To have done NOTHING all week?

[GaiusHelenMohiam]

I’ve had a random week off work, I had lots of holiday to use before March so just booked a week.

Other than ferrying the kids/dogs around and a night out with DH, I’ve basically watched telly and napped all week.

I do have things I could have done, the house needs a bloody good scrub and I’ve an assignment due end of Feb, but instead I’ve watched three seasons of Angel and twiddled around on MN and Twitter.

It’s Friday now and I’m back to work Sunday and I’m sort of feeling like I should have achieved some stuff this week. But I’m exhausted and a bit burned out. I’ve been working 60hr weeks and sometimes 7 days a week since before Xmas (although Jan has been slightly less hardcore) and I’ve just got nothing left.

I’ve also taken half term off, as has DH, and that week will be full on with trips and fun stuff.

AIBU?

YABU, I should have used my time productively

YANBU, put your feet up for the week and ignore the world.

(Lighthearted before anyone gives me a kicking).

I’m doing exactly the same as you! Annual leave to use up so having a week off relaxing and not doing much!
Enjoy the break and hopefully you will feel refreshed for when you get back to work.

You done the absolute right thing, giving yourself a reset! Good on you OP hope you ate lots of chocolate, crisps and general crap and while lying on the sofa chilling 😁 xxxx

Well, I couldn’t do that as I’d feel like I’d completely wasted time but I’m not you, and you feel rested and happy then fuck it, it’s been a good week.

YANDBU!

Sounds like you had a nice mix of enjoyable and relaxing things as well as usual chores, and it’s absolutely reasonable that you’d want to relax and take your foot off the gas to recoup after your hectic work schedule. Your time off is yours to enjoy!

I totally know what you mean though about getting worried about not being productive enough while on leave. I’ve felt exactly the same when I’ve been on leave over these past couple of years (haven’t done an awful lot, and then felt guilty for it…)

But try and quieten down that voice that tells you off for not being ‘productive’ by reasoning that you’ve had a nice break from work, which you completely deserve.

Incidentally, I still find it hard not to listen to the critical voice/thoughts that pop up when I’m not productive, so would appreciate if anyone has any tips on handling that!

Don't you dare feel guilty enjoy the fact you can sit and do nothing for most of the week you will feel the benefit of it when you go back to work 60 hrs a week is a long haul and you deserve the rest.

I would have done the exact same thing.

I’m fact I did do the exact same thing.

I hope you feel well rested and ready to get back to ‘normal’.

I had 2 weeks at Christmas and obviously was doing stuff but largely involved food and tv and lazing about. It was the best break and I have been more motivated and focused since then. I too was a bit burned out. You need time to rest and not achieve anything sometimes and the cleaning will still be there next week.

Sometimes this is exactly what you need! There is so much pressure and expectation to be constantly productive, but we're humans, not robots and even machines need charging from time to time!

If I could have a week off to myself I think I would do

Monday - nothing, watch tv and eat crap
Tuesday - big clean and sort
Wednesday - nothing but with less guilt than Monday!
Thursday - mooch around the shops, go for a coffee, so the food shop and other errands I’ve been putting off
Friday - nothing again!

Well holiday is for doing what you want with. No need to feel guilty if what you needed most was to do nothing!

I wouldn't use a holiday to do chores either. I'd have wanted to use it to get out more and do some fun things. But if you feel exhausted maybe what you needed was just to sleep and watch tv.

You're a human being not a human doing!
Taking time to rest your body and mind is just as valuable as doing tasks sometimes.

Aw thanks all.

DH has just come down from his office and made me a cuppa, I asked him if I’d taken the piss with my week off and he laughed and said don’t be silly.

Tbf I’ve cooked and done the cubs run which I never normally get to do so that’s taken pressure off him.

My feet are firmly up now until 3pm.

You've enjoyed your week off however you like. Haven't done completely nothing because you've still had to be a mum, a wife and a pet owner with all that comes with it but good for you enjoying some "you time" on your week off :D you'll be the envy of many x

What i would like to know is the level of snacking you have been doing? I hope you have raided the cupboards for the 3 c's ....crisps, chocolate and cake. If so then your week off has been very productive. 👍😉

I always say that doing nothing is doing something when DH moans and says that we have to go out on every single day of our leave. Sometimes, just slobbing around is so fantastic and helps to recharge the batteries.

I am taking a week off soon and I intend to do absolutely FA. I will enjoy every second of it

I’m exhausted and a bit burned out. I’ve been working 60hr weeks and sometimes 7 days a week since before Xmas (although Jan has been slightly less hardcore) and I’ve just got nothing left. If a friend told you they felt this way, presumably you'd encourage them to rest not clean behind the fridge?

You need a break.

Sometimes you need to just be! Cleaning will always there and life is busy. I'd absolutely do the same