Beyond the To-Do List: The Radical Act of Simply Being

In a world that constantly demands more—more productivity, more achievement, more responsiveness—it can feel impossible to step away. The idea of doing nothing, of simply BEing, can seem indulgent or even irresponsible. But what if allowing yourself to slow down wasn’t a luxury? What if it was essential?

Jon Kabat-Zinn describes overwhelm as “life somehow unfolding faster than the human nervous system and psyche are able to manage well.” And Brené Brown puts it simply: “Stressed is being in the weeds. Overwhelmed is being blown.”

She explains further: “We feel stressed when we evaluate environmental demand as beyond our ability to cope successfully. This includes elements of unpredictability, uncontrollability, and feeling overloaded.”

“Overwhelmed means an extreme level of stress, an emotional and/or cognitive intensity to the point of feeling unable to function.”

Many of us are walking a fine line between stress and overwhelm. The constant pace of life, work, responsibilities, and global events creates an unrelenting pressure to keep up. And when we can’t, we push harder, believing that rest is something to be earned after everything is done.

But here’s the truth: there will always be one more thing to do. The list never really ends. And if we don’t intentionally create space to pause, to breathe, to process, we risk being carried away by the momentum of it all.

The Power of Doing Nothing

Stepping away doesn’t have to mean an elaborate vacation or a long retreat. It can be as simple as choosing to sit in stillness, to stop the constant doing and allow yourself to simply BE. It means creating moments of quiet where your nervous system can catch up, where your mind can breathe, and where your emotions can surface and be acknowledged.

It’s in this space of non-doing that clarity often emerges. When we slow down, we can feel what needs to be felt, release what needs to be let go, and restore what has been depleted. But to get there, we must first give ourselves permission to pause.

What Holds Us Back?

For many, the idea of slowing down brings resistance. Thoughts like:

• “How can I take time for myself when I don’t even feel like I have enough time for everything I need to do?”

• “How can I make space when I am committed to so many things?”

• “How can I pursue my dreams and thrive when I’m working so hard every day just to survive?”

• “How can I take time for myself when so many people are relying on me?”

These are valid concerns, but the question to ask in return is: How can you not?

Pushing forward without pause doesn’t create more capacity—it drains it. When we give ourselves permission to rest, we don’t just recover; we return with more clarity, energy, and presence. We show up in our work, relationships, and life with greater intention and ease.

Finding Your Space to BE

Taking time to simply BE doesn’t require a massive life overhaul. It starts with small, intentional moments:

• Sitting quietly with a cup of coffee without scrolling your phone.

• Taking a few deep breaths before jumping into your next task.

• Allowing yourself to lay down and rest without feeling guilty.

• Watching the clouds, listening to music, or stepping outside for a walk with no agenda.

These moments of stillness are not wasted time. They are necessary recalibrations—opportunities for your nervous system to reset, your mind to clear, and your body to restore.

The Science Behind Stillness

Research shows that moments of rest activate the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the "rest and digest" state. This counteracts the stress response, lowering cortisol levels, reducing inflammation, and improving overall well-being. Neuroscientists have also found that our brains engage in crucial memory consolidation, creative problem-solving, and emotional processing during moments of idleness.

In other words, stepping away and allowing yourself to BE isn’t just a personal indulgence—it’s a biological necessity. Just as athletes incorporate rest days to allow their muscles to repair and grow, our minds and spirits also require downtime to function optimally.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re feeling the weight of life pressing in, let this be your reminder that it’s okay to stop. It’s okay to put everything down for a moment and simply be with yourself. You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to justify stillness. You are allowed to pause—not because everything is finished, but because you are worthy of care right now.

Give yourself permission to do nothing. To BE. To trust that in the quiet, you will find exactly what you need.

And when you return to your life, you will do so not from a place of depletion, but from a place of renewal, clarity, and strength.

So take a deep breath. Let go of the urgency. And allow yourself the space to simply BE.

Enjoy the journey,

Julie