How to do nothing
Preferred Frame Writing — November 2025
Summary
Doing nothing is harder than it sounds. This article explores the paradox of “active non-action”: the deliberate choice to pause, to not react, and to let life unfold without unnecessary interference. From Lao Tzu’s Wu Wei to the simple act of standing still in the rain, it argues that quieting the mind is the only way to separate signal from noise. By resisting the impulse to constantly act, we create space for clarity, intention, responsibility, and genuine desire. This is not laziness. It is mindful restraint. A practice of simply being. It is OK to stop. It is OK to breathe. It is OK to do nothing.
Keywords
Keywords: mindfulness, non-action, meditation, being, doing