Recently, my family and I experienced a week of mid-winter break, and we found ourselves at home together. The weather was chilly, with some snowfall and temperatures plummeting, and the car was in the shop for a couple of days. We managed to escape for a movie and a visit to an indoor play area, but for the most part, we were just together at home.
Admittedly, there was more screen time than I would have preferred. We engaged in a few simple science experiments using cornstarch and dish soap, and we enjoyed some brownie-making, complete with the delicious task of licking the batter from the bowl. When asked how we spent our week, I would have simply replied, “Umm, nothing.”
But let me express how much I relished that week of “nothingness.” It turned out to be one of my most memorable vacations. While my social media feed was filled with images of families basking in the sun on tropical beaches, I felt a sense of contentment being home with my loved ones.
At times, I found myself grappling with feelings of inadequacy. I questioned whether we should have seized this rare opportunity for family bonding more actively. Would a trip to a museum or a Broadway show have been a better use of our time? Should we have engaged in more creative projects or played additional board games? Did I need to prioritize exercise or writing more? What could I do to infuse this precious time with deeper meaning?
Eventually, I chose to dismiss those thoughts and fully immerse myself in the days we had. I delighted in watching my youngest son play with his toy cars, and I appreciated my older son, a true bookworm, as he reread every book in our collection. We filled our days with laughter, tickling, and late-night shows that my partner and I enjoyed together.
In moments like these, I wondered, what more could I ask for? The joy of simply being with my family is truly what life is about.
However, societal pressure often suggests that we must be productive with our children, that we need to have tangible achievements to show for our time together. This pressure stems from various sources—social media, the media, or even the so-called Mommy Wars. It’s pervasive and can be overwhelming.
I feel this pressure when my son expresses a desire to forgo his extracurricular activities, whether it’s sports or music lessons, opting instead to just relax at home. I often question whether I should encourage him to engage in more activities outside of school, to pursue new passions. But does he really need to add more to his already full schedule? This 8-year-old, who enjoys reading, writing, and even creating video games, may simply need to be who he is without added obligations.
Let’s embrace the notion of doing nothing. Allow ourselves the freedom to just be, and to seek out activities only when we feel inclined. I believe we could all benefit from less busyness and more presence in our lives.
Having faith that life is inherently fulfilling, without needing to impress anyone, is essential. Contrary to our beliefs, very few people are scrutinizing our choices; it’s mostly ourselves doing the judging. We have the power to determine how we fill our days, prioritizing happiness and quality family time over a crowded schedule of activities. Life is shorter than we often realize, and it makes sense to live authentically and cherish the simple moments with our loved ones.
So here’s my encouragement: give yourself permission to do nothing, as a parent, family member, or individual. Just be present—with yourself and with those you cherish—and everything else will naturally fall into place.
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Summary
In the busyness of life, it’s easy to overlook the value of simply being present with our families. A recent week spent at home during mid-winter break served as a reminder that sometimes doing nothing is just as enriching as any planned activity. Embracing those quiet moments fosters deeper connections. We should allow ourselves to enjoy these periods of stillness, free from societal pressures to constantly engage in productivity.
Keyphrase: The importance of family time
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