Is It Okay to Do Nothing?

I’m noticing two waves of thought concerning our quarantine time.

(1) Be productive!
Now is the time to clean out those closets. Learn a new language. Repaint the house.

Or,

(2) Take a break!
Read for fun. Sleep later each morning. Go for leisurely walks.

Which is your approach?

Okay to do nothing

Some of you may not have a choice. Depending on your job and life season—you’re homeschooling kids or you’re working twice as hard as a nurse, etc.—your life may have sped up without you getting to decide.

But for many of us, our time schedule is more under our control than ever before. With many of our outside obligations removed, we are the master of our time at home.

What ‘should’ we do with our extra time?

Over the Christmas break I typically do a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a special treat for me. I actually lose track of time when I’m doing a puzzle (and it always surprises me when this happens). So I limit puzzles to that one time a year. Because even though I enjoy it in the moment, it feels wasteful in itself.

But I didn’t buy a new puzzle last Christmas. (At least not grown-up puzzles. I did 5-piece puzzles with my granddaughter instead. Even more fun!)

So I had no new puzzles in the house when quarantine hit. My choices now on the shelves at Walmart were only two boxes. 

Apparently after buying up food and toilet paper, shoppers bought out puzzles and games. Puzzlemakers can’t keep up with the demand. 

SIDE NOTE:
Here’s an interesting list from Walmart’s CEO of hot items in the quarantine.

    • Week 1: Hand sanitizers, soaps and disinfectants
    • Week 2: Toilet paper
    • Week 3 and 4: Spiral hams and baking yeast (for Easter)
    • Now in Week 5: Hair clippers and hair dye (Feeling shaggy yet? I keep eyeing my scissors)

I bought one of the two boxes left. But instead of one large puzzle (which I wanted), this box had 4 tiny puzzles (150 pieces), 4 small ones (300 pieces), and 4 medium ones (500 pieces).

But unless it’s Saturday or Sunday afternoon, I still feel guilty doing puzzles. Why?

In Celeste Headlee’s new book, Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving, she says:

“We are members of the cult of efficiency, and we’re killing ourselves with productivity.”

Headlee had no idea when she wrote this book how much we were going to need it this year. When I first read it in January, I didn’t agree with everything. But maybe I need to read it again since the arrival of COVID-19.

Too often we overestimate the value of useful things we put into the world.

During normal “work hours,” I feel I should be productive doing things that matter, not something like putting a puzzle together. I don’t want to be lazy. I have negative thoughts about idleness.

I need to redefine my attitudes about idleness.

“Improvement is healthy, but not every moment of your day should be leveraged in an attempt to make you a better person.

If you’re searching for the fastest way to learn guitar because you also have to squeeze in yoga and keto cooking recipes and homemade charcoal facial peels, you have left no time to simply be the person you are.

You are leaving no space for rest and contentment.” 
– Celeste Headlee

Especially now, our attitudes of “improvement” can work against us.

While we do still need to do certain things every day—routines are more helpful than ever—we also need to let some things go.

We need to release the pressure on ourselves to “do” more, and instead accept the gift of time to “be” more.

When I’m working on a puzzle, I’m simply “being.”

“Research shows you can lift your mood simply by taking a walk; no need to track your steps. I’d like to inspire a new consideration of leisure and a new appreciation for idleness. Idleness in this sense does not mean inactivity, but instead nonproductive activity.” 
– Celeste Headlee

In this season of a global pandemic, I’m giving myself permission to invest more in leisure. To throw off self-inflicted pressure to be productive. To grab a blanket and a favorite book instead. To trust that God will prompt me to do what needs doing, but will also enjoy our extra time together doing nothing.

I’m still pacing myself with my puzzles. I only have twelve, after all, and we don’t know how long this quarantine will last. So far I’ve finished four. And I’m itching to start a fifth. When I do a puzzle, it’s my version of doing nothing.

And I enjoy it.

It’s okay to do nothing sometimes. If we lose touch with our being, our doing is wasted. Less doing can produce better being.

So just be. Schedule it in, if you must. See what happens.

It will be okay.


Do you struggle with doing nothing, or does it come easy to you? Please share in the comments.

My thanks to NetGalley
for the review copy of this book

67 thoughts on “Is It Okay to Do Nothing?

  1. Carolyn Seymour Thomas

    I’ve experienced this more than I’d care to admit lately, Lisa! And it’s simple things…like picking up a book to read once my kids get in their school groove for the day (‘No, I should prep dinner/review a draft/tackle one piece of a project’). There are the conflicting messages in my head–one saying, ‘I’ll bet people are doing amazing things with this time on their hands during quarantine!’…and the other voice saying, ‘If not now–when?’
    I enjoyed this post…didn’t want it to end!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Carolyn. I’m glad I’m not alone in these flip-flopping thoughts. 🙂 I’ve finally start writing out very simple lists for certain tasks that I normally do without thinking. Some days are better than others, thankfully!

  2. Shannan

    Yes, Lisa. One thousand times yes. Shauna Niequist has a phrase which I have adopted over the last few years: “worshipping at the altar of the false god of efficiency.” During this pandemic, that’s what I want to do but I can find no peace in it. Working puzzles-which I didn’t like to do before-walks/runs in nature, drawing/painting and other creative pursuits, have quieted my mind and my heart. I feel content and at peace. I am thinking about what this means for myself and this spiritual journey I am on. Thanks for this.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Ooh, that phrase from Shauna hits me squarely on the head. Too often I value efficiency above other things. And I don’t want to. I’m glad you’re finding creative and natural activities that bring you peace, Shannan. I’ve been spending more time outside too and it is always soothing. Having grace with ourselves is important.

      And yes, contemplating this as part of our spiritual journey is a gift that we probably can’t fully appreciate until we’re a bit further down the road but what a gift it will be.

  3. bill (cycleguy)

    I like to do 1000 piece puzzles during the winter time. It gives me something to do at home and eases my mind. Takes my mind off things that can weigh me down. I’ve also taken the time to read more during this time away. I still go to the office but visiting others is nil so I read. When the weather cooperates, I am also riding. Like today…it is supposed to be close to 60 and no rain. Yeah! A rarity for Indiana is April. I don’t think anyone should feel guilty to slowing down, and even taking some time to “veg.”

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I was searching for a 1000 piece puzzle but I’m actually glad now that they didn’t have one since my focus is so short. ha. I’m glad you’ve been able to ride more, Bill. That’s such a gift to be able to exercise your body and soul in the great outdoors. Our weather has been hit-and-miss here, and unfortunately my mood is sometimes tied too closely to it. On beautiful sunny days I feel uplifted, but the stormy cold ones bring me down. I’m thankful God is more faithful and stable than I am. I’m depending on his faithfulness.

  4. Marie

    I think I’ll get out my puzzles again. I haven’t worked on them for quite a while.
    Thanks for the incentive boost!
    Blessings to you and yours!
    Marie

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thanks, Marie. With no one coming into our house, I’ve been able to set up a card table in the middle of the living room for my puzzle and just leave it out there. 🙂 Hope you find a puzzle that brings you peace.

  5. Martha J Orlando

    I find I’m taking more time to read during this time, Lisa, and watching reruns of the old Andy Griffith Show as an escape. Television is NOT something I watch on a regular basis, with the exception of one or two shows, so this is my way of simply sitting back and letting go of the usual routine. Still keeping up with blogging though, and reading the blogs of others. Always enlightening!
    Blessings!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I’m glad you’re still blogging, Martha! And Andy Griffith is always good for a laugh. 🙂 Sometimes that is the very thing God wants to give us–a good dose of humor and light-heartedness (although Andy was also good for more serious lessons too). Stay safe and well!

  6. Linda Stoll

    And maybe the grace-filled permission to ‘be’ puts us in the place where we’ll be a bit more enthusiastic {or at least interested!} in the ‘doing’ that must be done at some point but not necessarily right now.

    ;-}

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Exactly, Linda. Sometimes in the letting go, we receive back. When I take the pressure off myself, I am more apt to bounce back quicker. And if not? That’s okay for now too. 🙂 Thanks for always being a giver of grace, friend.

  7. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    It’s been a longish season
    of hearing death’s dun wings,
    and though it might seem treason,
    I thought I’d share some things
    that I have learned along the way,
    that now make life seem whole;
    I know now my true work is play,
    and that I have a role
    in spreading happiness abroad
    in word, in deed, in prayer,
    in telling of a mighty God
    who may not seem to care
    until you come to understand
    the gentle touch of Mighty Hands.

  8. Laurie

    I also feel guilty about doing something just for fun. Why? I feel like I should be doing something productive all the time. Bill and I started 2 big projects during the quarantine – we clean out the basement when the weather is bad and distribute mulch in the flowerbeds when the weather is good. We are now working on weeding and mulching a huge honeysuckle bank that got all overgrown with weeds. My guilty pleasure is doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku that come in the newspaper. I am going to give myself permission to be lazy more often and do the things I enjoy doing.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      We have similar guilty pleasures, Laurie. I’ve been doing a lot more Sudoku at night, and although I haven’t picked up any of my crossword puzzle books in awhile, they are favorites for me as well. Jeff wouldn’t dream of doing either. ha. He is still going to work everyday so life hasn’t really changed for him too much but he’s the type that would be tackling big projects like you and Bill. I love your two-prong approach that you can do one or the other, depending on the weather.

  9. Bev @ Walking Well With God

    Lisa,
    I was drawn in by the title of your post. It’s almost as if we need “permission” to just do nothing. I like Celeste’s quote about developing “a new appreciation for idleness.” I read a book about inventors and one thing that many had in common is that they were allowed to get bored. When we get bored, it’s like the creative switch gets flicked to “On.” We are so programmed and scheduled that important things like rest, reflection, and creativity get squeezed out. Loved this post! Beautiful puzzles!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      This is so true, Bev: “We are so programmed and scheduled that important things like rest, reflection, and creativity get squeezed out.” It’s so counterintuitive, isn’t it? I’ve started reading sample pages from “Permission to Feel” and it’s been helpful about giving myself more permission to take it easier. Hope you’re staying well!

  10. David

    Those tweets – “If by the end of the lockdown you haven’t learnt a new language, started a company, and redecorated your house, you know it’s not because of lack of time” – are so toxic. Everyone is on edge and anxious. Our main priority has to be to look after ourselves and the people we love close to us. Your “If we lose touch with our being, our doing is wasted” is exactly right: any “doing” is only a means to an end, the end is to strengthen our “being”.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      How are things across the pond, David? I’ve wondered how it is going for you. I pray that you and your family are staying well.

      Yes, those tweets are toxic to me, too. I suppose they’re helpful for certain personality types, but they aren’t to me. 🙂 This is definitely an abnormal time in everyone’s life and we each need to work it out in ways that suit us best. I agree with you that “the end is to strengthen our being.” I think God would agree as well.

      1. David

        We are well thank you — on I think the seventh jigsaw. The background anxiety is surprisingly tiring. We are prioritising looking after ourselves and each other, and then doing what work we can. The mood in the country seems mostly behind the lockdown, but I think people will be impatient to get back to life once the numbers are reliably low.

        1. LisaNotes Post author

          On your 7th! Way to go. I am on my 5th puzzle now, but it’s been surprisingly harder than the others so it’s taking awhile. Maybe it’s the “background anxiety” kicking in–what an apt phrase! I’ll have to use that. 🙂 Many people here are chomping at the bit to get going again, yet many more (me included) would rather open back up more slowly and safely if we can ever get adequate testing.

  11. ~ linda

    You know what I have been doing (besides projects around the house, writing notes to shut-ins, and talking to a few friends on the phone) is taking a class on the Constitution of the USA through Hillsdale College/online. The Intro and the Constitution 101 plus a class on CS Lewis and many more are free! So I am loving taking my high school civics again cuz I have forgotten all of that stuff. I am doing well and actually liking giving myself room to do whatever I want to do. And sometimes, Lisa, that means a nap!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      How interesting, Linda! Those sound like invigorating topics that I would enjoy as well. I’m proud of your tenaciousness. You’ve seemed to find a great balance. Especially if you include naps. 🙂

  12. Amber Johnson

    I think you make a lot of good points. This quarantine sucks in a lot of ways, but on the other hand we’ve been given a gift of time. I’ve debated with myself whether I should be using this time to further my skills, or just lounge and watch Netflix all day. If I do that, I feel guilty, but if I try to tackle a project, my heart sometimes isn’t in it.

    Thank you for a great post, I completely enjoyed it.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      You’re right that we have been given a gift of time. I’m wondering how many of our “old” activities we will even want to resume once this is over. This is a great opportunity for us to evaluate our priorities. Watching Netflix all day definitely doesn’t make the list for me. ha. But, occasional days off with mindless activities are allowed in this pandemic, so if that works for someone, so be it. lol. I’ll stick with my puzzles. 🙂

  13. Jeanna

    That seems like a pretty good puzzle box you have any way. I wonder if you can find some online even though it won’t be the same it might be something. Other types of puzzles such as word searches might scratch that itch as well.
    I don’t have the patience for anything like that although at the beginning of this I bought some “fart putty” which I’ve since thrown away and a bag of jacks which I still have on my coffee table.
    Getting outside and away from noisy and annoying neighbors is essential, on top of which I’m a caretaker for my soon to be 95-year-old mom who’s in her own apartment and needs extra attention through all of this.
    There’s nothing wrong with fixing up the house or yard or productivity, but I get what you’re saying about letting go.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      You’re right that other types of puzzles also scratch that itch. I love doing Sudoku so I’ve been upping my time there at night especially. I’ve been given some great recommendations for jigsaw puzzles online, so that will be my next go-to move if I finish these puzzles.

      My neighbors have done so well to accomplish some big home projects this past month; I wish my heart could get into that as well. Maybe after this is all over I will? Nah, probably not. 😉

      Blessings to you as you take care of your mom, Jeanna! That’s very important work you’re doing to keep her safe and well, especially in a separate location than you. Hope you are getting lots of outside time to stay well yourself.

  14. Beth Steffaniak

    I’m a high-energy person, Lisa. I get that from my father who never seemed to slow down during his lifetime. He was always doing something productive. So I struggle to slow my pace as well, not to mention, feeling as if I can’t for various reasons. Your question is good for me to consider, though. And I think I might even agree with the quote about productivity killing us. Thanks for yanking my chain, friend! Lol! Always great to visit your place!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I have a friend who is similar to you, Beth. Her family has been accomplishing lots of home improvement projects during this time; I’m really quite jealous because I wish I were motivated to do that too. But even in the best of times, that’s not my thing. 🙂 So naturally it wouldn’t be now either. lol. It’s good that God made us all different. There’s beauty in each and grace for all!

  15. Joanne

    I’ve been working on puzzles and all sorts of other activities; some days I feel real productive and others not so much but I think that’s OK. I was fortunate to have quite a few puzzles in boxes waiting for me to get bored enough to tackle them.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      This is an important key: “some days I feel real productive and others not so much but I think that’s OK.” Yes, that’s ok. Thanks, Joanne! That’s what I’m trying to give myself permission for. Have fun with your puzzles if that brings you pleasure. It would be a torture chamber for my husband. lol. To each his own. 🙂

  16. Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours

    To accomplish or be lazy… That is the question during these crazy days! You already know we’re using this unexpected time to rebuild the porch on our century-old home. Much work still ahead, but I’m loving the sense of accomplishment. However, we’re sleeping later, reading, watching TV, putting in flower beds, calling friends we haven’t talked to in awhile. I seriously cannot imagine being bored! And I’m loving the freedom to take a break whenever we decide to.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Sounds like you’re doing it just right, Susan! A little work, a little rest, and lots of freedom with both. I’ve yet to get bored either. 🙂 There are always more things to do than time to do them. And when there is extra time, there are always books (and puzzles). lol. That’s why I have to remind myself to sometimes do nothing instead of hopping from one thing to the next. My soul needs more rest these days.

  17. Trudy

    This is so good, Lisa! I so need to give myself that grace-filled permission. I needed it even before Covid. At our condo association, we usually have a puzzle in progress in the Commons Area. Someone frames them and hangs them in the hallway between our condos. I usually put in a piece once in a while when I got our mail, but guilt feelings quickly robbed me of that leisure. 🙁 Just before Covid I decided I would help with a beautiful nature scene. I learned how much it helped me to relax and it set me to reflecting how one piece of our lives makes no sense, but God always knows the bigger picture. 🙂 But then came Covid, so we had to enforce some rules of no puzzling and no getting together in the Commons area. Hopefully we’ll learn to allow ourselves time to just “be,” my friend. But I agree that doing puzzles with grandkids is much more fun. 🙂 Love and blessings to you!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Aw, that is sad about the puzzling being off the table (no pun intended) for now. But it makes perfect sense. Hopefully those kind of group activities will be able to return one day, although I don’t see it happening anytime soon. My husband is more than happy to keep his fingers away from my puzzles. ha. It is not something that brings him joy. 🙂 Praying you’re staying well, sweet friend!

  18. Hazlo Emma

    Lisa,
    Everyone has a unique situation working for them.
    It is so difficult to do nothing because my clock mastered the adrenaline rush of the fast paced life. Before the lockdowns and quarantine life, I had my ‘plates’ and ‘hands’ full. The business world cannot shut down and is not shutting down any time soon. It is all in the balance and a personal mental state of being. Oh, I my plates and hands are full with so much work even if its business unusual. Yes, some business facets are on a go-slow. Each day, I tick and check my list of things to do. I am still slumped with a lot to do and cover – more like filling in the gaps.
    But there are days when I have to decide that self care saves lives too.
    I have queued the post to share on social media.
    H Emma | https://thextraordinarionly.com

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      You hit the nail on the head, Hazlo: everyone has a unique situation. Thus, we each have to go by our own inner and outer guidelines that fit our personality and situation. This is so true: “It is all in the balance and a personal mental state of being.” You are wise to still remember to do self-care. All the things we need to do become impossible if we lose our ability to do them.

  19. April

    Lisa, I really like how you’ve given encouragement in this ‘do nothing’ approach. It’s so very true that if we continue to try and fill our days where each hour is packed with doing a new thing or cleaning out old things, then we will miss a great opportunity for rest. Our souls need it, our minds need it and our bodies need it too. There is still much to discover, when we simply take time to chill.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, April. Souls, minds, and bodies need rest–you’ve covered it all. When we allow ourselves the necessary rest, we’re more able to function at our best the rest of the time. Stay well!

  20. Mary Geisen

    There is so much truth in our push toward productivity and how we are now handling the stay at home order. I have always thought that taking the time to watch a movie was not productive and I still think that even though I am retired and now am at home all the time. I love the call to just “be”. I can do that.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I know what you’re saying, Mary. Even though I’m unofficially retired, too, I would never dream of watching a movie in the middle of the day. As if it makes a difference whether it’s day or night! ha. The pull toward productivity is a good one, but just within reason and with intention. Hope you have some “being” time today.

  21. Calvonia Radford

    I have been working from home during this pandemic so not much changed with the exception of the numerous church activities and/or community organizations we participate in. Currently, I am staying with my daughter and her husband who had their first child via c section. What a contrast. I have read some in a book I’ve been reading too long. I’ve written a blog, listened to some trainings, cooked….and found time to rest my weary mind. Nothing for me is having the time to do those things that bring me joy without interruption. I’m blessed to have that experience, if only temporarily.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Oh wow. Having a newborn in your home and a recovering daughter plus work is definitely keeping you busy, Calvonia! But what a beautiful reminder that life goes on! Congratulations to you all. Get in some self-care when you can, even if it’s only here and there. I’m sure you’re an important cog in this wheel of keeping things going in your household.

  22. Cheryl

    I know exactly what you mean, Lisa. Over the past few years, the Lord has really had us on a journey of slowing down, letting go, and following Jesus more intently than ever before. It seems that He has been preparing us for such a time as this. In that process, I have learned to live inside the sphere of each moment and allow white space to be filled however He chooses to fill it. To be more flexible and less demanding of myself, since I am not in control of my circumstances neither am I responsible for anything except to live and walk out what He orchestrates and designs. It is SO liberating to live each moment fully surrendered to Him, always allowing Him to lead! Thank you for this post and for your kind comments left on my blog today! They truly meant so much.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Your comment is so beautiful and insightful, Cheryl! Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I’m still not doing very well at creating lots of white space, but it is my intention. I pray that the Lord will continue to show me what I need to let go of so that I can be more flexible to his guidance instead of my own schedule. I appreciate your example.

  23. Donna Reidland

    A friend of ours said years ago comparing us to another culture, we Americans live to work, they work to live. We seem to feel like we must work and work. Whereas, they were content when that day’s work was done.

    I guess I’ve done a combination of extra work and some just because I want to stuff. I’m plenty busy since I can continue my work and ministry from home, counseling (through zoom) and writing. But I also started working on my scrapbooks again and it’s been fun. Too often when I do a scrapbook it’s for a gift and I’m under pressure to get it done. This time I’m just working at my own pace. I’ve also been doing a lot more cooking and that’s been nice.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Sounds like you have a good balance, Donna. I’ve continued to blog and lead my Psalm 91 Memory group, which are activities that I enjoy and also nourish my soul. I used to scrapbook years ago but haven’t in a long while. I’m sure your photo collections are beautiful and definitely valuable to those you’ve gifted them to, yourself included!

  24. Susan Shipe

    It is so okay to do nothing. However, it’s a hard thing for me!! I’m thankful for my work-from-home fulltime job as a customer service mgr. And, I love being home and I honor Sabbath rest. But I do like a good project! I tend to thrive in situations like these – they get my creative juices flowing!!!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I’m glad God wired you like he did, Susan. We need people like you who can go even stronger in times like this to balance us out. 🙂 I know you keep your priorities aligned. May God continue to bless you as you touch lives through your work.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Great post at your blog, Lila. My mother passed away with Alzheimer’s as well. She was definitely a doer, but she did believe in a 30-minute nap after lunch; I remember that so distinctly. 🙂 You really point out great contrasts between being idle and being too busy. “Let’s work well but really rest well, too.” Yes!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Exactly, Lauren. No judgment – I have to tell myself that often because I can point a finger at myself when I feel I’m not doing “enough.” We definitely need to keep a proper mix.

  25. Linda S

    I am choosing to keep things simple, allowing us to leave some margin in our lives rather than pushing to accomplish big projects or extra work.
    We make time for fresh air and sunshine everyday, we get our regular work and chores done, after that no pressure 🙂
    Out shopping for food and supplies today, I noticed the jigsaw puzzles were sold out, and very little was left in the yarn, fabric, art supply sections. People keeping busy at home!
    Thank you for your encouraging words and insightful perspective, Lisa.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Sounds like we’re on the same track, Linda. I’m still doing my regular things, but also adding in more time to be outside and do a few extra fun things. My husband and I even did tried yoga for the first time this week with some youtube videos. I’m not sure it will stick though; we’ve already missed a few nights. ha. But it’s been fun to have more margin to play. That’s interesting that the art supply section was also wiped out. Who would have predicted this??? Only God. 🙂

  26. Karen Friday

    Powerful reflections, Lisa. It does seem to be these 2 lines of thinking floating around. I agree, there’s a balance. Love this from Celeste: ““Improvement is healthy, but not every moment of your day should be leveraged in an attempt to make you a better person.”

    We absolutely do need space for rest and contentment. Or else the busyness of our lives crowd out what we may need most for balance.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, balance is so important, especially when so much of our time feels like it’s in our own hands now. I still make a loose schedule every day of things I want to accomplish, even though I never finish the list. 🙂 I have to remind myself that it’s okay to skip things or push things to another day when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. God wants us to trust his schedule more than our own. Thanks, Karen!

  27. Jean Wise

    we are doing puzzles too – and this is NOT a usual activity for us but we are enjoying them. I found the first several weeks I couldn’t concentrate much and doing nothing was a good option. But now I am more motivated. What could I get done by the end of May? How do I want to look back at this time? Being a number 3, I do want to accomplish something.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I agree that it’s getting a little easier to concentrate now. Thankfully! I’m sure as a 3 that this is a different experience for you. 🙂 I’ve heard from lots of 3s who are cranking out the podcasts these days and being very productive. That does make it nice for those of us who like to enjoy the fruits of their labor! 🙂

  28. Maree dee

    Wow, I needed this post. I am a member of this – “We are members of the cult of efficiency, and we’re killing ourselves with productivity.”

    I have been busier than ever during this time. Today, I will rest. Thank you for your insightful article.

  29. BettieG

    Oh, this process of learning to just “be” seems to have been a years-long process for me. I have gone through seasons where I have thought that I’ve made so much progress, and then I would realize that I had ended many tasks only to just fill up my days with other busy tasks. I am thankful that God is persistent to keep calling me to just be with Him, to make time to rest. Thank you for your encouraging reminder here!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      It is a long learning curve, isn’t it? I keep wanting to learn the lesson once and for all, but I keep circling back around again and again. 🙁 I have lost many of the volunteer activities that I had been involved in, so you’d think I’d have lots more free time, but somehow I continue to fill it with blogging or writing or video chatting, etc. God, keep working on me!

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