The Art of Doing Nothing: Rest as an Act of Intuition
It was the weekend, and I caught myself thinking, “I didn’t do a thing.” Two full days had passed, and the only tangible evidence of my productivity was a few loads of laundry, a workout at the gym, and a trip to the cobbler to repair a pair of shoes. My first instinct was to feel disappointed, as if not having a neatly checked-off to-do list meant I had somehow wasted 48 hours.
But then I paused. Isn’t that what a weekend is supposed to be about? A break from the constant motion of the week? A time to rest, reset, and reconnect with ourselves?
We live in a culture that celebrates busyness. Where productivity is equated with value and rest often feels like something we have to earn. We measure our days by how much we do rather than how we feel. Yet, when we’re constantly in motion, we lose touch with the quiet voice inside us. You know the one that gently guides us toward what we truly need, whether that’s a nap, a homemade meal, or a simple moment to breathe.
That voice is at the heart of intuitive eating, and, more broadly, intuitive living. It’s the wisdom within us that asks us to listen to our bodies and honor their cues. Just as intuitive eating invites us to eat when we’re hungry and stop when we’re full, intuitive living invites us to rest when we’re tired, to move when we have energy, and to create space for stillness when our minds feel cluttered.
When we’re caught up in the cycle of doing, it’s easy to ignore these signals. We might rush through lunch or skip it altogether because there’s “too much to do,” or push through exhaustion because slowing down feels unproductive. But intuition doesn’t thrive in chaos, it needs room. It needs mental, emotional, and physical space to be heard.
That weekend, when I finally let go of the guilt and gave myself permission to “do nothing,” something shifted. I began to feel calm. I lingered over my morning coffee, read the newspaper, wandered through the park, and allowed the quiet moments to be enough.
I was reminded that rest isn’t the opposite of productivity, it’s part of it. Just as a nourishing meal replenishes the body, true rest restores the mind and spirit. When we pause, we make space for clarity, creativity, and self-connection to emerge.
Now, I invite you to take a moment to ask yourself: When was the last time you allowed yourself to rest without guilt? How do you know when your body or mind is asking for a pause? What might “doing nothing” look like for you this week?
And remember, rest is not wasted time — it’s a return to yourself.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected or struggling to find balance, I’d love to support you. Reach out to schedule an individual session at rachel@livehealthynyc.com and together we can explore ways to bring more intuitive awareness and ease into your daily life.