Two weeks ago, A-Cakes and I went
to a lake house/cabin for three vacation days in North Georgia. We drove up armed
with the cabin's address, two bags of groceries, 18 beers, five books, and no
plans. After loading bags in, we made lunch. Following the Doritos, when the sandwich
course was over, we stared at each other. We didn't have anything to do. No agenda
at all. And it was quiet. And peaceful.
So, like any other people
struggling to relax on vacation (it sounds ridiculous even as I type it) we did
what those who can't wind down do best: started to make plans! There was the consideration
to hike, take the kayak on the lake, go into town to check out
an antique store, invent a new drink, photograph some bugs, or even play
Boggle. This became even more stressful.
Last year I read this article by Tim Kreider:
It addresses the absence of leaving enough time in our lives for no
plans, and that we are, oftentimes, excessively busy by our own accord or because of
our surroundings. Tim makes good points.
It's becoming truer the older I
get. People, U.S. Americans in particular, struggle to do nothing. Did you know
that the United States is the "only developed country in the world without
a single legally required paid vacation day or holiday"? (Thanks, USA
Today) Maybe we don't feel entitled to downtime?
I'm no different. The biggest
effort I take to chill some days is unwrapping a tiny Dove chocolate whose
wrapper instructs "treat yourself today" or "promise yourself
more moments like these" usually when I'm behind a desk, cursing in
traffic, or waiting in line behind somebody I don't know but who is probably moving too slow, delaying my day. Even as I'm writing this, I'm stressing about 17 more
productive things I should do. I say LAME.
So, forced into it, we did nothing
on our vacation. And it was really hard. But it was awesome. We talked, ate,
napped, and read. And nothing else. Some days I didn't change out of my PJ's. I returned feeling laid back and weirdly
accomplished.
How/where do you like to do
nothing?
