How can you enjoy your free time without guilt—and still feel productive?
Someone recently asked me, “How do you stop beating yourself up for using your free time for something other than work, but still retain the feeling of satisfaction from being productive?”
We've all been there to some extent—feeling like we should always be doing something “useful,” and then feeling restless or guilty when we take a break to binge a show or relax by the pool in the middle of the day.
So let’s start here:
What does “free time” actually mean?
For many of us, it refers to whatever hours left after having finished work or ticked off our daily list of responsibilities—time when you’re not making money or actively contributing to your home or family life. But just because you’re not producing something in a traditional sense doesn't mean that that time isn’t valuable.
The question is how do you allow yourself to enjoy that time without guilt and still feel like you’re moving forward in some way?
Here’s what I’ve learned—and what’s worked for me.
Start by asking yourself:
What does free time mean to me? Everyone defines it differently.
What does being productive mean to me? Is it about getting things done? Learning something? Seeing visible progress?
Once you have clarity on those two things, you can start reframing both free time and productivity in a way that serves you, not some internalized hustle culture standard.
Reframe how you see your free time:
Let’s say you feel guilty for going to a tennis lesson instead of doing household chores or earning money. Ask yourself: How is this activity supporting me in the long run?
Maybe it clears your mind, lifts your mood or gives you more energy—which, in turn, helps you to show up in a much better state for your “non–free-time activities.”
Reframe how you define productivity:
We tend to see productivity only in terms of output—money, results, checked boxes. But productivity can also include restoration.
For example, in my free time I crochet. I’m not doing anything that contributes directly to my business—but it absolutely helps me to be a better coach and creator. Crocheting is my moving meditation. I focus on the rhythm, the pattern, the precision. It clears my mind, soothes me and gives me a sense of accomplishment. I may not be producing income—but I’m producing peace of mind (as well as the occasionally finished tote bag.)
That’s productive, too.
Choose free time activities that feel meaningful:
If you’re like me, and you crave a sense of progress to feel good about how you spend your time, choose a non-work activity that gives you that feeling—even if it’s subtle.
It doesn’t have to be useful to anyone but you. What matters is how it makes you feel.
Final Thought:
Your free time doesn’t need to be justified by productivity—but if it helps, reframe productivity itself. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is give yourself permission to pause.
So the next time you find yourself lying on the couch staring at the ceiling—don’t ask, “What should I be doing right now?” Instead, ask, “What is this giving me that I actually need?”
Maybe you’ll realize you’re being a little lazy—and that’s okay, and maybe you’ll decide to get up and do something else. Or, maybe, you’ll realize that this stillness is exactly what you need.
Because rest, joy, clarity, space—those aren’t luxuries. They’re fuel.
