Look around you. The world seems to be screaming at you that every second counts, that every action must produce something, that every thought must bear fruit… And you, inevitably, believe it. You get up very early every day, check your email, plan your day, and look at the calendar as if it were a treasure map that will lead you directly to success.
Today, even leisure has succumbed to the logic of performance. As a result, we no longer rest, but rather recharge our batteries. And when we go on vacation, the goal is to “enjoy” ourselves, to show off, and to take photos to accumulate “likes” on social media. We want to squeeze every last drop out of everything, even rest, so it’s no wonder that in these performative times every gesture becomes a reaffirmation of productivity, and we forget the importance of what seems “useless.”
The “useless” as a space to exist
Walking aimlessly for the sheer pleasure of it, gazing at the sky searching for shapes in the clouds like when you were little, listening to music to lose yourself in it, lying on the sofa while your thoughts wander, staring out the window…
At first glance, it seems like none of it matters. It doesn’t produce anything, it doesn’t teach you anything, it’s not published online, and it doesn’t even get you closer to a goal. However, doing things that seem pointless has a profound psychological effect: it reminds you that you exist beyond what you do.
And I’m not referring to deliberate leisure, those planned moments of rest or disconnection that are really just meant to recharge you so you can keep producing. I’m referring to those empty moments that arise spontaneously and break the tyranny of constant productivity.
Utility is not the only measure of value. Aristotle spoke of leisure as a space for contemplation, a space to think about life and oneself. And the Taoists considered aimless contemplation to be the path to inner enlightenment. In what supposedly “serves no purpose,” a space opens up to look at ourselves directly, without filters or masks.
The seemingly useless has a quiet power because it reminds you that your existence isn’t measured solely by results, achievements, or efficiency. It allows you to resist the constant pressure to be productive and brings you back to the present. It teaches you that simply being alive is enough.
The beauty of the “useless”
In this day and age, every minute that doesn’t produce results feels like wasted time. We’ve reached the point where we feel guilty for sitting quietly and doing nothing. But there’s a quiet beauty in what seems useless or pointless to many; it’s like poetry that needs no explanation or justification.
For example, reading a novel simply to appreciate the masterful way in which the words have been woven together, without any intention of discussing it on social media, is an act of rebellion against a world that demands constant utility. It proves that utility is not the only way to value existence.
In this sense, recent studies reveal that thinking leisure and rest are a waste of time is associated with poorer mental health, less happiness, and more depression, anxiety, and stress. Conversely, when we accept that certain moments don’t have to serve any specific purpose, we create a refuge where the soul can breathe freely. It is there that the everyday becomes extraordinary.
There are days when watching the light filter through the leaves of a tree can fill you more than any achievement, and listening to the rain pattering on the window can give you more calm than any mindfulness course.
There is beauty even in what is “useless” or “pointless,” because it teaches you to perceive without judging, to admire without possessing, and to be present without expecting results. There is no goal, no utility, and yet, all of this transforms and revitalizes you from within.
So, when was the last time you prioritized your own well-being over results? Today, for a while, do something that serves no purpose. Without justifying yourself, without feeling guilty, and without expectations. Allow yourself to experience something that belongs only to you, even if the world says it’s pointless.
References:
Alves Costa, T. (2026) ¿Qué hacemos hoy que no sirva para nada? In: Ethic.
Tonietto, G. N. et. Al. (2021) Viewing leisure as wasteful undermines enjoyment. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology; 97: 104198.
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