I’ve had major surgery.
And I’m now in recovery.
So I’m not DOING much.
And I’ve been feeling uneasy about that. Guilt creeping in.
Not doing "enough".
Not "productive" enough.
Not good enough.
Who am I if I’m not "doing" anything?
Hum.
It got me thinking about being productive.
What does it mean?
Why is it so important to me?
So I did some research… And I’m going to write a series of blogposts about that topic. Yes, a series. Because I believe there is a lot to uncover. For me. And maybe for you too...
The series will examine the hidden costs of productivity culture, the darker sides of productivity obsession, focusing on how it reinforces gender inequality, promotes burnout, and dismisses essential but unpaid forms of labour. It will also challenge the systems that perpetuate these harmful norms and offer new ways of thinking about rest, care, and worth.
First things first… Vocabulary. Here are a few synonyms for Productive:
Prolific, fruitful, fertile, profuse, rich, high yielding, lush, abundant, constructive, useful, fruitful, gainful, rewarding, worthwhile, win-win, profitable, moneymaking, effective, lucrative.
A whole lot of positive meaning, right? No shadow side?
Yep. And it’s so interesting…
Antonyms for productive are sterile, barren, useless, inefficient, unproductive, unconstructive, ineffective, dead, infertile.
Wow.
Can you see how many of these can also relate to women’s reproductive capacities?
Wow.
The Traditional Definition of Productivity
“Productive” is a word that has become deeply embedded in modern vocabulary, shaping how we view work, time, and self-worth. On the surface, being productive means accomplishing tasks or generating outcomes within a set time frame. It often signals efficiency and effectiveness—qualities celebrated in workplaces, schools, and personal lives. However, the word carries more weight than its simple definition suggests. When examined critically, "productivity" reveals underlying connections to capitalist ideals and patriarchal structures, showing how society enforces standards that can dehumanize individuals in pursuit of measurable results. This article explores the multifaceted meanings of productivity, including its empowering and problematic aspects.
In its simplest form, productivity refers to the ability to produce something of value within a specific time frame. The term finds its origins in economics, where it measures the output generated per unit of input, such as labour or capital. In a personal context, being productive often translates to achieving goals, completing tasks, or managing time efficiently. From workplaces to self-help culture, productivity has become synonymous with success and progress. People are encouraged to optimize their lives—whether through bullet journals, productivity apps, or habit-tracking tools—so they can "do more in less time."
The Productivity Trap – When Doing More Feels Like Being More
In today’s world, productivity is often seen as the ultimate measure of success. Whether it’s checking off tasks at work, maintaining a household, or working toward personal goals, we are constantly encouraged to do more in less time. But beneath the surface, productivity culture carries hidden costs—especially for women. Let’s explore how the obsession with productivity leads to burnout, guilt around rest, and reinforces harmful social expectations.
The Rise of Hustle Culture
Hustle culture—the glorification of working non-stop—has taken over social media and personal lives. The idea that success comes only to those who “grind” and make the most of every minute is pervasive. Phrases like “sleep is for the weak” or “work now, rest later” suggest that rest is a luxury rather than a necessity.
Capitalism and the Need to Stay Busy
The pressure to stay productive is closely tied to capitalism, which treats individuals as resources to be optimized. Under this system, people are rewarded for continuous output and punished—socially or financially—when they take time off. This narrative also frames productivity as a moral virtue: If you aren’t constantly achieving, you’re seen as wasting time.
The Impact on Women: The Double Shift
For women, productivity culture is even more exhausting because they are expected to juggle both paid work and unpaid care-giving. This phenomenon, often called the “double shift,” reflects the societal expectation that women should excel not only in their careers but also in managing homes and raising children. Even when women take time for self-care or rest, it is often framed as “recharging” to return to productivity rather than as something intrinsically valuable.
Burnout and the Guilt of Rest
The productivity trap leaves little room for genuine rest. Many people feel guilty when they aren't actively working or accomplishing something, leading to a constant state of anxiety and oh so often to a burnout state.
Recovery as Productivity: When Rest Becomes Another Task
In today’s productivity-obsessed world, even rest, healing, and self-care have been hijacked by the need to be “useful.” This phenomenon, known as “recovery as productivity,” occurs when activities meant to restore us—like therapy, exercise, or mindfulness—are treated as tasks to manage and optimize. Instead of offering genuine relief, rest becomes another item on the to-do list and is supposed to result in renewed energy to work harder.
How Productivity Culture Warps Healing and Self-Care
1. Optimization of Wellness
We now track our sleep, meditation streaks, and workouts, focusing on performance metrics. The goal is no longer simply to rest but to do rest right and make it efficient.
2. Healing on a Timeline
Whether it’s recovering from burnout or surgery, there’s pressure to “bounce back” quickly and ‘hit the ground running". Rest becomes just a pit stop on the way to being productive again, rather than an open-ended need.
3. Self-Care as a Performance
Social media often portrays self-care as something to display—whether it’s yoga poses or bubble baths—turning rest into a performance rather than a personal experience.
4. Guilt Around ‘Unproductive’ Rest
Activities like scrolling on your phone or daydreaming feel wasteful because we’re conditioned to think all rest must have a purpose. The result? Rest feels like another source of pressure.
How This Affects Women
Women are especially impacted by this mindset because they juggle paid work and unpaid care-giving. Self-care is framed not as a personal need, but as a duty to recharge and better serve others. The message is clear: rest is only valuable if it makes you more productive.
Breaking Free: Rest Without Strings
To escape the trap of “recovery as productivity,” we need to redefine rest:
- Rest as a Right, Not a Reward: Everyone deserves downtime, regardless of how much they’ve accomplished.
- Embrace Imperfection: Not every self-care practice needs to be optimized—sometimes rest means simply doing nothing.
- No Timelines for Healing: Recovery is non-linear. It’s okay if rest doesn’t yield instant results.
Rest and healing should not feel like obligations to manage. They are essential parts of being human. Reclaiming rest is an act of resistance—a rejection of the systems that demand constant output. By letting go of the need to optimize every moment, we create space for real well-being and sustainability.
Questioning the Trap
Breaking free from the productivity trap begins with questioning the idea that our worth lies in how much we produce, that our self-worth derives from constant activity and measurable achievements. Success and well-being cannot be measured solely by tasks completed. In the next article, we’ll explore how unpaid labour, particularly by women, plays a vital role in sustaining society but remains unrecognized within traditional productivity metrics.
I believe that is all for today.
I would be so happy to hear from you.
Thank you in advance for your comment.
See you soon, for my next online adventures!
Until then I send you love, light and gratitude.
Isaya
PS: Maybe you feel like you want to support me as I navigate the Cancer journey?
I am OK and grateful to receive any Reiki, Prayers, Light, Love, Hugs or any other healing modal sent with pure intentions and love.
As far as advice and "recipes" are concerned, please ask me before you download your knowledge, links or recommendations onto me. Overwhelm is always lurking…
On a very practical way, because I’m going to be focusing on my healing, I will have less money coming in…
One way to help and support me is to actually buy something from me!
You can find some of my Goddess Connected programs here:
https://isayabelle.com/the-magic-goddess-online-programs
or here: https://isayabelle.com/tech-goddess-academy-2
PPS: Please bear in mind that I am reclaiming my journey and that my solutions and my path are mine and mine only. They are not intended to be a guide or a list of advice, a handbook or manual or any kind, least of all medical. This is just me sharing my journey.
PPPS: Many of you have been asking for news and updates. This cancer path has been kicking my ass on so many levels, but the main one is the very vocal reminder that I have to be selfish and take care of myself first. I'm doing my best and will share as soon as possible!
[…] this conversation feels important, not just for me, but maybe for you too. (find the previous ones here and […]
Contente de savoir que tu te reposes…;-) ! Tu as raison ce thème est très genré et c’est un excellent post, j’attends la suite… mais sans précipitation, n’est-ce pas !
Merci pour ton commentaire… Oui tranquille… mais la réflexion est profonde!