‘Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something’ - Winnie the Pooh

With a 3-day weekend ahead of us, there is the common question being asked, ‘what are you going to do over the long weekend’? With the cooler weather and bright blue sky, people often feel like they should have plans, but how often do we actually plan to do nothing? How often do you just stop? I mean really stop doing stuff. This would include disconnecting from your TV, your email, your computer, movies, and everything that’s not directly related to you or something you can touch.

Whether it is chores, children, work or working your way through your bucket list, life moves at an incredibly fast pace, especially in Dubai! Most of us can feel guilty when we do ‘nothing’ and get a buzz from being super busy, but there are so many benefits to having empty time. Through doing nothing, feelings of stress can be lifted, opportunities for reflection created and in turn, problem solving and creativity thrive. There are many well-known examples of brilliant ideas that came to people “out of nowhere”, from Archimedes in his bath, to Newton in his Lincolnshire garden and Paul McCartney who woke one morning having composed the tune for “Yesterday” in his sleep. So, by taking time to do nothing you may in turn be more productive and successful.

Children are as busy as adults these days, with school in the week and weekends and evenings filled with swimming, football and other extra curricular activities. Having free time is equally important for our children. It creates opportunities to day dream, contemplate, reflect, relax and recharge the batteries.‘Nothing’ time also create opportunities for children to just enjoy being children. Where they can create games and explore the world around them. What wonderful opportunities ‘nothing’ time can offer.

Have a lovely long weekend, hopefully with a splash of ‘nothing’...

Ruth Gibson
Assistant Headteacher