A day to celebrate all about nothing, for January 16th is Nothing Day. But don’t go looking for it, you will find, well, almost nothing about nothing! It is, simply put, a day officially set aside to, well, do nothing. And I bring you many ways to explore it! Because sometimes, nothing can be quite something.

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This goes towards Thursday 13

So here is

All About Nothing

(All that I can bring to you, which is not everything about it, in no way, for nothing is immense in and of itself)

Nothing. It’s a concept so vast and paradoxical that it inspires philosophers, intrigues scientists, and puzzles everyday thinkers. Humans everywhere and across time have found “nothing” fascinating for ages now, and I am of course, one of them. So I have spent enough time thinking about nothing and also thinking nothing at all at other times.

In a world obsessed with “something,” it is important that we focus on nothing every once in a while. So let us get to it right away!

First, About Nothing Day

The day, an “un-event,” proposed by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin in 1972, is sponsored by his National Nothing Foundation. It was fun to learn that the foundation is registered in Capitola, California, a place I wouldn’t mind visiting for nothing at all!

Next, is Nothing Real?

It depends on how you define “real.” If “real” means something that exists in the physical world, then “nothing” is not real, because the absence of anything cannot itself be a “thing.” However, “nothing” is a concept we use to describe the absence of something, and in that sense, it is “real” as a useful idea.

The concept of “nothing” does exist though, in our minds and language. It helps us:

• Understand opposites (something vs. nothing).
• Explore scientific ideas, like the vacuum of space or the notion of a universe emerging from “nothing.” But when we think about it, even a vacuum isn’t truly “nothing”—it contains quantum fields and fluctuating particles. The idea of “absolute nothingness” (no space, time, energy, or matter) is more theoretical and philosophical.
• Think about philosophical, existential, and other abstract questions that we couldn’t otherwise! Like the philosopher Heidegger’s question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?”

My Favorite Thing to Do: Nothing But Books Here!!

Books for Young Readers (of All Ages!)

1. Nothing Happens in This Book by Judy Ann Sadler  with illustrations by Vigg (Picture Books | 4 – 7 years, and up)
2. Let’s Do Nothing! by Tony Fucile (Picture Books | 4 – 8 years, and up)
3. Nothing by Jon Agee (Picture Books for all ages)
4. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Fudge Series Book 1) by Judy Blume (Children’s Fiction | 8 years and up) 
5. Nothing: John Cage and 4’33” by Nicholas Day with illustrations by Chris Raschka (Picture Book)
6. Not Nothing by Gayle Forman (Middle-grade Fiction)
7. Nothing in Common by Kate Hoefler and illustrations by Corinna Luyken (Picture Books | 4 – 7 years, and up) 
8. The Good for Nothing Button! (Elephant & Piggie Like Reading!) by Mo Willems (Author)
9. Great or Nothing by Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Tess Sharpe, Jessica Spotswood (Teen and YA Fiction) 
10. Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary Novel by Avi (Teen and YA | 12 years and up)  
11. Seinfeld: The Day of Nothing by Micol Ostow and illustrations by Brittany Baugus (Picture Books | 4 – 8 years, and up) 
12. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson (Teen and YA Historical Fiction)
13. Nothing Rhymes with Orange by Adam Rex (Picture Books | 3 – 7 years, and up) 

Then the Rest

1. Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving by Celeste Headlee (Personal Management)
2. The Nothing That Is: A Natural History of Zero by Robert Kaplan. Numbers are fascinating, and I have found both zero and infinity fascinating, two ends (or are they?) of the numbers we know!
3. Nothing You Don’t Already Know by Alexander den Heijer (Self-help)
4. Rental Person Who Does Nothing: A Memoir by Shoji Morimoto, translated by Don Knotting
5. Nothing Much Happens: Cozy and Calming Stories to Soothe Your Mind and Help You Sleep by Kathryn Nicolai and art by Léa Le Pivert (Stress Management) 
6. How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell (Self-Help/Social Reference)
7. Nothing: A Very Short Introduction by Frank Close – A concise look at the concept of nothing in science, philosophy, and mathematics.
8. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (featuring the Manga edition today)
9. Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (Humorous Fiction). A quirky tale of children who catch fire when upset and the woman tasked with caring for them.
10. Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp (Thriller)  
11. The Book of Nothing: Vacuums, Voids, and the Latest Ideas about the Origins of the Universe by John D. Barrow (Cosmology)
12. Nothing Matters: A Book about Nothing by Ronald Green (Philosophy) 
13. Nothing Changes Until You Do: A Guide to Self-Compassion and Getting Out of Your Own Way by Mike Robbins (Personal Transformation)  

A (w)Hole Lot of Quotes

1. “Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou
2. “Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, ‘I’m possible!’” – Audrey Hepburn
3. “To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy.” – Hippocrates
4. “Why is there something rather than nothing?” – Martin Heidegger
5. “Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” – Lao Tzu
6. “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” – James Keller
7. “From nothing, nothing comes.” – William Shakespeare (King Lear)
8. “Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.”― Oscar Wilde
9. “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” – Peter Drucker (I sometimes feel like that about some posts I write! Kind of like this one, but… maybe not completely useless too)
10. “Nothingness is the sister of possibility.” – John Cage
11. “Doing nothing is hard, you never know when you’re done.” – Unknown
12. “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”― Socrates
13. “It is better to know nothing than to half-know many things.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Other Ways to Celebrate Nothing

• Host a Nothing Party!! Invite friends over, but set a fun rule—no decorations, no food, no plans. See how long everyone lasts!
• Debate questions like, “Can something come from nothing?” or “Is nothing truly possible?” with friends or family.
• Meditate and reflect on the concept of “nothingness.”
• Try imagining “nothing.” You might think of a blank space, darkness, or silence, but even these are “somethings.” True “nothingness” is almost impossible for the human mind to grasp because we think in terms of presence and absence.

Watch or Listen to Nothing

• Enjoy watching minimalistic things, like a cloudless sky, or vast openness (like the ocean, a desert, plains, and such).Here are some for you:

The sky again, from the same viewpoint, another day

A view from up above (not really nothing, but nearly so)

• Watch a show or a movie: for example,
  • Seinfeld (“a show about nothing”).
  • Nothing (2003 Film): A Canadian comedy-drama that explores the absurdity of existence and friendship.
• Listen to these songs/albums/bands:
  • John Cage’s 4 33 (the video is embedded below)
  • The song Que Sera Sera
  • Bruno Major’s Nothing
  • Billy Preston’s Nothing from Nothing (and read the story behind this song here)
  • War by Edwin Starr (Good for Absolutely Nothing) (it has been playing in my head from the time I started writing this post! Thanks to Eddie Murphy and Jackie Chan!)
  • Listen to songs from bands like Nothing, Nothing But Thieves: A popular alternative rock band.
  • Enjoy silence or ambient soundtracks that mimic “nothingness.”

Create Nothing

• Make art inspired by the concept of nothing—draw a blank canvas, create a simple sculpture, or take a monochromatic photo.
• Clean a drawer, desk, or closet to make room for emptiness.
• Challenge yourself to craft a story, poem, or essay about “nothing.” It’s a great exercise in creative thinking! (Like I have done here)
• Label a jar “Nothing” and place it somewhere prominent. Use it as a reminder to take breaks and enjoy quiet moments.

Embrace the Art of Doing Nothing, Absolutely Nothing!

Dedicate time to simply sit and exist. No scrolling, no tasks—just you and your thoughts.

Visit Nothing

• A Town:
  • Nothing, Arizona: A ghost town which at its height had a population of four!
• Something to Eat (Well, Not Nothing)
  • Nothing But Noodles: A chain of fast-casual restaurants featuring noodle-based dishes.
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes: A bakery chain that specializes in delicious bundt cakes.

More Fun Nothings

• Nothing Phone: A minimalist smartphone brand known for its unique transparent design and emphasis on simplicity.
• The Nothing: The dark and destructive force in The NeverEnding Story that represents despair and hopelessness.
• The word “zero” comes from the Arabic ṣifr, meaning “empty” or “nothing.”
• Nothing is a paradox, for even discussing or imagining “nothing” makes it something!
• Did You Know….. nothing ?:)

Gifts for Those Who Want Nothing

When your loved ones reply with “nothing” when you ask them what they want for a gift.:)

1. Nothing: Because that’s what you wanted by Absolutely Nothing (Nothing).
2. The gift of nothing
3. This Nothing mug
4. And this Nothing Bag
5. CRAZY STONE Gift of Nothing for The Person Who Has Everything
6. Plus a Deluxe Box of Nothing

Nothing Here

How Much Do You Know About Nothing?

Test your knowledge of the concept, culture, and quirky facts surrounding nothing!

1. What is the numerical representation of “nothing” in mathematics?

a) -1
b) 0
c) ∞
d) 1

2. The philosophical question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” is associated with which thinker?

a) Aristotle
b) Martin Heidegger
c) René Descartes
d) Immanuel Kant

3. Which Shakespearean play includes the phrase “Much Ado About Nothing”?

a) Hamlet
b) Much Ado About Nothing
c) A Midsummer Night’s Dream
d) The Tempest

4. True or False: Outer space is a perfect example of “nothing.”

5. In physics, the “vacuum state” is often referred to as “nothing.” What does it contain?

a) Absolutely nothing
b) Quantum fields and fluctuating particles
c) Dark matter only
d) Pure energy

6. Which of these books focuses on the concept of “nothing”?

a) Being and Nothingness by Jean-Paul Sartre
b) The Nothing That Is by Robert Kaplan
c) Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick
d) All of the above

7. What does the term “nihilism” refer to?

a) Belief in everything
b) Rejection of religious and moral principles
c) The study of “nothing” in science
d) A style of art focused on voids

8. In the TV series Seinfeld, how is the concept of “nothing” central to the show?

a) It’s about people who do nothing all day.
b) It’s described as “a show about nothing.”
c) Every episode begins with a blank screen.
d) The characters try to live off “nothing.”

9. What happens if you divide any number by “nothing” (zero) in mathematics?

a) The result is infinity.
b) The result is undefined.
c) The result is zero.
d) The universe collapses.

10. In which movie does the villain “The Nothing” play a central role?

a) The NeverEnding Story
b) The Matrix
c) 2001: A Space Odyssey
d) Interstellar

11. Which ancient culture is credited with the invention of “zero,” representing nothing in mathematics?

a) Roman
b) Greek
c) Indian
d) Babylonian

12. The phrase “nothing ventured, nothing gained” implies what?

a) If you risk nothing, you gain nothing.
b) If you do nothing, you lose nothing.
c) Taking risks is unnecessary.
d) Nothingness is the ultimate goal.

13. Which minimalist artist famously explored the concept of “nothing” in their work?

a) Andy Warhol
b) Yoko Ono
c) Jackson Pollock
d) Donald Judd

Answer Key

1. b) 0
2. b) Martin Heidegger
3. b) Much Ado About Nothing
4. False
5. b) Quantum fields and fluctuating particles
6. d) All of the above
7. b) Rejection of religious and moral principles
8. b) It’s described as “a show about nothing.”
9. b) The result is undefined
10. a) The NeverEnding Story
11. c) Indian
12. a) If you risk nothing, you gain nothing.
13. b) Yoko Ono

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, hope you enjoyed this post and discovering almost all about nothing! Definitely was a lot of something here, right! Thank you for reading and do let me know your thoughts on this or on nothing at all! As always, if you pick a book from here for your next read, do let me know which one, and do send me your “nothing” recommendations – books, quotes, and the rest!