The Art of Doing Nothing.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Colorado_kid

I don’t know why but I’m very encouraged by this thread.

I’m on the complete opposite end at the moment. Really in the thick of it. I can’t think of the last time I could completely just chill out.

From about 5am to the moment I close my eyes my days are non stop.

We have two daughters, a 6-yr old and 1 year old. And I started a company years back that requires all of my time, energy, focus… etc. If I don’t, it could easily go under.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel extremely grateful and fortunate of all these things in my life - but yes they take a toll on me.

Sometimes I do fantasize about the days I can just chill in my cashmere sweater on the porch and do absolutely nothing!


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I completely forgot about that aspect of it. We raised two children, put them through college, and now we’re empty nesters.

When you and your wife both have careers and are raising children, you never have any free time for yourself.

Perhaps that’s why I cherish just sitting around and doing nothing now that I’m retired. I’ve earned it.


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[Colorado_kid]

Originally Posted by Krash

I completely forgot about that aspect of it. We raised two children, put them through college, and now we’re empty nesters.

When you and your wife both have careers and are raising children, you never have any free time for yourself.

Perhaps that’s why I cherish just sitting around and doing nothing now that I’m retired. I’ve earned it.


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Well deserved. I’m looking forward to it.

But for, trying to appreciate these moments as I hear they go by fast.
Cheers.


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[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by Jimmy 2 Times

I had a small family business that my father started back in the 60’s.

We sold that 5 and a half years ago and I can tell you I have absolutely perfected the art of doing nothing.

I sleep as much as I want.
I workout when I want.
My mind is totally free.
I often forget what day it is.
I haven’t set an alarm clock in many years.
I don’t deal with bosses, coworkers and general work BS.
I don’t get up early in the morning and fight traffic on my way to work.


I own my time and do not feel an ounce of guilt.
I turned 55 last month.

Originally Posted by East of Eden

I’m self employed with a home office, most of that applies to me too

I am self employed as well and work from home M-W-F. On Mondays and Fridays, I usually have my work done by 10:00, or noon at the latest, and then the rest of the day is just checking e-mails every few hours. Wednesday is usually golf day, so just a few e-mails in the morning and evening.

Perfect afternoon is to sit either inside or outside depending on the weather with a good book. I'm working my way through all of Neil Peart's books, he was as great a writer as he was a drummer.

[atomicfear]

Down time is essential for anything related to creativity and problem solving, but it's hard to schedule. Putting white space on the calendar doesn't work. When you get to that time, you won't be inspired. When you're working you think,"man I wish I had more time to explore this feeling." The ephemeral notion doesn't show up when it is planned. TOugh balance.

[atomicfear]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I am self employed as well and work from home M-W-F. On Mondays and Fridays, I usually have my work done by 10:00, or noon at the latest, and then the rest of the day is just checking e-mails every few hours. Wednesday is usually golf day, so just a few e-mails in the morning and evening.

Perfect afternoon is to sit either inside or outside depending on the weather with a good book. I'm working my way through all of Neil Peart's books, he was as great a writer as he was a drummer.

Interesting. I'l have to check out Peart.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m semi retired but honestly I excel at doing nothing.

In reality, I’m always busy but the things is used to think were “time fillers “ are now the things I think of as “nothing” For me it’s all relative I guess.

One of my favourites is walking the pup. It’s amazing how easy it is to lose track of the time.







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Nothing beats a good walk with the dog Brian is the only time I feel truly st peace.

Especially with scenery like that :)

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Nothing like listening to my favourite music, stoned to the bone, cashmere sweater on, while melting away in my Eames Lounge chair

But only in the weekends and after a heavy workout, I can't chill if I feel like I didn't earn it.

Do you work while you’re high ? I find it helps me to concentrate on little fiddly things

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Nothing beats a good walk with the dog Brian is the only time I feel truly st peace.

Especially with scenery like that :)

Thanks buddy and I agree. As long as Norma isn’t chasing skunks I’m at peace


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[Maleg]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Do you work while you’re high ? I find it helps me to concentrate on little fiddly things

Are you per chance an A&P mechanic for Aeroflot?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by JSolution

Nothing beats a good walk with the dog Brian is the only time I feel truly st peace.

Especially with scenery like that :)

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thanks buddy and I agree. As long as Norma isn’t chasing skunks I’m at peace


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my best down time is walking the dog. I am currently at over 14,000 steps a day.

best part is I am mostly thinking about work/marketing/branding etc and talking on the phone while doing it.

I rarely do downtime. I wish I did. I think it is great. But I am too OCD.

I enjoy the work. Even on vacations I love being on the beach and on the phone.

That said, I do take a 10-15 minute nap almost every day. It helps me immensely. I love naps.

[AzPaul]

Sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by superdog

my best down time is walking the dog. I am currently at over 14,000 steps a day.

best part is I am mostly thinking about work/marketing/branding etc and talking on the phone while doing it.

I rarely do downtime. I wish I did. I think it is great. But I am too OCD.

I enjoy the work. Even on vacations I love being on the beach and on the phone.

That said, I do take a 10-15 minute nap almost every day. It helps me immensely. I love naps.

Oh man brother … I love naps as well. 20-30 minutes no longer, but I always feel so rejuvenated!

Here’s my step count today, gonna go walk the pup in an hour again




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[Blansky]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Oh man brother … I love naps as well. 20-30 minutes no longer, but I always feel so rejuvenated!

Here’s my step count today, gonna go walk the pup in an hour again

Is that step count with snowshoes or just your normal lumberjack boots.

Either way it's pretty impressive.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Is that step count with snowshoes or just your normal lumberjack boots.

Either way it's pretty impressive.

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[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

My vacations are a little crazy, we don't actually get a lot of relaxation, but that's by design. We often get between 20,000 to 30,000 steps per day.

My downtime while not vacationing is usually spent working out or on the treadmill while watching sports or vlogs on TV. I've turned into a bit of a nut for the treadmill. And working out. Watched basically the entire Superbowl while on the treadmill.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

However, the last week has been spent recovering from a procedure and I am already going nuts not being able to get up and move.

Oh man... wish you a fast recovery.

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I'm working my way through all of Neil Peart's books, he was as great a writer as he was a drummer.

#winning

best answer yet imho

Originally Posted by superdog

I do take a 10-15 minute nap almost every day. It helps me immensely. I love naps.

+1


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Great thread

[BroncoOne]

Books.

[brandrea]

If TRF counts … I do a lot of nothing

[tjs1295]

Doing nothing is actually doing something. Rest and recovery are just as important as any other part of your life.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Yoda_Eating_Pizza

My vacations are a little crazy, we don't actually get a lot of relaxation, but that's by design. We often get between 20,000 to 30,000 steps per day.

My downtime while not vacationing is usually spent working out or on the treadmill while watching sports or vlogs on TV. I've turned into a bit of a nut for the treadmill. And working out. Watched basically the entire Superbowl while on the treadmill.

Vacations and relaxation are exercises in doing something different and enjoyable. Everyone is different and there is no wrong answer.

But yours are filled with too much something to qualify as nothing.

[samson66]

[Rock]

I retired at 59. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a work interest but then I realise it would interfere with getting up late, doing a couple of hours of exercise, relaxing with a good book and a great Espresso, then it's lunchtime. After lunch I do some physical exercise and sort out any business on the computer. Then it's Martini-time and then Dinner. I realise I just don't have any time to fit "work" in. And socialising - that's gotta fit in somewhere...

[ArtNouveau]

I retired in ‘21 after a lengthy career with one company. Within months I moved to another state to follow my passion for mountainbiking. I’m not rich but am comfortable and truly living the dream retirement. No alarms, stay up until around 12-1 at night and generally wake up around 8 plus take that wonderful afternoon nap most days.
I volunteer with several cycling related things including coaching a couple of youth teams which is very rewarding. I ride almost every day and am in very good shape, very grateful for that.
I’m still getting used to the idea that I can also just take off somewhere when I want to. This year I will attend MotoGP in Austin, Las Vegas for my niece’s son’s wedding, Colorado for riding this summer, then visiting friends in New York in the fall. So my “doing nothing” isn’t just sitting around but it certainly isn’t the rigid structure of my working years.
Life is good.

[SearChart]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I can relate (except the stoned to the bone part) although I do like to feel comfortably numb from time to time

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

See, you get it


Good man, agree it must be earned.

Originally Posted by JSolution

Do you work while you’re high ? I find it helps me to concentrate on little fiddly things

Never.

[Jimmy 2 Times]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

No automated side hustle? Plenty out there. Amazon book thing, very attractive AI -created 21 y/o girl thing.... lots of side hustles out there with just a small bit of effort involved.

Ok I am intrigued by this.
I would be interested in learning about what you are talking about.
I’m not asking you to explain it in all its detail but maybe point me in the right direction.

[taitun4life]

Originally Posted by Krash

I’m retired now but I worked continuously from age 18 to 60. There was never a point in my life when I wasn’t employed.

Since retiring, I’ve become quite proficient at doing nothing.

I once had a strong work etiquette and looked down upon people that didn’t work. Now I don’t care.


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You earned that

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rock

I retired at 59. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a work interest but then I realise it would interfere with getting up late, doing a couple of hours of exercise, relaxing with a good book and a great Espresso, then it's lunchtime. After lunch I do some physical exercise and sort out any business on the computer. Then it's Martini-time and then Dinner. I realise I just don't have any time to fit "work" in. And socialising - that's gotta fit in somewhere...

Him right there with you This is pretty much exactly what 3-4 days of my week looks like right now (plus the pup walks).

Hoping to be fully retired at 60

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Jimmy 2 Times

Ok I am intrigued by this.
I would be interested in learning about what you are talking about.
I’m not asking you to explain it in all its detail but maybe point me in the right direction.

Always happy to help. Visit your local high-performance audio dealer. There are various shows throughout the world where you can hear million$ in gear. Since you are in Florida, this weekend is the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 in Tampa.

Where ever someone reading this is, seek and ye shall find. Each year there are more and more high-performance audio shows globally as demand is increasing, and the new-ish immersive audio (generally via Dolby Atmos) is also beginning to grow (as are home theaters).

Sure there are techie books, too (such as The Complete Guide to High-End Audio), yet imho hearing various top-quality systems gives you a better understanding of what is possible. So visit your local dealer / show and as always... enjoy the music.

[Jimmy 2 Times]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Always happy to help. Visit your local high-performance audio dealer. There are various shows throughout the world where you can hear million$ in gear. Since you are in Florida, this weekend is the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 in Tampa.

Where ever someone reading this is, seek and ye shall find. Each year there are more and more high-performance audio shows globally as demand is increasing, and the new-ish immersive audio (generally via Dolby Atmos) is also beginning to grow (as are home theaters).

Sure there are techie books, too (such as The Complete Guide to High-End Audio), yet imho hearing various top-quality systems gives you a better understanding of what is possible. So visit your local dealer / show and as always... enjoy the music.

Thanks for the reply.