This week was hectic. The last two weeks, I had the flu and spent most of my time in bed. I accepted it because my body needed rest. After recovering, I was ready to be super-productive. Monday was amazing—I prepared my to-do list, worked on my project, and finally wrapped up Java OOP. Success! I felt unstoppable.
But then, Tuesday and Wednesday hit me hard again. Headache, cough—why?! After last year’s burnout, I made my health a priority. I didn’t want to push myself too hard again, so I canceled my plans and rescheduled everything. It was tough, but necessary. A year ago, I would have felt extremely guilty. But now? I accept that rest is essential.
How to Not Feel Guilty During a Day Off
I hate procrastination and pride myself on being well-organized. Deadlines are usually my friends. However, I grew up in a toxic work culture where pushing through sickness was normal. I used to work non-stop—even when I felt awful. That led to three burnouts before my 30th birthday.
I started working at 14, and my workaholic tendencies nearly ruined my marriage. Thankfully, my husband helped me learn to slow down. Now, I want to share my best tips on how to truly enjoy a day off without guilt.
1. Know Your Limits
- Stick to your schedule when you’re healthy and able to work.
- Avoid last-minute panic by managing tasks efficiently.
- If you’re sick, adjust your plan—health comes first.
- Learn to separate essential tasks from less urgent ones.
- Feeling anxious? Do a small, low-effort task and move on.
2. Choose Real Relaxation
Not all rest is truly restful. Mindless scrolling on social media often leaves me feeling drained rather than recharged. Instead, I opt for:
- Reading books
- Watching movies or series
- Taking a nap
- Going for a walk
Intentional relaxation makes a huge difference.
3. Treat Yourself to Simple Luxuries
Luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive things. For me, it’s about small pleasures:
- A long bubble bath
- A scoop of my favorite ice cream
- Sleeping in without an alarm
- Enjoying time alone, guilt-free
True luxury is having the freedom to spend a day exactly as you want.
4. Set Boundaries and Disconnect
As a freelancer, I love the flexibility of my job, but it also means work can creep into my personal time. That’s why I:
- Turn off Slack and email notifications
- Step away from my computer
- Give myself permission to fully unplug
Conclusion
Taking a proper day off is crucial for both mental and physical health. Burnout isn’t worth it. Prioritizing yourself isn’t laziness—it’s self-care. So, next time you have a day off, embrace it fully, guilt-free!
Leave a Reply