National Nothing Day: A Day to Simply Be
Each year, nestled amidst the rush of resolutions and the afterglow of the holiday season, January 16 arrives with no pomp, no circumstance, and no agenda.
Why?
Because it’s National Nothing Day—an official "un-event" dreamed up in 1972 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin and observed since 1973 when it found its way into Chase’s Calendar of Events. Unlike the countless days dedicated to everything from doughnuts to dolphins, National Nothing Day is remarkable for its purposefully unremarkable nature.
As Coffin himself described it, the day exists “to provide Americans with one National Day when they can just sit without celebrating, observing, or honoring anything.” A Day Without Expectations In a world where every moment feels assigned to a task, an obligation, or a cause, the concept of a day dedicated to doing absolutely nothing feels almost revolutionary.
It isn’t a public holiday—there’s no Congressional decree—but it has found a loyal, if quiet, following.
National Nothing Day isn’t about boycotting celebrations or protesting the proliferation of holidays; it’s about pressing pause.
No parades, no sales promotions, no hashtags trending on social media (well, almost none).
The Foundation Behind the Void Coffin’s brainchild even has an official sponsor: the National Nothing Foundation, based in Capitola, California. Though it operates in relative obscurity, the foundation’s existence is a testament to the enduring charm of Coffin’s idea.
The day has also gained modern advocates like YouTuber Ephemeral Rift, whose philosophical musings and meditative content align well with the essence of doing nothing.
Why We Need National Nothing Day
Amid the noise of modern life, National Nothing Day offers a counterpoint: a chance to disconnect, reflect, or simply sit still without guilt. In our quest to fill every moment with productivity or entertainment, we often forget the value of simply existing.
So this January 16, consider honoring the most un-honorable of days. Don’t plan anything. Don’t post about it. Just let the day be what it is: nothing.
Enjoy the quiet—or not. That’s the beauty of it.
And, think of the options of such a glorious day, drink coffee and you don't even have to get dressed. The possibilities are endless!
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