Nothing Day 2025: Why Is Embracing The Art Of Rewinding Good For Us

Ever felt guilty for having an unproductive day? Well, here’s your chance to embrace it guilt-free! January 16 marks Nothing Day, an “un-event” dedicated to simply doing nothing. No celebrations, no observances, just a day to relax and let go of the pressure to be productive. This day was proposed by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin in 1972 and has been observed annually in the United States since 1973. 

Nothing Day: History & Significance

Though Nothing Day isn't a federal holiday, it holds a unique place after being added to Chase's Calendar of Events, thanks to the National Nothing Foundation based in Capitola, California.

According to The People's Almanac, this day was established as a form of protest against the increasing number of special days and weeks. Its purpose? To offer Americans a 24-hour period where they can simply exist, without the pressure to celebrate or honour anything.

Haven’t we all thought why there are so many national days and who’s responsible for creating them? According to Day of the Year, there are over 2,000 national days. But why so many? Some are downright silly, and others are just repetitive. You could spend hours on Google searching for an answer, but there isn’t a definitive one.

Why Are There So Many National Days?

It appears that organizations like Day of the Year and National Day Calendar allow anyone to submit a proposal for a national day. If deemed significant enough, an official proclamation is issued. It’s worth noting that these groups are not affiliated with any government and do not declare official national or state holidays. Many of the national days we observe were established long before these organizations existed.

These days primarily aim to spread knowledge and fun. A quick hashtag search for these days reveals how others celebrate them. Moreover, it’s a marketing goldmine for companies to promote their products annually, but it’s not solely about business, there are national days too that also shine a spotlight on causes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Coming back to Nothing Day, it’s not an official holiday, so the concept of doing nothing, particularly in the workplace, can be challenging. Yet, some have perfected the art of doing absolutely nothing, making Nothing Day even more meaningful today. Last year, a question was posted on a Reddit page called UK Jobs, “Has anyone got away with doing absolutely nothing at work?”, sparked an overwhelming response.

How Redditors Managed To Do Absolutely Nothing at Work (And Get Away With It)

One user shared, "I did, for almost a year. I worked for a small rural internet company that relocated after being bought out. I moved with them to train new employees but expressed my reluctance to stay. They sent me back to the old office, saying they'd call with a plan for working in that area. That call never came. After a week, I brought my Xbox to the office. A month later, I stopped going in entirely. I could've dragged it out for ages. I remember going to the cinema and the beach during work hours, and nothing ever came of it."

Another user recalled a similar experience, "I fell through the cracks for six months about 20 years ago at a previous company. I was transferred to another team and would be working in a different location, but there were five months before I could physically move. My new manager thought I was doing something for his boss, and his boss assumed I was doing work for my new manager. I spent my days at the old office talking to people I knew, doing some online learning, etc. After six months, I moved, only to find a reorganization had changed everything about my role."

A third user humorously shared their long stretch of inactivity, "Managed about 6/7 years. I worked in London but my department was based in another office. I kept to one rule: get in early. I’d be at the office by 7:45, almost always the first one in. Once the office filled up, I’d go out for a walk or breakfast. Back by 11ish. At noon, I'd turn off my laptop and go to the pub. Every day. It was very pleasant."

Has anyone got away with doing absolutely nothing at work?
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