially.'
Shivanshu shares, 'We live in a competitive environment and at times, when I see colleagues preparing for competitive exams, I feel guilty about not making the best use of my weekend. However, it's important to understand what makes you happy. If I sense any guilt, I tell myself that I have worked hard for the rest of the week and deserve this time off.'
'Rest is productive, it keeps you sane'
Culturally, we are conditioned to believe that we deserve rest when we achieve something.
But doing nothing lets you enjoy the idea of leisure and finding pleasure in moments of stillness. Jagruti Singh, a digital marketing professional, says, 'On Sundays, while relaxing, sometimes I wonder if I should be doing something. But I remind myself that rest is productive. It keeps me sane and makes me feel better later.'
Fiza adds, 'Such breaks are important. I get time to relax, take it slow, connect with my people and learn something new.'
'Doing nothing allows you to chill and reflect'
What are the benefits of doing nothing? Jagruti says, 'Being home recharges me. It gives me space to reflect on the past week, think about what's ahead, and just chill.' Doing this for a week makes you feel more energised and can increase your productivity.
How to not feel guilty about doing nothing
Change your perception about being productive
Focus on the present
Challenge guilt when it arises
Avoid comparisons with others