Ask HN: Anyone else feels anxious not using their free time to its full extent?

I've struggled with it and still do, though I deal with it better now than even a couple of years ago.

There are no doubt many ways to address this feeling, but it helps to understand what is the underlying fear driving it, and addressing that. Even without knowing what is the root fear, though, maybe it'll help to remind yourself of a few things:

- You're entitled to recreation/recuperation/relaxation.

- You don't need permission to take a break, socialise, etc.

- You don't need to cram "productivity" into every nook and cranny of your life.

- The world will probably get by without your contributions.

- Sometimes something significant comes out of seemingly insignificant or mundane.

It's worth paying attention to that last one. The fact is, we often don't truly know the value of the time we spend until we have the luxury of hindsight. You might blow-off being "productive" one evening to go socialise and end up having a conversation that completely changes your life–or perspective—in some positive meaningful way.

Or, to provide a more common and grounded example: you get stuck on some problem and feel like you want to keep hammering away at it, but for whatever reason end up stepping away a while. When you reluctantly return to it, you figure out a solution in no time at all (at least compared to your earlier efforts).

Give yourself a break. Don't be too hard on yourself. It's okay to be ambitious or to want to keep growing—that's healthy. But life needs balance. Try to temper any self-talk that makes you feel bad about yourself or how choose to spend your time.

EDIT: formatting.

That's a very easy way to burn out.

What do you consider a good use of your free time?

Don't forget that we humans need things like relaxing and even occasionally just doing nothing to be healthy.

I have a suspicion that some of the things you're considering a bad use of your free time are actually very good uses of your free time.

I've learned that "down time" actually isn't. It's when I disengage from a problem, and start doing something unrelated, be it outside, or a hobby, etc., that my subconscious has a good chance to mull things over and try to fit the pieces together, and generate new insights.

Deep intellectual work takes a completely different form of engagement then just putting in the hours.

Stop, smell the Roses, take a break, relax. Work is what you do to enable the rest of our life to happen, not the reason you're here.

Sometimes, but maybe not in a traditionally productive way most might think here. Living in Denver, it feels like there is an implicit message that you should be getting out into the mountains as often as possible. Climbing, running, skiing, camping, summiting mountains, whatever it is. It should be rad and in the mountains. But sometimes I feel lazy and just want to bum around on the couch, but can't shake the feeling that I should be out there getting after it.

Yes all the time. I see people coming up with world changing inventions, becoming huge names in various fields and seemingly coding projects every week and feel like I'm not doing enough by comparison.

But I suspect it probably stems from 'extraordinary' stories being easier to come by than normal ones. You see the former all over social media, especially here. The latter usually doesn't have much of a big deal made about it.

Yes, but if I push myself too hard, I might burn out. Seeing an endless list of tasks to be completed can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming.

Yes. I often feel concerned if I am not doing something productive. Being married with kids tempers that quite a bit.

Yes often. But its not too bad, can still play games and enjoy my time

yes. My weekends are mostly angst