The Oddly Satisfying Art of Doing Nothing

Written by: Jakin (25-I5)

Designed by: Lynette (25-U1)

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I never expected that doing nothing could shift the trajectory of my life, and yet it did. 

This surprisingly transformative journey began in a rather strange way. I was at the gym post-promos, and I’d forgotten to bring my phone down. As such, I was left with nothing but the steady thump of footsteps on a treadmill, the distinct scent of rubber mats, and…myself. Between sets, I sat on that gym bench, phone-less and forced to be profoundly bored. I didn’t expect so little to teach me so much.

It began subtly. Nagging feelings of melancholy I had previously shoved aside slowly festered and grew between sets until I couldn’t ignore them. I got a sense that these feelings had been following me for some time, but were always something I’d been too distracted to acknowledge. In those rare moments of enforced boredom, they surfaced insistently, making me feel unsettled. 

After some thought, I quickly realised the root of the issue - I felt empty. I didn’t know what my purpose was in life, and it left me drifting aimlessly like a buoy lost at sea. Big questions about life and meaning started to rise, forcing me to confront them head-on.

It felt kind of ridiculous. I went to the gym to lift weights, not have an existential crisis. Yet, this unassuming moment of doing nothing opened my eyes to questions I couldn’t keep avoiding. In turn, these moments of reflection have helped me come out the other side feeling more purposeful, more anchored, and more connected to the world around me - and, of course, happier. Not a bad trade-off for a few moments of doomscrolling. 

Do a quick experiment next time you find yourself on public transport - briefly observe what people choose to do during their commute. You’ll notice almost everyone lost in their devices, and very few content to just sit still and be. After all, in today’s fast-paced world, productivity is king. Why would I choose to waste my time when I’ve got so much to do? We’ve got no shortage of ways to occupy our time in this hypermodern world — yet stepping back and doing nothing might be the most rewarding choice of all.

This isn’t just some fluff - there is real scientific backing about the importance and benefits that boredom can bring to your life. There’s a reason the term “shower thoughts” exists and why you always seem to get your best ideas then. You’re bored, so your brain is  forced to be creative. 

When you choose to sit and do nothing, your brain switches gears. A part of your brain called the default mode network lights up, which is linked to self-reflection, memory, and future planning. That’s why these moments of stillness can feel so meaningful. They help you process things that happened, make sense of your emotions, and plan what could come next. You’re giving your brain space to sift through your life’s noise and find clarity. 

Moments of boredom can give our overloaded minds much-needed reprieve. JC students constantly juggle a laundry list of deadlines, notifications, and problems, leaving our brains switched on 24/7. It’s easy to forget that our brains, too, need rest. Instead of filling every pause with more stimulation, try allowing yourself time to stop and be. In a world that prizes constant motion, stillness might feel uncomfortable and wrong. What surfaces first might even be restlessness — that itch to check a screen or find something to do. But if we sit with it long enough, it often gives way to understanding. We start to notice what we’ve been feeling, what we’ve been avoiding, or what truly matters. It’s a powerful way to stay grounded and reconnect with yourself. 

In a world that never stops moving, stillness has become bold and revolutionary. I challenge you to embrace some boredom in your life - It isn’t difficult. Put your devices aside on public transport. Choose to be bored when waiting for your mala. Do nothing when eating your meals. You may find that the quiet, the emptiness, the pause — all the things we try desperately to escape — are ultimately what make life feel full.