You know that feeling when you tick something off your to-do list? That tiny rush of aha, like you just conquered Mount Everest in your chappals. Trust me, I live for that feeling. It’s like an instant hit of relief—some invisible burden finally off your head.
But let’s be honest, sometimes the “burden” is just the mental equivalent of remembering to put back the TV remote. Still, ticking it off feels like you achieved something worthy of a Padma Shri.
And here’s where it gets interesting: when you’ve spent enough time marinating in this delicious soup of productivity, you start craving that high even on days when you genuinely have nothing to do.
I mean, there are days when life is actually peaceful. No deadlines, no WhatsApp pings from your boss, no long grocery lists your spouse WhatsApps you in the middle of your nap. Just…a free day.
But if you’re a serial task-ticker like me, this is when your brain pulls out its bag of tricks.
And before you know it, you’re adding “rearrange sock drawer” and “organise old electricity bills” just to feel important.
It’s a real thing—dopamine addiction. That constant urge to stay busy so you can feel like you matter. I know, because I’ve been there, obsessively conjuring random tasks so I don’t feel like a lazy bum.
These days, I’ve learned to ask myself: Is this really worth doing? Or am I just stuffing my day with imaginary productivity to avoid the discomfort of free time?
More often than not, it’s the latter.
And you know what? It’s absolutely fine to have nothing to do.
Let me say that again, for the people scrolling this on the toilet: It’s okay to have nothing to do.
It doesn’t mean you’re useless. It doesn’t mean you’re wasting your life. Some days, you’re allowed to just be a potato. Read a book. Call up your old friend and bitch about how that college hottie must be an old auntie now.
Go sip chai at the corner tapri. Or simply sprawl on the sofa and watch three episodes of that series you pretend you hate.
Because here’s a reality check—nobody gives a damn about your to-do list.
Your boss isn’t waking up every morning wondering, Has he finally organised that kitchen shelf? Your neighbours aren’t gossiping about how you skipped your Sunday productivity rituals. Your cat doesn’t care if you haven’t vacuumed in a month.
Your to-do list is for you, and only you.
So if today you want to ignore it, chuck it aside, and just exist—that’s not failing. That’s life.
And trust me, tomorrow it will probably fill up again with more stuff than you can handle. So give yourself permission to take it easy while you can.
Because you know what? You’re already enough, even if you do nothing today.
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