By that definition everything is nothing. Matter holds states in variable conditions. Bricks are in a state to allow houses to be built. Everything is nothing. It's all states on a timeline. :)
An electron is a thing. Start with that to build your definition. If you think 'thing' has strange and wondrous properties then get to that separately.
an electron is not a thing, it is something that happens under the right conditions. just like every_thing_ else.