We have no time to stand and stare

THIS IS KNOWN AS LEISURE GUILT. A FEELING OF NEGATIVITY WHEN SPENDING TIME ON LEISURE, INSTEAD OF BEING PRODUCTIVE

- Sonali Gupta

One of the themes that often shows up in therapy sessions is adult clients telling me how they struggle to enjoy their leisure time. They speak about experiencing 'leisure guilt'. Leisure guilt is closely linked to productivity guilt where they cannot give themselves permission to relax or enjoy their free time, and end up worrying about doing something else that might be a better use of their time.

As a result, these individuals, even in their free time, may end up listening to a podcast or reading a book which is largely about their work. Recent debates about longer working hours have only added to the anxieties about enjoying downtime.

Many clients will say how they have no time for leisure. Narratives of productivity guilt, hustle culture, micro-influencing, multitasking seem to have come in the way of how we perceive leisure. We are also living at a time where workaholism is rewarded and appreciated not just at the workplace, but also amongst peers.