The Psychology of your 20s

373. Why rest makes us feel so guilty

92 snips
Jan 11, 2026
Rest guilt is rampant in our busy lives, where taking a break feels like a moral failing. The shift from viewing rest as a necessity to something needing justification roots back to the industrial revolution. Social media amplifies this guilt by portraying busyness as a status symbol. It affects young adults the most, fostering competition and burnout. Discover how redefining rest can boost creativity and productivity, and learn practical tips to treat rest as an investment in well-being.
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ANECDOTE

Holiday Work Impulse

  • Jemma described interrupting a family holiday to work because she couldn't settle without being productive.
  • She felt an itch to do small tasks like update episode notes even when it harmed her time with family.
INSIGHT

Clocks Turned Time Into Currency

  • The industrial revolution changed time from natural rhythm to measurable economic resource.
  • Clocks in factories made rest an economic problem and attached moral cost to idleness.
INSIGHT

Busyness as Social Status

  • Social media and visibility turned busyness into a status signal that implies importance.
  • Seeing curated hustle constantly trains your brain to compare time use and feel inadequate when resting.
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