Have you been through unproductive days? You know you have to get things done; you have a to-do list to check, but you don’t feel like doing anything. You lose focus, and guilt creeps in, followed by self-loathing and forcing yourself to work, but it’s just not working.
In our relentless pursuit of productivity and success, we often forget that there are days when our motivation seems to have taken a vacation, leaving us feeling unproductive and lost. I’m sure many of you have been through such non-productive days. But how do you get through the day without feeling guilty?
It is certainly not easy to function on days when you have low energy or low motivation. So, in this article, we will explore the strategies and mindset shifts that can transform these seemingly wasted hours into opportunities for self-care and slowing down.
This feeling is natural and may result due to several reasons. It may result from burnout, a sign that you have too many things on your plate when you set high and unrealistic expectations for yourself, or simply when you give in to distractions.
Instead of feeling guilty about it and questioning your self-worth, you can allow yourself to slow down and handle unproductive days with grace. It is at this time that you need to love yourself a little more.
Here’s a guide to help you transform unproductive days into moments of serenity and renewal.
1. Accept that you are going through this slower phase
The first thing you can do when you feel like doing nothing is simply acknowledge it. We struggle when we force ourselves to be productive when we know we have entered a slump.
Remind yourself with positive self-talk that it’s okay to feel unproductive sometimes. Allow yourself to let go of the compelling need to be always productive.
Accept yourself exactly as you are right now.
Even nature goes through periods of slump. Some animals hibernate, seasons take turns to show up, and trees shed their leaves only to grow new leaves. We admire the grace and beauty of changing seasons and falling leaves but fail to accept the need to spend a few unproductive and slower days.
Related Post: Simple ways to Slow down and Relax
2. Know that you are not alone
Every person goes through periods of unproductive days. Even well-known writers like J.K Rowling, Leo Tolstoy, and Virginia Woolf have experienced writer’s block.
Remind yourself that you’re not alone, and stop feeling unqualified and incompetent based on just some moments of being unable to do the work. This feeling will surely pass.
Treat it as a phase that shall pass.
This might help: How to Stop Feeling Behind in Life
3. Reprioritize
I had a review due at the end of August, but on August 22nd I had to rush back home due to a family emergency. It wasn’t possible naturally to focus on my work, but the tryna be productive me was forcing me to work at such a time.
Reprioritizing helped me deal with the lack of productivity with ease. Till the 21st of August, my priority had been completing my work, but after August 22nd, family was my priority.
I was simply struggling as I tried to follow the same routine that I had before the family emergency came up.
So, during days when you feel unproductive, you can take some time to reassess your priorities and simply not feel guilty.
4. Take a break
When you feel unmotivated and unproductive, you can simply take a break and get some rest. It’s as simple as that. Take a leave, reprioritize your mental state, rest, and get recharged to get back to work again.
Social Psychologist Devon Price, in his book Laziness Doesn’t Exist, explains that laziness is a sign that our bodies and minds need to slow down.
Simply forget about the work and get some good rest. Productivity is not the only key to success; being unproductive isn’t a sin.
In my first year of Ph.D., I was overwhelmed with the thought of having to read a lot and write a lot. I was even questioning myself if I’d be able to do it. It’s almost the end of the 2nd year of my Ph.D., and I still get overwhelmed and have days when I feel stuck.
The best thing I can do is just take a break. Do you ever overfeed an upset stomach? Then why should we force ourselves to work when we’re feeling down?
Also Read: Habits to Help you Improve your Mental Health
5. Go out in nature
For an instant mood refresh, walking in nature can make you feel good. It can ease us, helping us to be centered and think clearly.
Instead of getting glued to your screens, unplug from technology to connect with nature. It helps us to slow down and be present in the now. The Japanese call this ‘forest bathing’ or Shirin yoku. This is a simple self-care ritual that we can learn from the Japanese.
Find a place that you are connected to. You may not find a forest in the middle of a city, but you can go to a nearby lake or a park with greenery and watch a sunset from your favorite spot or your local nursery. The energy of nature can be healing.
The idea is to simply be in nature. Practicing mindfulness while walking in nature can bring us calm and serenity. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Walking meditation is a wonderful way of establishing calm in ourselves and getting nourished by the wonders of life in the present moment.”
So, try stepping out in nature and experience calmness when you feel unmotivated and unproductive.
6. Practise self-care generously
When you don’t feel good, you have the power to change that feeling. Be kind to yourself and be generous with your dose of self-care.
We tend to be hard on ourselves as the hustle culture and the glorification of productivity make us question our self-worth when we feel unmotivated to work. Forcing yourself to work will not help at all.
Instead, make yourself a cup of warm tea, go for a walk, journal if you want to, call your best friend, play with your pets, or take a nap. Do whatever you have to do to make yourself feel good. Make it a self-love goal to nurture your wellbeing especially on these days.
Self-care doesn’t have to be for the weekend routine; it can be a part of your daily routine.
This might be helpful: Self-care habits of saying yes to everyday
7. Focus on what’s easy
Changing your perspective will help you take control of your situation. When you focus on what’s easy, you can take meaningful steps to achieve your goals.
I have been struggling for days to write, not just for my blog but also for my academic work. Initially, I was forcing myself to write, but it wasn’t working at all.
You won’t believe me, but it has been almost a week since I planned to write this article on dealing with unproductive days. Words weren’t at all flowing.
So, I decided to focus on the smaller parts, reading, creating a framework, and brainstorming. These were the parts that I could focus on, but now I’m back to writing, and it doesn’t feel difficult. I feel recharged and refreshed.
So, ticking off the easier and more doable parts from your to-do list can energize you. Choose what you can do with the energy and focus you have.
8. Be grateful for all the little things in life
Lastly, remember to be grateful for all the simple pleasures of your everyday life. That cup of coffee, a cuddle from your pet, a smile from a stranger.
Gratitude helps us shift our focus from what’s not right to what’s always been right. An unproductive day is just a tiny part of your life, but several reasons bring more meaning and happiness to your life daily.
Here’s a list of 60 gratitude journal prompts to help you.
You may not be productive in one part of your life, but there may be other areas of your life that you may be showing up consistently.
Being unproductive is just a phase that will pass when you allow it to. We can treat rest and not doing anything as an opportunity for self-reflection and self-care. We can handle these moments gracefully once we embrace the valuable lessons that unproductive days can offer.
I hope you’ll not feel guilty again next time you feel unmotivated.
