Does anyone else forget how to relax even when the house is quiet?

[dongbibi]

I had a friend over for tea recently and we were laughing about how neither of us remembers how to properly relax anymore. She told me she finally got a child-free evening, sat on the sofa, and within five minutes was up wiping counters and checking the washing machine like she was on autopilot.
It made me realise I do the exact same thing. Even when I technically have free time, my brain keeps running through lists and worrying I’ve missed something. It’s like I’m waiting for an alarm to go off. Everyone else in my house seems totally fine just chilling, but I can’t seem to switch gears.
I’m curious if anyone else feels this way or if it’s just a phase. It would be nice to know I’m not the only one whose brain refuses to clock out.

Me too! I feel though that I can't relax until the check list is complete - bathrooms cleaned, washing put out, upstairs hoovered etc. The problem being sometimes that list goes on and then something adds to it and before you know it, it's time for pick up/starting dinner and you've not enjoyed the free time. Over active mind ??

Same here and feel it’s getting worse as I’m getting older 🤦🏻‍♀️
Racing through list of jobs , desp to get sat down with a cuppa or a gin then when I do I think , I’ll just do such and such from tomorrow’s list, it’ll give me more free time then but use that extra free time to do more jobs!
I’m my own worst enemy 😂

I know exactly what you mean. Even when the house is quiet, my mind keeps jumping to the next thing that needs doing. I sit down for a moment and suddenly remember something in the kitchen or a load of washing that needs moving. It feels like the habit of being on alert is hard to break, even when there is nothing urgent happening. It is comforting to hear that others feel the same way because it really does make you think it is just you sometimes.