For feeling guilty for resting

[BeeKind1]

Hi all, I just need some kindness and reassurance. I’m feeling really low, possibly depressed at the moment. I’m in auto pilot getting through the day until bedtime. My anxiety is high with intrusive thoughts ruling my mind and it's draining. I gf a day off work today as had lieu hours to use. I had big plans of getting stuff done in the house but I've done nothing except do a workout as I know how good for my mental health that is. I've watched tv and snuggled with my dog all day but now my thoughts are that I've wasted the day, I’m lazy etc etc.

Well done on doing the workout!! And snuggling the dog!! Don't be so hard on yourself. I find I can only do things I'm motivated to do. So if the house needs a clean, I invite someone round in a week's time. Then I'm motivated to clean. Many people struggle with motivation. If we weren't paid, most of us wouldn't go to work. But can you get to the bottom of your guilt? Whose voice are you hearing in your head? That is worth analysing. Is it a parent? A teacher? An ex? Really try to figure that out. In respect of your possible mild depression, walking your dog daily will help. Rain or shine. As for anxiety, try cutting out all caffeine (and alcohol) for a bit. Good luck.

Sounds like a perfect day off to me!

I get this as I regularly feel the same…I think we are so conditioned to life being fast paced and full that when we need some downtime or respite from that it somehow feels wrong. My rational head knows it isn’t at all and it’s perfectly fine to just do nothing, but I hear you - it’s hard not to then be consumed by the guilt of a day wasted…

We’re conditioned to view everything in terms of productivity and it’s absolute bullshit. Our species’ brains haven’t caught up with the technology we have to use every day, we’re living in a time of unprecedented global crisis, and the standard of living in this country has absolutely tanked in recent years. Feeling overwhelmed is a completely normal and sane reaction to all this and it’s essential we take rest where we needed. You are a human being, not a robot!

It's terrible to feel guilty for resting!

Rest is doing something - it's so important and it's great you put yourself first and hopefully relaxed.

"Dolce far niente" is an Italian expression and part of Italian culture. There's no English equivalent but a close translation would be "the joy of doing nothing." This has nothing to do with laziness, it's about allowing ourselves to stop and smell the roses. In modern society, we all lead such busy lives that unless we make time to have a proper break, we simply wouldn't have one. Today, you've sat and spent quality time with your dog; and given your mind and body a well-deserved rest. Recharging is healthy. Those jobs you were going to do will still get done and you'll most likely now have more energy to do them with.

It's only in the last 40
Years that people have been expected to keep going all the time - and I suspect that's partly why so may struggle with mental health problems

Sundays used to be so boring - everything shut, all
You did was stay home and eat dinner

And every culture used to have downtime built into the yearly and weekly patterns of life

But it was so good for us- proper downtime -
So be proud that you have rediscovered the benefit of downtime

Achievement is the new Productivity.

Just think what you've achieved today:

You've done a workout
You've had a rest
Your dog feels loved

three great things you've achieved. Some people would be glad to achieve one thing today!

❤️ Thank you all for taking the time to reply and give me some much needed reassurance. As someone mentioned, my rational brain knows it's ok but we've all been conditioned to be on the go constantly

A day snuggling with a dog is never wasted!