Creating Something from a Day of Nothing

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When weekends and school breaks roll around, I often find myself playing the role of an enthusiastic event planner. Think of me as a modern-day version of Julie McCoy from the iconic show from the ’70s, where she ensured everyone on the Love Boat had a blast. Just like her, I feel it’s my duty to fill our schedule with activities to keep the family entertained.

Our weekends are typically a whirlwind of chaos. My partner and I are like two ships passing in the night, juggling school sports, birthday parties, and social plans while trying to sneak in snacks along the way. Finding “free” time can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. So when I spot an empty slot on the calendar—even if it’s just a few hours—I can’t resist the urge to fill it with plans. I coordinate trips to visit Grandma, outings, and family bowling nights. It can be tricky to find activities that everyone enjoys, but I believe it’s my responsibility to keep us busy and having fun; wasting a free day is not an option!

I keep a large calendar in our kitchen, packed with family activities. Often, it’s a messy sight, with boxes overflowing with notes. One Saturday morning, after my first cup of coffee, I glanced at the calendar and noticed that February 16 was completely blank.

According to Webster’s, “nothing” means “not anything.” And on that day, we truly had nothing planned.

Surprisingly, I decided to embrace it. Although it felt a bit odd at first, we declared February 16 a “nothing day.” Inspired by a book I once read to my kids, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback, which teaches that you can make something out of nothing, I was curious to see how my kids would respond.

Each of my children woke up, puzzled and asking, “What’s the plan for today?” When I told them, “Nothing,” their surprise was palpable. However, just like Joseph in the story, they proved to be resourceful. They lounged in their PJs all day, delved into board games that often collected dust, read non-school-related books, and even played video games together, laughing the entire time. As the day wound down, we all gathered for a movie night.

The best part of that day was watching my kids, who usually pass each other like ships in the hallway or sit side by side in the car with headphones on, genuinely connect and enjoy each other’s company. To my partner and me, that was truly something special.

The rest of the February break returned to our usual busy routine, filled with tickets to hockey games, a ski trip, and haircuts. However, I plan to give myself permission for another “nothing day” soon. It turns out, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with embracing a day of nothing.

For more insights on family life and parenting, check out our other blog posts, which include tips on fertility supplements from Make A Mom and wonderful resources on pregnancy at IVF Babble.

In summary, taking a break from our busy schedules can lead to unexpected fun and deeper family connections. Embracing a “nothing day” may be just what your family needs to recharge and enjoy each other’s company.