Doing nothing--why do I find it so hard?

[MotherForkinShirtBalls]

I'm off today after a few gruelling days at work. I've done the school run and had planned to do nothing until pick up, but I feel like I should be doing something. Nothing exciting mind, but the hotpress needs to be tidied and clothes put away, I need to work out if ds has any clean socks, should probably get some groceries, etc. and I feel twitchy knowing that there are jobs that need to be done. Dh thinks I'm insane and should either go back to bed or plonk myself on the couch for the day. What's wrong with me that I can't??

So. You have a day off.
Yeah, get a brew, get some cake, get a box set on the go and do bugger all.
These days are rare indeed so take full advantage!
Do it!!

Habit?
Doing nothing is unfamiliar and you've forgotten what you do when you're not busy?
Your parent(s) set an example of being busy as "worthy" and doing nothing as in some way a moral failing?
Life with young children has been such relentless hamster wheel you've come to find comfort in taking any and every opportunity to get just one inch ahead of the game?

I've pondered all of these as I have often felt similar. I've got back into reading thanks to my kindle (I don't have to get to a book shop or library to access books I want to read and nobody knows what rubbish I'm reading). I've got back into video gaming. I get an hour or so of this in on weekend morning and it's deliciously pointless. Cup of tea and a magazine. Mumsnet or similar. Have a bath.

Make your job for the day is relaxing. Actually write it on your list of jobs for the day/week, then it must be done.

Ah shite, crosser, you've just reminded me I need to bake something for a coffee morning tomorrow!

I guess it is the hamster wheel of family life. My dad is a workaholic so that may be influencing me too. I'll have to get dh to lack me how to ignore the never-ending list of things to be done. He's zen master level

I know exactly what you mean. My DP is always telling me off for not just sitting and doing nothing or doing something for myself. I always tell him I feel guilty playing Xbox for a few hours if there's clothes too be put away or jobs I could be doing etc!! I've been off work for a little bit recently though and did make a point of coming back from school run & making a proper breakfast then watching the Ellen show and then having another hour of Netflix before I potterrd & then ended up doing jobs!!

I'm pretty much incapable TBH.
DH is a seasoned pro at the art of ignoring even extremely pressing things which would interfere with his leisure time. I'll admit that I found it annoying at first but have recently come to look at is as a great character attribute.
OTOH I am a dreadful fidgeter and have to always be doing something, so I guess it's no surprise I'm not able to just plonk myself in front of a box set

I left the house I put on a wash (my mingling clothes from the last few days, so self serving) and came out to a naice breakfast place. I can MN while someone else washes up after me.

Civic we recently got really telly back after years in the netflix and box set wildernesses and I'm sadly disappointed by daytime scheduling... I need to rediscover the Murder She Wrote timings

BAKE!! Wtf! Buy a cake.. in fact buy 2 and have one just for you with a nice brew on the sofa while watching a bastard box set.
Bake.. why would you, just why?

I actually enjoy baking, crosser, so it's a nice excuse to make something when I can bring it to a coffee morning so I end up eating all of it myself. Win win.

I missed out a crucial don't in that last sentence. I am illiterate today.

I know what you mean OP, you probably feel guilty for not doing something, anything for someone else. Just maybe not only for you? It's hard to shut down and when we can't we imagine how we would spend our time if we had it. I agree with @KingLooieCatz , you may have learned it from your parents or have spent the early years zooming around the DC that you may need to unlearn it all. Same for me.