REST: Why Is It So Hard to Do Nothing?

A Simpler Rhythm

This blog is both an essay and a quiet announcement.

For the past few months, I’ve been publishing a lot—four days a week. Part of that came from a desire to write more, to practice the craft and perhaps solidify the belief in myself that I am, indeed, a “writer.”

Writing more frequently has been good for me.

But dare I say it has been good for you?

I’m not so sure.

I am practically a Luddite, but I have enough sense to look at the data every now and then and ask: How is this landing?

And the data says something fairly obvious: few people have time—or perhaps the desire—to read four blogs a week.

But there is a deeper question I’ve been asking myself: Am I contributing to the very noise I encourage people to tune out?

Quite possibly.

More writing does not necessarily mean more connection. And when I publish that frequently, I inevitably begin creating content simply because it is time to publish again.

That isn’t what I want this space to become.

What we are all grappling with is life. So, in the spirit of the simplicity I wholeheartedly believe in, I’m introducing a new rhythm: one question each week about how we live.

Sometimes personal. Sometimes seasonal, scientific, spiritual, witchy, or practical. But always human first.

In doing this, I’m creating space. Less email for readers. More breathing room for each piece. And more room in my own life for travel, living, and writing books.

I also want to hear from you. Your feedback matters enormously to me. While there isn’t a comment section here, you’re always welcome to email me at dani@coachingwithdanijk.com or if you’ve received the blog via email, simply reply to it.

I suspect this transition will be easier for you than it will be for me.

Which brings me to this week’s question: Why is doing less so damn hard?

The Trouble With Rest

The American way has long tended toward measuring a good day by accomplishment. Productivity becomes part of our identity. Self-reliance. Do more with less. Work harder. Keep going.

My intention as a simplicity living coach is to challenge some of those assumptions and create a permission structure for doing things differently—to live more intentionally, more simply, and a little more in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

And as we shift more fully into autumn, nature offers a useful reminder:

Growth is slowing, but nature isn’t failing.

Energy is simply changing direction.

And ours can too.

Doing less isn’t about becoming less. Rest and periods of idleness give our minds room to wander, restore depleted attention, and create space for insight and creativity. Paradoxically, stepping away can even help us return to our work with greater clarity.

Perhaps resting itself isn’t actually the hard part.

Perhaps what’s difficult is untangling rest from our ideas about productivity, usefulness, and identity.

Who are we when we aren’t accomplishing something?

Maybe autumn is a good season to find out.

Simplicity Living Practice: Protect Some Empty Space

Some of my favorite memories are spontaneous eruptions—things that happened precisely because nothing else was planned.

So this week, deliberately leave one block of time unfilled.

Don’t quietly turn it into errands, a class, housework, or another item from the list.

Let the space remain space.

Maybe you’ll pick up a book. Take a walk. Daydream about a trip. Sit outside with a cup of tea. Or do absolutely nothing.

Try not to decide in advance.

When the empty space arrives, listen for what you actually want to experience in that moment.

And then give yourself permission to experience it.

Sage Wisdom

Not every empty space needs filling.

Some spaces need protecting.

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