For those looking for ways to incorporate the lyrics of Bruno Mars’ “The Lazy Song,” January 16 is literally the day to do so. Since 1973, National Nothing Day has been commemorated. The whole point of the day is to unwind and disconnect from stressors that cause people to self-destruct.
Granted, National Nothing Day is extremely hard to celebrate when there are massive responsibilities one must tend too. For example, young children, elderly, and other individuals who need hands on tending, cannot be ignored. Not unless a trusted caretaker has been chosen to step up and tend to their needs that is. However, this is not something that can easily be found for a majority of caregivers.
No Structure Needed
Harold Coffin. a newspaper columnist, was the first to propose National Nothing Day. However, Coffin’s ultimate intensions for the day were with the idea it would eventually self-destruct. He felt there was “a glut of recently established, useless commemorative days,” according to Days of the Year.
In fact, at the same time of proposing lazy-like day, Coffin started and group called the Nothing Organization. Furthermore, the fact that people still “celebrate” doing nothing at all is proof his plan was a failure.
Additionally, Coffin was not the first to consider this type of “un-event” celebration. In fact, in 1956, the Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, James W. Morgan, wanted to dedicate seven days to celebrate Nothing Week. The Associated Press wrote the article about Morgan’s idea which appeared in a variety of newspapers. All of which thought Morgan’s idea was interesting.
Don’t Worry
While the argument has been made several times, “Without something, there can’t be nothing.” However, the reverse side can also be true. Sort of like without sadness, how would one truly know happiness.
Regardless of the way people think, National Nothing Day is the “un-event,” and un-official holiday, to help people unwind. Which can be especially beneficial if the holiday season was particularly stressful.
So on January 16, kick back, relax, binge watch those shows guilt-free, and let the worries melt away. What better way to take a mental health day.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Day of the Year: National Nothing Day
Wikipedia: National Nothing Day
Featured Image Courtesy of opacity‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Kurayba‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Ron Reiring‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
