Just Do Nothing: A Paradoxical Guide to Getting Out of Your Way

by Joanna Hardis

Is there a space between where you are and where you want to be? Do you resist overwhelming situations, wanting to avoid discomfort (while telling yourself you just need more motivation)? Do you feel intoxicated with inspiration one minute, only to find yourself binge-watching "Real Housewives" not long thereafter, having slayed nothing other than the snack cabinet?

You want to do things differently, but something keeps getting in your way. Maybe you spend too much time in your head. Maybe you panic when things start to feel “too much.”

The solution? JUST DO NOTHING.

Through this humorous, insightful guide, you will discover data-driven, science-backed tools

★ Empower you to understand and take control of your emotions

★ Break through the barriers holding you back

★ Show you how to create your own sliding scale of distress so you can increase your ability to tolerate discomfort

★ Help you learn to let feelings be instead of letting them go

As counterintuitive as it may sound, when you learn how to just do nothing with the chaotic thoughts and feelings swimming in your head, your life will change for the better. And, before you know it, you’ll be comfortably engaging in experiences that once had you running for that snack cabinet.



EDITORIAL REVIEWS

“A game plan to stop being your own worst enemy. In encouraging but forceful prose, Hardis invites the reader to analyze their own reactions and behaviors... A clear-eyed call to reshape emotional responses to stress and disappointment. “

—Kirkus Reviews

“Practical. Friendly. Funny. As usual, Joanna knocks it out of the park with sound advice that you can actually use!”

—Drew Linsalata, author of The Anxious Truth and Seven Percent Slower

“Life has its ways of stressing us all out. In Just Do Nothing, Joanna Hardis helps us change our agenda from one of fruitlessly fighting the discomfort to one of leaning into it and relating to it better. Her amazing book takes scientifically proven cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies and blends them with her own wit, humor, illustrative case examples, and useful experiential exercises (and even a few f-bombs). You will definitely enjoy her entertaining and creative writing—but more importantly, you will benefit from Joanna’s knowledge and expertise.”

—Jon Abramowitz, PhD, Professor of Psychology at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

"Hardis argues that although many of us know what to do when life gets hard, how to actually do it confounds people—and that 'toxic positivity' and inspirational quotes don’t cut it. Just Do Nothing makes the case that healing and lasting change come from learning to tolerate the discomfort of feelings and differentiating between 'I can’t' and 'I can’t yet.'"

—Editor’s Pick, Booklife Reviews

"Sweet and to the point, Just Do Nothing author Joanna Hardis combines personal anecdotes with her skills as a professional therapist to help readers lay new neurological pathways to allow for lasting change….Just Do Nothing is a book that can help anyone in any stage of life. The chapters are short but packed with valuable information that will make readers think about the choices they make and help them analyze their own behavior, habits, and feelings.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2023

Reviews

[Michelle Kimber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a clever, relatable, easy to read self help book. It was filled with uniquely easy to apply tips and was well thought out. In many ways it was like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. I enjoyed reading this and took away some helpful tidbits.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Do Nothing by Joanna Hardis is a refreshingly counterintuitive guide to overcoming the internal obstacles that hold us back. With humor, science-backed strategies, and personal anecdotes, Hardis shows readers how to stop fighting their emotions and start using discomfort as a tool for growth.

Through practical exercises and insights from cognitive-behavioral therapy, readers learn to understand their feelings, tolerate distress, and break free from self-sabotaging patterns. Hardis’s approachable style laced with wit and relatable examples makes Just Do Nothing both entertaining and transformational.

This book is perfect for anyone struggling with procrastination, overwhelm, or emotional avoidance, offering actionable guidance to cultivate resilience, focus, and genuine personal change.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Do Nothing is a sharp, compassionate, and unexpectedly liberating guide for anyone stuck in the exhausting cycle of overthinking and avoidance. Joanna Hardis dismantles the myth that motivation is the missing ingredient and instead shows how emotional intolerance quietly sabotages progress. With humor, clinical insight, and refreshing honesty, she reframes growth as the ability to stay present with discomfort rather than escape it. The sliding scale of distress is especially impactful, offering readers a practical and humane way to build resilience without pressure or false positivity. Insightful, relatable, and genuinely useful, this book meets readers exactly where they are and shows them how to move forward without fighting themselves.

[Favour Creative · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Just Do Nothing" is a refreshing, honest, and witty guide that flips the usual self help approach on its head. Joanna Hardis blends humor with practical wisdom, making even tough lessons feel relatable and doable. It’s the kind of book that leaves you lighter, clearer, and more hopeful.

[Heather Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a therapist, I was looking for an easy-to-understand book to share with my clients, and this is perfect for that. It’s calming and a great reminder that slowing down can be deeply healing. Even If you know a lot of the strategies, it will be a good reminder/refresh.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew most of this. It was just a good reminder.

[Kay]

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