Why Doing Nothing is Therapy for Introverts

Introverts hate crowds. Not just crowds, any place that has more than 2 people. Gyms, parks, parking lots. And then there are other things. An incoming phone calls hurts right in the middle of their chest. Loud noises feel like hammers to the head. Overfilled inbox. Parties. Stupid office meetings.

Why? Why are we like that?

Have you asked yourself why can’t I be just normal. Like other people. I certainly have. And I don’t even remember how many times.

Wish I was a little less sensitive. Feeling everything all the time overwhelms the life out of me.

And living in a world of social media just makes it 100 times worse. You know why?

Psychological experiments have proved that introverts are wired to soak in emotions like a sponge. Your level of sensitivity is way, way higher than non-introverts.

You know what that does to you?

You are feeling everything you watch on the internet. Doesn’t matter if they are cute cat videos, politics, or war debates, it’s taxing your energy. On the surface you may feel it’s a harmless activity. But on a subconscious level, you’re draining like a battery on red.

Your subconscious doesn’t know if it’s real or on a 6 inch screen. It’s job is the feel and react and regulate emotions and heart beat and blood flow based on what you’re feeling in that moment.

And the more you feel, the more you drain. And the more you drain, the more you feel tired, overwhelmed, and anxious.

Can you stop it? No.

Should you lock yourself in a room forever? Wish that was possible, but practically, you can’t.

Should you stop using the internet for entertainment or knowledge? Certainly not.

Is there a way to manage this overwhelming feeling? Yes there is…

The Power of Doing Nothing

All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone. – Blaise Pascal

I read that quote and thought, I can do that. Don’t I do that? Do I???

The truth is… we don’t.

When was the last time you were waiting in a queue and you just waited. When was the last time you were lying in your bed and you just lay there.

And if you’re an introvert, it’s ten times harder. You mind is super sensitive, curious, and every sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste creates an emotion.

And to cope with that emotion, to process it, to digest it, you need do something.

Cigarettes, smartphones, chewing gum, fiddling with an object… just about anything that can help you process or escape that emotion.

This didn’t happen 5,000 years ago. Not even 100 years ago.

Introverts have existed since the beginning of humanity. In caveman times, they were the ones who sat alone staring at the river for hours and then came up with the idea of rubbing two stones and making fire.

The loners. The rebels. The eccentrics. The inventors. The anti-social geniuses.

This is your gift. To think deeply. To read patterns. To read even the subtlest change in emotion that 99% of people are guaranteed to miss.

And to hone and expand and master that gift you need just one thing: Doing nothing.

For introverts, doing nothing is therapy. Therapy for the mind, body, and soul.

It rests your mind, you senses, you heart, and slows down the constant firing of neurons in your brain.

It’s not meditation. It’s not chanting a mantra. It’s not any kind of practice. Because if you add intention to an action, it becomes doing something.

Doing nothing is spontaneous. It just happens.

Today, I woke up, made my coffee, sat on my desk, and just sat there for a while. Arms crossed, looking out the window, just breathing. That’s it.

It’s like a pause in a game. A moment where nothing happens. Everything just stops. Freezes in time. You’re aware of the sounds, the ceiling fan, birds chirping, a dog’s bark, chit-chat outside your door, but you don’t engage in it.

You become an observer. Your only point of focus is the calming sound of your breath.

One evening, I made my green tea and sat in my balcony my favorite spot to sip tea. It was around 6.30 maybe. It had rained that afternoon. The air was fresh and cool. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves. And I just sat there. Feeling the breeze on my face. Drenched in beauty of nature. The tea went cold. 2 hours went by. And I was filled with a feeling that’s impossible to put into words. The only thing I can think of is ecstasy.

That’s the kind of ‘doing nothing’ I’m talking about.

You cease to exist. You become one with everything. No self. No ego. No work. No chores. No past. No future. No nothing. Just that moment of existence.

And that moment heals you. Calms your mind. Nourishes you soul. Expands your consciousness. Refills the well of your creativity.

It brings you closer to your being. It helps you experience your true self.

However brief that moment may be, it makes a permanent change in your psyche. You start seeing the world and your own life in a different light.

Because it connects you to the essence of this whole universe: Nothingness.

Your super-sensitive nervous system needs a break from all this stimulation. And when you don’t give it that break, it burns out. And the smoke from a burnt-out nervous system shows up as anxiety, overwhelm, over-thinking, mental fog, tiredness, depression, addiction to drugs & alcohol, and even some chronic diseases. I have explained it in detail in my book Born to Stand Out, you can check it out HERE.

I cannot stress this enough, but you’re not wired to take in so much stimulation. It may feel like a short-term relief, but it’s doing long-term damage. Both mentally and physically.

Take some time out for yourself. Life is busy. You have responsibilities. Kids, job, rent, school, education, running a family. I understand. Sometimes we forget ourselves under the burden of the world. But don’t forget this: when you take care of yourself, you can take better care of others.

Don’t run away from yourself. Sit with yourself. Next time you find some free time, don’t grab your phone and start watching reels. Do the opposite. Put away your phone, take a deep breath, and immerse yourself that moment.

Just sit & breathe. That’s it.

It’s free. You can do it anytime, anywhere. It’s like a fast charger for your mind and body.

Go for a long walk in the woods. Just strolling without any destination or purpose.

Go to the beach, sink your feet in the sand, and stare at the ocean.

Sit by your window, and just look out.

Go up to the terrace at night and lie down under the stars.

Stare at a wall.

Stare at the moon.

Stare at a painting.

Pause while washing the dishes.

Pause after taking the first sip of coffee.

Wake up in the morning and just sit in your bed for a while.

Hug someone you love, stay quiet, and just breathe in their embrace.

Don’t talk, don’t act, don’t try.

Pause. Just pause for a while.

That’ll do.

Doing nothing is not just a need, it’s therapy for the soul.

Try it.

Stay blessed,
Karun

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