--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can't sit around doing nothing. If I'm…" description: "\"I can't sit around doing nothing. If I'm not working, I have a habit of becoming rather insular.\" — Catherine McCormack" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/catherine-mccormack-29920_becoming_i-can-t-sit-around-doing-nothing-if-i-m_2990384.png" --- # I can't sit around doing nothing. If I'm not working, I… ![“I can't sit around doing nothing. If I'm not working, I have a habit of becoming rather insular.” quote by Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/catherine-mccormack-29920_becoming_i-can-t-sit-around-doing-nothing-if-i-m_2990384.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/catherine-mccormack-29920_becoming_i-can-t-sit-around-doing-nothing-if-i-m_2990384.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/catherine-mccormack-29920_becoming_i-can-t-sit-around-doing-nothing-if-i-m_2990384.png) > “I can't sit around doing nothing. If I'm not working, I have a habit of becoming rather insular.” [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Feeling idle drives her to seek purposeful activity; otherwiseness leads to withdrawal. **In simple terms:** Idle time makes her restless and isolated. Key Takeaway Stay active to avoid isolation. Themes productivity self‑discipline social connection Mood restless reflective Type motivational practical When to use this quote - project deadlines - creative pursuits - volunteering - team collaboration Key Concepts psychology habit formation intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What activities keep you engaged when no deadlines exist? - How can you balance solitude with social needs? A Different Perspective If external pressure is absent, motivation may still wane. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Becoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/becoming/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habit Insular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit-insular-4492546/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Sit Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit-doing-942489/) [Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working/) [Working Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-habit-2693009/) ## Related quotes > [If I'm not working, I have a habit of becoming rather insular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/if-i-m-not-working-i-have-a-habit-of-becoming-rather-insular/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Dating co-stars is natural. When you're working with someone, it's habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-bilson/dating-co-stars-is-natural-when-you-re-working-with-someone-it-s-habit/) [Rachel Bilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-bilson/) > [If I have news and sit on it I'm not doing my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-helwani/if-i-have-news-and-sit-on-it-i-m-not-doing-my-job/) [Ariel Helwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-helwani/) > [Life is too short to sit around doing nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-grobbelaar/life-is-too-short-to-sit-around-doing-nothing/) [Bruce Grobbelaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-grobbelaar/) > [It takes a lot of time to be a genius, you have to sit around so much doing nothing, really doing nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/it-takes-a-lot-of-time-to-be-a-genius-you-have-to-sit-around-so-much/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“You can't sit next to me doing nothing while I'm trying desperately to save myself by doing something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-b/you-can-t-sit-next-to-me-doing-nothing-while-i-m-trying-desperately/) [David B](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-b/) > [I chant to save my heart. Every time I sit down, that's what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/i-chant-to-save-my-heart-every-time-i-sit-down-that-s-what-i-m-doing/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) > [When you're frightened don't sit still, keep on doing something. The act of doing will give your back your courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-ogot/when-you-re-frightened-don-t-sit-still-keep-on-doing-something-the/) [Grace Ogot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-ogot/) > [If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/if-every-u-s-citizen-ate-just-one-meal-a-week-any-meal-composed-of/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [You become courageous by doing courageous acts...Courage is a habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-daly/you-become-courageous-by-doing-courageous-acts-courage-is-a-habit/) [Mary Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-daly/) > [I'm a Conservative, but I talk for the ordinary working classes. I get on with the boys at the pub, but I can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinnie-jones/i-m-a-conservative-but-i-talk-for-the-ordinary-working-classes-i-get/) [Vinnie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinnie-jones/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) ## More by Catherine McCormack > [I'm so glad this is the last day of these thing, I get so tired of listening to my own voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/i-m-so-glad-this-is-the-last-day-of-these-thing-i-get-so-tired-of/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [I happen to have worked with male directors who don't understand women at all. Not at all. I'm flabbergasted by their ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/i-happen-to-have-worked-with-male-directors-who-don-t-understand/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Sunday evenings often feel like the weekend is over before it's even begun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/sunday-evenings-often-feel-like-the-weekend-is-over-before-it-s-even/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Left to my own devices I'd get up at midday every day of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/left-to-my-own-devices-i-d-get-up-at-midday-every-day-of-my-life/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Occasionally I go shopping for clothes, but I find the whole thing a real chore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/occasionally-i-go-shopping-for-clothes-but-i-find-the-whole-thing-a/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Rufus? He's a grand kisser, and he's dead sexy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/rufus-he-s-a-grand-kisser-and-he-s-dead-sexy/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Britain is producing some of the worst films in the world. Our film industry is desperate to be part of America, and we just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/britain-is-producing-some-of-the-worst-films-in-the-world-our-film/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [I lead a very boring life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/i-lead-a-very-boring-life/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [It's funny, I listen to friends who talk about back when they were 14, eight, 16, whatever, as if it was yesterday. Me, I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/it-s-funny-i-listen-to-friends-who-talk-about-back-when-they-were-14/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [What's it like to kiss Mel Gibson?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/what-s-it-like-to-kiss-mel-gibson/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [The events with Henry III happened, obviously the way it happened, liberties were taken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/the-events-with-henry-iii-happened-obviously-the-way-it-happened/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [I listen to Radio 4 and put the iPod on shuffle. I like the randomness of, say, the Stones, then something from Nina Simone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/i-listen-to-radio-4-and-put-the-ipod-on-shuffle-i-like-the-randomness/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [If I'm not working, I have a habit of becoming rather insular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/if-i-m-not-working-i-have-a-habit-of-becoming-rather-insular/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [Actors are accustomed to doing exactly what the director or writer requests us to do, and rarely get involved in that part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/actors-are-accustomed-to-doing-exactly-what-the-director-or-writer/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) > [In my entire career? I am so sick of being asked, What's it like to kiss Mel Gibson?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mccormack/in-my-entire-career-i-am-so-sick-of-being-asked-what-s-it-like-to/) [Catherine McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) [Explore all 18 Catherine McCormack quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mccormack/) ## More Becoming quotes > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [The path I choose through the maze makes me what I am. I am not only a thing, but also a way of being--one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-keyes/the-path-i-choose-through-the-maze-makes-me-what-i-am-i-am-not-only-a/) [Daniel Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-keyes/) > [Becoming famous is a really shocking thing, especially when you don't have aspirations to it. It got to the point where I would try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/becoming-famous-is-a-really-shocking-thing-especially-when-you-don-t/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius; and the feminine situation has up to the present rendered this becoming practically impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/one-is-not-born-a-genius-one-becomes-a-genius-and-the-feminine/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [I'm getting to a point where everything is becoming streamlined in my life. I'm learning how to stand onstage for two hours and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-m-getting-to-a-point-where-everything-is-becoming-streamlined-in-my/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [The term 'Pre-Raphaelite' is in danger of becoming one of the most misused tags in art history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-wood/the-term-pre-raphaelite-is-in-danger-of-becoming-one-of-the-most/) [Christopher Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-wood/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [The reason so many of us are obsessed with becoming stars is because we are not yet starring in our own lives. The cosmic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-reason-so-many-of-us-are-obsessed-with-becoming-stars-is-because/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [In a personal way, to do with family and the father-son relationship, in a kind of artistic way with regard to him being an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/in-a-personal-way-to-do-with-family-and-the-father-son-relationship/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for people who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion...What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/trying-to-be-perfect-may-be-inevitable-for-people-who-are-smart-and/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) [Browse all 4,715 Becoming quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/becoming/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I can't sit around doing nothing. 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