Dolce Far Niente

Dolce far niente is an Italian phrase meaning “the sweetness of doing nothing.”

Chilling and doing nothing can be difficult.

I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m a bit of a go-getter. I like to do things and make things and get things done. Stillness challenges me because in the back of my mind, I fear somehow not doing anything equals laziness (or that somehow I’m wasting time).

But I used to be worse.

Back in 2015, I was freelancing at Warner Bros. Studios and tutoring ACT/SAT on the weekends. I noticed that the weekends had me running on fumes and that, with this stress, I wasn’t properly serving my students (or me).

So, I stopped working Sundays.

And I haven't regretted that decision since.

Sometimes, I make Sundays feel like a vacation day by going down to OC, hiking with friends, and enjoying the beauty of Southern California. Other Sundays, after running errands, I may just lie on my bed, with the AC remote in my hand, and listen to sleep music.

I consider rest to be an investment (or, to be punny, an 'inrestment') in my work and in my health. I can only do so much, and I'm perfectly fine.

So, if this Labor Day, you need permission to rest in this chaotic world, here it is.

Enjoy the sweetness.