One of the things I’ve learned about living in NYC - about myself, at least - is that taking time to relax and do nothing every once in a while is a non-negotiable. And, I find myself blogging about this often because it seems as though I need the constant reminder/accountability…
I’m just not someone who runs well on empty…and with a full-time job, my many side jobs, and maintaining a social life - unfortunately I reach empty way easier than I’d like to.
That’s where days like today come in. I had nothing planned after work (a rarity), so I made sure to keep it that way. And, since the evening was all sorts of gross and rainy, I think God wanted me to keep it that way too!
Tonight’s nothingness looked a little bit like this…
Upon arriving home, I instantly made myself a home-cooked meal some food.
I thought about making myself an actual meal but….well, this is real life, folks.
I must confess that I did squeeze some work into my night of nothingness. But, considering I love everything about FreelyBe and GML, it isn’t really considered work, right? 
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I’m happy to say I did manage to unplug for a few hours, where some much needed quiet-time took place.
And last but not least, I rounded out the evening with some quality television.
Irony at its finest…?
So, it may not seem like much, but this one night of downtime is quite possibly all I need to make it through a non-stop week or two. It had better, at least…
What does your perfect night of nothingness/downtime look like?
I love to curl up with my nook and dogs to read all night long.
I started working full-time three weeks ago and I’m still looking for a day when I can have some nothingness. I’m sure I’ll learn how to fit in a night of nothing eventually :). I would skip the gym, eat takeout and watch TV on the couch!
I feel you on the nights of nothingness. I could reallllyyyy use one of those. Unfortunately, I have SO much to do in the next two weeks before I go back to school that I’m probably not going to have one of those nights until…December. Failsauce. Granted, some of those “things to do” are catching up on the TV I miss during the week soooo maybe that doesn’t really count
But seriously. I could go for a night of nothingness.
Emily @ Living & Learning says
comfy pants. comfy couch. NO homework (hate that feeling of “knowing” i should be doing something else instead). a glass, er bottle, of wine. and some reality tv or a good movie.
I love curling up on the couch to watch the Food Network or to read a good book!
I’m about to curl up on the couch with my Kindle and puppy. Perfect.
I always am reading up on my rss, reading my novel, watching food network or just spending time with family on my easy nights. C:
Hey, a nut butter sandwich counts as a delicious home-cooked meal in my book!
For me, downtime is usually getting out into nature somehow, maybe a walk, hike, or bike ride. I need to see some trees! Trees for sanity, I always say.
Downtime = #FITBLOG!!!
my perfect night of nothingness includes cuddling with my husband, movie/sitcom watching, a glass of wine and something sweet.
Have a great night of nothingness! You deserve it.
Kelsey says
I SO needed this bible verse today! Thanks so much for sharing!
I ABSOLUTELY believe in “me” time. Doing nothing. It’s super refreshing and just necessary!
Natalie @ cinnamon bums says
man, i love this post. nothingness is totally underrated. i tell people that i’m the kind of person who needs at least an hour a day to zonk out and stare at a wall. the world we live in today is constantly feeding us with media and gossip and trends and this and that; i find myself to be totally overstimulated sometimes, what with technology, computers, phones, etc. my favorite “nothingness” things to do are to stroll around the neighborhood, kicking rocks around as i go, lying on the floor and stretching, and flipping through netflix and watching 10 minutes of 10 different movies and then give up. quite unproductive and absolutely awesome at the same time.
also, love the verse =)
Yum food+mindless tv+blog reading = my perfect night of nothingness!
I absolutely love nights of nothingness!
These are the best nights ever! So needed! Glad you got some well deserved down time!!
I need at least one night of nothingness per week or else I’d go crazy! I like to just get in my PJs, cook myself a nice dinner (or get sushi takeout!), and watch a marathon of one of my favourite shows.
I need lots of nothingness nights - they’re the only way I can fully recharge! I love excitement too, but I need to get back to “me” time pretty frequently. Mine usually include a blanket, a book, a movie and a bag of cereal. Simple and casual all the way!
I am incredibly protective of my Friday nights — I often turn down plans, get out of special events, etc., just to keep my “me” time.
My friends know that I’m not kidding … I like to come home from work, change into PJs, watch some trashy TV, drink some wine, snuggle my dogs and go to bed early. The other 6 nights of the week, I’m usually go go go, so I know that taking just a few hours for nothing makes the rest of it manageable.
honestly, I could SO use a night of nothing. it’s been too long since I had nothing to get done. waah!
When I started working full time, 9-5, a couple years ago I struggled with getting up every morning, working all day then coming home to figure out that I had maybe 5 hours to do everything else I wanted to do before I had to get up and do it all over again. It got very depressing. Remembering to make time for yourself is very important and I’m glad you’re reminding everyone to do so! My ideal “me night” is coming home, doing my work-out video with no distractions, washing my face and settling in for a night of book reading or Teen Mom!
Hope you enjoyed your night of nothingness!
I love some nothingness, but I feel like my summer has been a bit TOO full of nothingness lately. My perfect night involves a simple but delicious dinner, chocolate, beer, blog reading and trashy TV!!
PS- I’m coming back to the city for good this weekend. Can we please add another fun restaurant to the G+G NYC list?!
Gotta love those relaxing nights spend at home! Hell’s Kitchen is one of my favorite shows! I’ve been watching for years!
PS - I love the Freely Be header! So cute!
My favorite downtime includes cooking up a nice meal, reading a book on the Kindle, and (if there’s time) painting my nails!
Nothing = everything. Sometimes you need time to yourself and to literally just be a lazy bum. When I’m constantly on the go, those are the nights I look forward to the most, the nights where I have nothing planned and I can finally relax
Totally understand — I feel like I’m one of those people who needs lots of downtime. My favorite kind of night consists of reading for pleasure and lots of 30 Rock episodes. I also like to use spare hours during the day to go hang out in Starbucks and blog or read because I can watch all the interesting people AND be alone & recharge at the same time.
Sarah says
I’ve been trying to make intentional time to recharge lately too. My favorite is reading a good book. I feel like I never get time to actually sit down and read any more, and I do love it so. My goal right now is to get through one book a week!
Love it!!
My perfect night: comfy clothes, hair in a ponytail, watching bad reality TV (Bachelor/Bachelorette, Big Brother, etc), and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Red Velvet Cake ice cream. Heaven.
I’m so crazy busy with grad school my ideal downtime is spending time with my friends, just catching up over coffee or some wine. I spend far too much time alone in the lab, so I think I need some people I love around to best recharge my batteries
I love nothingness nights! I try to factor one in every week (rarely happens more than 2 weeks in a row, but hey - like you said, this is real life!!)
Lately I have been indulging in a Harry Potter fest (movies and books!), How I Met Your Mother, and peanut butter on toast - heaven!
Kait's Pursuit of Health says
Such a wonderful post. All day I have been reminding myself that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Good for you for having a You Night!!
Hannah says
I love love love nothing days. I am one of those people who can just read for hours straight, and it is kind of my favorite thing to do. In the bath, over a meal, in bed, in the car (when I am not driving obviously).
Kiah says
homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies + milk + bad reality tv = perfection.
P.S. Just stumbled across your blog via A Foodie Stays Fit and am LOVING it!
Ah yay, thanks Kiah!!
I’m with you on the need for days of nothingness, I actually had one of those yesterday! I get stressed easily because I push myself really hard too and relaxing days like that are just what you need to let go of the stress