My Nothing Month: An Experiment in Slowing Down

September 1, 2025

Hello and welcome to this special Labor Day edition of The Financial Diet's newsletter! Read on for an in-depth look at writer and therapist Skylar Hunyadi’s August challenge to slow down and participate in a “nothing month.” We’ll see you back here for our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow!

❤️ TFD

By Skylar Hunyadi

2025 has been the year of rebalancing my chronically overfilled calendar. Back in February, I introduced the concept of an energy budget, a tool that has helped me be more intentional with my time. I’ve successfully stuck to this budget, seeing the payoff in more mental peace and a less-crowded calendar. 

I decided to experiment with the idea of a “Nothing Month,” or rather, a month of no-to-low plans. This doesn’t mean I was literally doing nothing. But I would be taking a brief hiatus from extra commitments, with the flexibility to attend a few novelty events — a personal sabbatical, of sorts. 

The main goal of my Nothing Month was to create more space: four uninterrupted weeks to reconnect with my partner, my home, (my cats), and myself. 

The idea came to mind after a conversation with my partner about spending more time at home. Not only was I craving it, but he also expressed missing my presence (the short version of the story: my partner has been injured and on workers' comp for about a year and a half, so he gets pretty bored at home). Secondly, I felt overwhelmed with calendar management. Could I technically “do” all the things? Yes, but not without some crazy time blocking.

So, I resolved that this August was going to be different — unrushed, leisurely, and less chaotic. Instead of juggling multiple projects, social events, and goals, I wanted to hone in on a select few hobbies, downtime, and one or two personal goals. 

Planning & Communication 

With a calendar as full as mine, it took some preparation before making this shift. First, I sat down with my August calendar and deleted some recurring events. This included my volunteer work at the local library and historical museum, my monthly book club (I wasn’t interested in the book and instead swapped it for a more fun, bookish-related event), and weekly yoga classes. I also resolved not to schedule any small coffee dates, bigger social events, or weekend travel. 

Initially, my naked calendar provoked some anxiety, but soon after came a sense of relief at the space I had suddenly given myself.

Once I had cleaned up my August calendar, I communicated my plan to those who would be affected by my change in pace, including my partner, my main friend group, those with whom I had pending plans, and volunteer contacts. In my communication, I was succinct and not overly apologetic for the choice I made. Here’s an example of a message I sent to my volunteer group chat: “I haven't shared quite yet, but in August I plan to have a ‘nothing month,’ meaning aside from work and a select few events, I'm taking just a brief break from volunteer work and extracurriculars — just to enjoy some summer evenings riding my bike and such.” As a whole, everyone responded with support and understanding. 

Shifting My Focus

Like I said, this month wasn’t technically filled with nothing, but instead focused on goals and activities I don’t usually make time for. Here’s what I’ve been up to:

• Movement: I’m training for a 5K in September and have generally gotten back into fitness. In August, I engaged in some form of exercise on most days, and I’m really proud of this. It’s been a period of reconnecting with my body and seeing progression from the beginning to the end of the month.

• Quality Time. My partner and I truly got our rent’s worth this month. We spent many peaceful evenings on our porch, lounging on the couch, and just enjoying co-existence. Amidst the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to take for granted the simple pleasure of one another’s company.

• Catching Up On Media: I often have to be strategic about my media consumption, watching YouTube with meals or squeezing in podcasts while I clean. This month, I’ve been enjoying the new Tales of the Shire game on the Switch, and listening to Renee Rapp’s latest album and the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack (IYKYK). Also, I’ve prioritized sitting down every weekday evening to watch jeopardy, a nerdy pleasure of mine.

• Trying New Recipes: I love to cook, but I rarely have the time to dive into new recipes and experiment. Every Sunday, I make a bigger meal to last a few nights into the week; It’s usually something tried and true. However, with fewer evening plans, I’ve had the time to experiment with my weekly CSA vegetables. A few of my favorite dishes have been this pesto zucchini orzo and basic pesto pasta.   

• Novelty Events: Like any good plan, there’s room for flexibility. I knew going into August that there would be a handful of events I didn’t want to miss, including a coworker’s baby shower, a Shakespeare in the Park show, a book club bar crawl, and my partner’s and my twelfth anniversary celebration. Because my social battery wasn’t at capacity, I was able to be more present and truly enjoy these special events. 

Would I Do It Again? 

The biggest takeaway from this experiment is that I do have the ability and willpower to manage my time more intentionally, and that it does have a noticeable impact on my mood, energy levels, and sense of control. I’ll admit, I did have a few twinges of FOMO, but they were short-lasting and didn’t impact the overall experience of my Nothing Month. I’ve pretty much always been a “yes” girl: travel, writing opportunities, friend gatherings, community events. However, I’ve been saying 'yes' a bit too readily lately. It was time to step back, reassess, and start being more selective — making room for things that nourish me rather than drain me.

Does the idea of a Nothing Month sound appealing to you? Or, does it bring up some anxiety (if it does, maybe ask yourself why this is)? Either way, it might be worth exploring what rest, space, and intentional “no”s could make possible in your own life.

For more from Sky, join her on Substack! Subscribe here to receive her personal essays right to your inbox. This newsletter is a cozy corner of self care, reflections, and other small pleasures. All are welcome <3

Skylar is a licensed clinical mental health counselor who talks about self-care as the foundation of a prosperous life. She has a deep love for yoga, vegetarian cooking, and religiously organizing her Google calendar. Follow her on Instagram for more self-care and mental health content or on LinkedIn for the more ~professional~ stuff.

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