Doing Nothing is Doing Something

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

This iconic quote from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is one of my favorites. It’s a reminder of the importance of slowing down in a world that often feels like it’s spinning too fast.

For those unfamiliar, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a 1986 classic directed by John Hughes. The story revolves around Ferris Bueller, a charismatic high schooler who fakes being sick to skip school and enjoy an unforgettable day in Chicago. Along for the ride is his best friend, Cameron Frye. While Matthew Broderick’s Ferris is the star, it’s Cameron’s journey, portrayed by Alan Ruck (any Succession fans out there?), that leaves a lasting impact.

Cameron begins the day riddled with anxiety, a fear of confrontation, and a profound sense of powerlessness in his own life (anyone? anyone? *said in the monotone voice of Ferris’ teacher reading out the attendance*). By the end, however, he undergoes a transformation. When faced with the consequences of the day’s misadventures Cameron decides to confront his fears. His story shifts from one of passive survival to active self-empowerment. Cameron’s journey highlights the film’s deeper themes of self-discovery and personal empowerment, contrasting Ferris’s playful rebellion with a more profound, emotional transformation. It’s a reminder that, for some, breaking free from expectations can be a life-changing act of liberation.

Everyone is Exhausted

I often think about Cameron’s transformation when I talk to clients who feel overwhelmed by the endless responsibilities of adulthood: work, relationships, family, social commitments, hobbies, exercise, eating well, and simply surviving. Many people feel caught in a relentless cycle, and when I suggest the idea of rest, the response is often, “But when? How?” or even, “That feels lazy.”

We live in a culture that equates productivity with worth and rest with indulgence. Layer onto that the systemic pressures of a world not designed for human wellness, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel depleted. As the Nap Ministry’s Tricia Hersey puts it:

“You are exhausted physically and spiritually because the pace created by this system is for machines and not a magical and divine human being. Your body has information to share with you, but you must slow down to receive it. There is power in knowing you are enough right now and always.”

Reframing Rest

What if we stopped viewing rest as something to be earned and instead embraced it as a necessity? Rest isn’t just a pause button on productivity—it’s a vital act of care for ourselves and those around us. Far from being “nothing,” rest is an active state where so much happens: listening, sensing, imagining, dreaming, healing, thriving, hoping, and creating space for change.

Doing nothing is, in fact, doing something. It’s allowing ourselves the chance to recharge, to reconnect with who we are beyond our to-do lists, and to envision a life not ruled by constant output. Like Cameron, stepping away might just help us reclaim what’s most important—and ourselves.

So, no, I’m not suggesting you play hooky and jump on a parade float downtown (though it does look fun). But what if, just for today, you allowed yourself to slow down, look around, and do “nothing”? You might be surprised at what you discover.