Even Resting Is a Verb: Why Doing “Nothing” Still Counts

By Stephanie Bunn, MSW, RSW

In a world that glorifies productivity, it’s easy to feel guilty for slowing down. We’re conditioned to measure our worth by results, by how much we accomplish, how busy we stay, how visible our effort is. So, when we pause, when we rest, when we choose stillness, it can feel like we’re doing nothing.

But here’s the truth: we can’t do nothing. Even resting is a verb. This was something I learned when I did my internship placement at Calming Tree Counselling and Psychotherapy, and I never looked back. Yes, even us clinicians learn things as we go, we are humans too!

Rest is not passive. It’s not a failure to act. Rest is a choice. It is a deliberate, often courageous one. It’s the body recalibrating, the mind integrating, the nervous system repairing. It’s the quiet work of healing that happens beneath the surface.

In session, I often hear clients articulating their resting as: “I am lazy”, “I should be doing more”, “I’m just… tired”. We often use these kinds of phrases without realizing that they undermine our sense of self. Becoming aware of how you speak to yourself can meaningfully influence how you view yourself, for better or worse. When we reframe these statements, they can become more supportive and empowering.

RE-FRAMING

Consider reframing “I am lazy” to “I’m choosing to take care of myself by prioritizing some rest.”

This next one, “I should be doing more” can sound like, “I am doing enough and what I have capacity for right now.”

The reframe for “I’m just… tired” can be “I am tired” when we “just” the word tired, we are downplaying how we are feeling or what we mean. 

REFLECTION

Can you think of a time you have said these things to yourself? Have you tried re-framing? What happened?

When sitting with my clients they will describe their overwhelm, their tiredness, their never ending to-do list and wonder out loud “why can’t I just do it”. I like to gently remind them: rest is part of the work. If you are in a part of your life where you cannot slow down and things are piling up with no relief, instead of adding a New Year’s Resolutions to your list, try subtracting things from your life.

Rest is the part that doesn’t get applause. It doesn’t show up on a résumé. It doesn’t often feel productive. But it’s essential. Rest is what allows us to show up again. To feel. To reflect. To grow.

So, if you find yourself in a season of stillness, if you’re lying on the couch, staring out the window, journaling, or simply breathing, remind yourself, you are not doing nothing. You are doing something deeply important. You are choosing care. You are choosing yourself.

And that counts.

PRO TIP

You can subtract 10 minutes from your scrolling time or do a 10-minute stretch before bed or deliberately schedule down time (Say it out into the universe, “I am going to sit on the couch after making my coffee).

Is this going to be easy? No, but gaining awareness of our capacity and recognizing when we need to rest is a great place to start.