Do you find that you’re so much more productive when working?

[Itsabeautifulday81]

I had a long career break after having children.

Returned to work 3 months ago. Single parent, two children under 12.

And the impact is striking on my life generally. I make every minute count during my working days. Wake up, online work out class, get children’s breakfast ready, have shower and get dressed, tidy up breakfast, put load of washing on to start later on in day, walk them to school bus stop, walk to work (only 10min walk), work! In my lunch break, do errands and eat lunch, walk home, start preparing dinner, hang laundry, children back on school bus and come in 5ish, they shower, we eat all together, tidy dinner, they do bit of homework, catch up on emails/admin, TV, bed.

Every minute full. I’m writing this on walk to work!

But - I love it. I was never bored when not working. My house was sparkling clean whereas now it’s less so (I have got a cleaner coming once a week).

Jobs aren’t postponed, things are just done.

Do others find that working actually makes them not productive in other areas?

I meant “more productive” instead of “not” productive

I suppose you have to be.
When I worked and DD was in primary, I was so busy that if I ever had a moment, I'd panic and wonder what I'd forgotten to do.

Yes- my work was like that too, one task would take me hours, 60 things I could tick through very quickly - it’s a mindset “no time to procrastinate”

You know what they say, you need a job done, ask a busy woman

Yes absolutely. I find motivation wise that the more I do, the more I'm motivated to do.

Work expands to fill the time available.
Less time? We can get through the tasks more quickly.
It doesn't always work - sometimes I am just frozen at the thought of everything that needs doing.

It’s true, but at the expense of one’s health and sanity!
I used to work 100 hour weeks as a junior doctor, then spent 20 years as a widowed single parent of two DC working 9 to 5 in anaesthesia and critical care. I was incredibly bloody efficient- but permanently exhausted.
Now I’m retired and the DC have flown the nest. I am more laid back than I have ever been.
I enjoy rolling out of bed an hour later, I put off chores til I can be bothered, I admire the flowers before piling into the weeding. And it takes me five days to slowly construct my shopping list. Life has a much more leisurely pace and I love the lack of pressure.
I can still summon my wits for a gruelling all weekend online bridge tournament, but it’s wonderful to have days in the sun with my newspaper.

Maybe you’re just super energised but the change you’ve made. I’ve definitely had phases like this but before this mat leave I felt like I was stagnating professionally and felt more frozen/apathetic

What’s your full time role out of curiosity, OP? You don’t have to be specific.

No, I still procrastinate A LOT (hence being on MN in working hours)

I do give a lot less of a shit what people think of me though