Recovering from major surgery has forced me to slow down, and with that stillness has come an unexpected wave of guilt. I keep feeling like I’m not doing “enough,” not being “productive,” and somehow falling short.
It’s made me wonder: Who am I if I’m not constantly doing something? This reflection got me thinking more deeply about productivity—what it really means and why it holds so much weight in my life.
These thoughts led me to dive deeper into the topic, and I realized there’s so much to explore. That’s why I wrote a series of blog posts about it—because this conversation feels important, not just for me, but maybe for you too. (find the previous ones here and here)
The Problematic Side of the "Productive" Label
Labelling someone as “productive” can also carry unintended derogatory connotations. It implies that those who are not productive—or cannot be productive due to mental health struggles, physical limitations, or personal circumstances—are somehow failing. This framing marginalizes individuals whose lives don’t fit neatly into the productive mold and reinforces the stigma around rest, recovery, and care.
Moreover, the relentless pursuit of productivity can rob individuals of joy and authenticity. Creative processes, for example, often require unstructured time, play, experimentation, and failure. However, when art and creativity are measured only in terms of output, they lose their spontaneity and emotional depth. In the same way, personal relationships can become transactional if they are seen as another task to manage efficiently, rather than as meaningful connections.
Patriarchal societies have conditioned women to feel guilty for resting. The expectation to excel both at work and at home makes rest feel like a luxury rather than a necessity. This guilt is reinforced by a capitalist mindset that frames rest as wasted time—time that could be used to accomplish more.
Toxic Productivity: The Compulsion to Always Do More
Toxic productivity is the compulsive need to be productive at all times, even when it harms mental health, relationships, and well-being. At its core, it glorifies constant busyness, turning rest into something to feel guilty about. Hustle culture amplifies this mindset by promoting the idea that success requires non-stop effort, with slogans like “Grind now, rest later” or “You have the same 24 hours as Beyoncé.” These messages suggest that any downtime is wasted potential, creating unrealistic expectations. Social media influencers play a significant role in perpetuating this pressure by showcasing hyper-productive lifestyles. Through curated posts that emphasize morning routines, side hustles, and relentless goal-setting, they foster a sense of inadequacy in those who struggle to keep up. This constant push for more leaves little room for genuine rest, making burnout seem like an unavoidable badge of honour.
Productivity and Mental Health: Breaking the Cycle
The relentless pressure to be productive at all times takes a significant toll on mental health, often leading to burnout, anxiety, and depression. This constant demand for output can create a vicious cycle: as individuals grapple with mental health struggles, their ability to perform tasks diminishes, fostering feelings of guilt and inadequacy when they cannot meet societal expectations. This guilt exacerbates their mental health issues, making it even harder to regain productivity. To break this cycle, it’s crucial to embrace the concept of rest as productivity, recognizing that taking breaks, engaging in leisure activities, and allowing for mental health days are vital for sustainable well-being. By prioritizing self-care and understanding its importance in maintaining mental health, we can shift the narrative around productivity and create healthier, more balanced lives.
Reclaiming Productivity: Toward a New Definition
To move beyond the toxic aspects of productivity culture, we need to rethink what it means to be productive. Productivity doesn’t have to mean constant activity or measurable output. Instead, it can encompass activities that nourish the mind, body, and soul—like rest, play, reflection, and care. It can also mean recognizing the value of things that cannot be measured, such as personal growth, emotional well-being, or time spent with loved ones.
This shift requires challenging the capitalist and patriarchal narratives that tie worth to output. We can learn to embrace a more holistic view of productivity that values being present and attentive to our own needs, as well as the needs of others. Rest and downtime are not obstacles to productivity but essential components of a healthy, sustainable life.
The word “productive” holds both promise and peril. While it can motivate individuals to pursue goals and improve their lives, it can also become a tool for reinforcing harmful societal expectations. Recognizing the links between productivity, capitalism, and patriarchy allows us to critically examine how the concept shapes our lives and to reject the idea that our worth lies in what we produce. By embracing alternative definitions of productivity—ones that honour rest, care, and authenticity—we can create a more compassionate world that values people for who they are, not just what they do.
The Commodification of Productivity: When Self-Improvement Becomes a Market
The rise of the self-improvement industry has transformed personal productivity into a commodified good, with a plethora of tools, apps, planners, and coaching programs marketed as essential for achieving success. This industry profits by framing personal growth and work habits as purchasable solutions, perpetuating the notion that an individual’s productivity directly correlates with their worth.
As people invest time and money into these resources, they often find themselves overwhelmed by the endless to-do lists and high expectations that accompany them. Instead of fostering genuine growth and satisfaction, this commodification creates a paradox where the pursuit of productivity becomes another source of stress, ultimately leading to feelings of inadequacy and burnout. By recognizing this cycle, we can challenge the prevailing narrative that equates self-worth with productivity and seek more meaningful, less commercialized paths to personal fulfilment.
Rest as a radical act
In a world obsessed with doing more, rest has become a radical act. Rest disrupts the narrative that people are only valuable when they are productive. For many women in particular, taking time off feels like a betrayal of expectations to constantly work, care, and manage. But rest is not laziness—it is a form of resistance against systems that demand continuous output. Let’s explore how rejecting hustle culture and embracing rest can help us redefine productivity and reclaim well-being.
Redefining Productivity to Include Rest and Care
True productivity is not just about doing more; it’s about doing what matters. Rest, care, and connection are essential for well-being and long-term sustainability. When we redefine productivity to include these activities, we challenge the harmful idea that only measurable achievements have value.
Practical Steps to Reclaim Rest
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to unnecessary obligations and create time for yourself.
Unplug from Hustle Culture: Take intentional breaks from social media to avoid comparison and pressure.
Practice Rest Without Guilt: Remind yourself that rest is necessary and valuable—not something you need to earn.
Reclaiming rest is not just an individual act—it’s part of a larger movement to resist systems that prioritize productivity over well-being. By embracing rest and redefining productivity, we can build lives centred on care, connection, and sustainability.
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!