The Art of Doing Nothing: Why Being Lazy on Your Day Off Might Be the Healthiest Thing You Can Do

Before a day off, many of us make the same hopeful promise: “Finally, I’ll relax!”

But what usually happens?

We fill that precious time with errands, cleaning, cooking, organizing, and a dozen little to-dos that somehow leave us feeling just as tired—sometimes even more exhausted—than we were before. The idea of relaxing becomes just that—an idea. Not a reality.

We all work to live, but more often than not, it feels like we live to work. I consider myself a hard worker, and I know I’m not alone in that. But my schedule looks a little different from the standard five-days-on, two-days-off pattern. I work in a shop, following a hybrid rhythm: two days on, two days off. On the surface, that sounds like a nice balance. But here’s the irony—my working days aren’t the hardest part of my routine. My days off are.

You might wonder, “Why?”

Well, here’s the truth: I didn’t know how to be lazy.

My brain doesn’t shut off just because I’m not clocked in. The dirty dishes still call to me. The laundry basket doesn’t stop overflowing. Dust keeps gathering no matter how often I clean. On top of all that, I felt a quiet pressure to be the “perfect girlfriend.” I thought that a spotless apartment and home-cooked meals were proof of love. That the cleaner the house, the deeper the affection.

Spoiler alert: none of that was true.

My boyfriend—bless his patient, loyal heart—had to teach me something that felt absolutely foreign to me: how to be lazy.

Yes, you read that right. He literally taught me how to rest.

He’d say things like, “It’s your day off. You’re allowed to sleep in, take another nap if you want, binge-watch a series, or push chores to tomorrow. That’s what a break is for.”

At first, I resisted the idea. I felt guilty for not doing more. But eventually, I began to understand what he meant. I started to see rest not as laziness, but as necessary maintenance—just like eating or sleeping. Over time, I created a rhythm for my days off that works beautifully for me: 80% relaxation, 20% housework.

Let me show you what one of those days looks like:

Wake up at 12:00 PM. (I know that sounds late, but I work 11-hour shifts. I’ve earned it.)

Have a quick breakfast.

Sip a lovely cup of coffee in silence.

Watch an episode of the series I’m currently into.

Maybe nap again, just because I can.

Around 5 or 6 PM, I start tackling some basic chores.

By 8 PM, I’m in the kitchen cooking dinner and prepping lunchboxes for the next day.

From 10 PM to midnight, we wind down—my boyfriend, our rabbit, and me—just watching TV and being present.

It’s not a day full of productivity. It’s not even a day of accomplishment in the traditional sense. But it feels good. It recharges me in ways that a checklist never could.

So, is it normal to be lazy on your day off?

More than normal—it’s healthy. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is nothing at all. Rest is not a reward you have to earn. It’s a right.

And if you’re someone who struggles with the idea of slowing down, trust me: being lazy is a skill. One that takes time to learn, but once you do, it can change the way you experience your life outside of work.

And yes—it’s a lesson worth mastering.