Curiosity Collective #007

Why Do Busy Professionals Feel Guilty About Taking Time for Joy and Relaxation

John Brewer
March 16, 2023

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1 Thing I Am Curious About

Why Do Busy Professionals Feel Guilty About Taking Time for Joy and Relaxation?

2 Quotes That I Am Thinking About

"Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel." - Eleanor Brown
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." - Anne Lamott

Embracing Joy Without Guilt: A Journey of Self-Discovery

As a busy professional, I am no stranger to feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin. Juggling a demanding job, family responsibilities, and a never-ending to-do list can make it difficult to find moments of joy and relaxation. When I do take time for myself, I often experience guilt and anxiety about not being productive enough. It was only after realizing that my guilt stemmed from societal norms and cultural values that I was able to let go and truly enjoy moments of joy and relaxation.

Why do so many of us feel guilty when prioritizing our own joy and relaxation?

Our culture glorifies busyness and values productivity over rest. We are taught to constantly work towards something, and that taking time for ourselves is selfish or lazy.

Overwhelming guilt can arise when we take time for ourselves. We may worry about not being productive enough, letting others down, or failing to meet our own expectations. These negative emotions can prevent us from fully enjoying the moments of joy and relaxation we manage to find.

If you are reading this, it is likely you can relate to this struggle. We all want to find ways to prioritize joy and relaxation without feeling guilty.

What if we reframe joy and relaxation as essential for our well-being and productivity?

What if we acknowledge that self-care is not selfish but necessary for our overall health and happiness?

I recall a time when I was consumed by work and family obligations, leaving me with barely any time to catch my breath. Whenever I took a break, guilt and anxiety about my productivity haunted me. It wasn't until I reached a breaking point and acknowledged that guilt was preventing me from truly enjoying my life that I decided to make a change.

I began setting boundaries and prioritizing my time. I identified what was truly important to me and scheduled those activities into my day. I started practicing mindfulness and gratitude, focusing on the present moment and appreciating life's small joys. Most importantly, I surrounded myself with people who supported and encouraged me to prioritize joy and relaxation.

Actionable Tips:

Try out the "Two-Minute Rule"? It's a game-changer! Whenever you have a task that takes less than two minutes, just do it right away. It's an easy way to declutter your mind and make room for the things that really matter. Plus, it frees up more time for you to enjoy some relaxation without feeling swamped.
Have you heard about "micro-habits"? They're these tiny, manageable actions you can slip into your daily routine to make self-care a breeze. Like, you could take a minute each morning to breathe deeply or do a quick stretch while your coffee is brewing. It's all about making self-care doable and stress-free!
Make a "joy jar"! Just jot down your happy moments, achievements, or anything that brings you joy on small pieces of paper, and stash them in a jar. Whenever you need a little pick-me-up or a reminder to be grateful, grab a note from the jar and read it. It's a simple way to stay mindful and cherish life's little joys.
One thing that really helps me is creating a "personal needs inventory" and sharing it with my support network. I take some time to think about my emotional, physical, and mental needs, and put them all down in a list. Then I share this list with my friends, family, or coworkers and encourage them to do the same. It's amazing how being open about our needs can foster understanding, strengthen our connections, and create a supportive atmosphere for prioritizing joy and relaxation.

I still find myself battling the thoughts that “I should be doing more” or “I don’t have time to relax.” These are not easy thoughts to break up with but if you give yourself some grace and practice finding joy in your daily life it gets easier.

Work with John:

Coaching: I will work with you 1:1 to help you grow and transform by creating systems, identifying priorities, and executing your goals. If you're interested, please reply to this email with "coaching."
Writing: I will write for you about leadership, mental health, and employee well-being. If you are interested, please reply to this email with "writing."

Thank you!