What I Learned In A Year Alone Doing Nothing

I am a first year student in University of Delhi and started college in August of 2019. Although, I had graduated high school in 2018, I decided to take a gap but I had no idea what to do in my “break time”. While I thought I did nothing, little did I know that I was learning some crucial life lessons. Here are a few things that I learned during my gap year doing “nothing”.

1. You Don’t Have To Do Anything

Relax. In this fast pace world we always want to do something and be productive. Doing nothing leads to boredom, right?

Well, Embrace your boredom.

Having some “off” time recharges you and gives you a fresh mind to think clearly and with different perspectives. Sleep, sit idle, sing, think. You don’t always have to do something productive.

2. “Lonely” Can Be Turned Into “Alone”

Lonely - sadness = Alone

This came to me rather like a harsh reality. By the time I decided to take a gap year, all my friends had already started with their colleges and I was the only one left behind. I was lonely indeed. Being the person who always needed a group of friends, it was a tough situation to deal with. But soon I realized the power and liberty of being alone.

“Those who fly solo have the strongest wings.”

Being alone gave me the space to know more about myself. To Notice things that I never knew about me before. I realized how I loved listening to 80’s rock music that my friends didn’t know much about. I met the spiritual side of me that I didn’t know exists. I was still lonely but happy. I was happy to be alone.

3. Self-care Is A Must

Self-care can be an entire different article (which by the way will come out soon so stay tuned!) but I thought of including this here because most people do not consider it as a productive use of time.

Self-care if understood well, can work like magic in life. Try your best to devote at least 15 minutes daily to reflect on your day and how you felt throughout.

Pay attention to your skin. Eat well. Do face masks, exercise. Get to know how your body reacts to different food items and workout routines. Light up candles, read that favorite book. Make a morning and night routine and follow it.

“Self-care is a fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.”

A gap year or month can be the best time to look after yourself and to prioritize your well being before anything else.

4. Exploring Opens Up Your Mind

Go out and experience the nature. Being in school, the change of seasons was always demarcated by the change in uniforms. Blue skirt is for summer and the starting of gray skirt marks the onset of winters. Last year, I could go out and experience the difference in the wind and in the shades of sky. I noticed how certain animals stopped appearing in winters and how frogs start to pop out during monsoon.

“You will never know until you go”

Roam around your city. Explore places you have never been before. I couldn’t understand the peaceful environment that the Lotus temple has until I revisited the place with a presence of mind and it was the most tranquil experience of the year. I found small and amazing bookstores and libraries in random streets that only a few people know about.

Exploring opens up an all new horizon of comfort zones and experiences. Try new food, new places or new hobbies or everything. It changes you from within plus, it’s fun!

5. Best Time To Rekindle Old Relations Or Make New

“Everyone loves hearing back from an old friend”

This time can be best for messaging that old classmate from 9th grade or probably your favorite primary school teacher. I learned that everyone loves hearing back from an old friend. Take time out, call and meet them.

Make new online friends. I met my online friend for the first time who was visiting Delhi for a few days and it was wonderful. Go see your school friends and learn from them what college is like!

In the end, I did nothing to show it off on my resume but I certainly had most valuable and chill time of my life so far and learned a few things that will contribute to shape me into the person that I aspire to become.