People Without Free Time, What’s Behind This?

Some people don’t have free time because they choose not to. They consciously avoid downtime and almost never disconnect from their work or the world around them. Whether or not you identify with this personality type, it’s more common than you might think in this fast-paced world we live in.

Some people are afraid to stop doing something and feel uncomfortable when they have nothing to do. They don’t know how to behave and how to let the time pass in peace and harmony.

Some people would say it’s a matter of personality. That is true to some extent. Some people are just more active and like to keep their schedules full. They are constantly coming up with new ideas, creations and plans. However, this tendency can be a problem.

There are those who simply cannot tolerate inactivity, as it can lead to personal reflection. Reconnecting with your inner self is not always a pleasant or comfortable experience. Keeping a constantly full schedule is one way to avoid never having to spend time with yourself.

People without free time

These days, you constantly hear people say things like “I don’t have time for anything” or “I don’t have enough time to do everything I need to do.”  Days filled with tasks and responsibilities are becoming the norm. People even almost brag about being overextended, as if it were proof that they matter.

Being busy and stressed is just the way it is, the way it should be. We have come to view laziness with suspicion. We tend to judge someone who does nothing, slows down and gives themselves free time.

Be that as it may, those who take the time to rest and relax will have no problem. They are not irresponsible hippies. Instead, they are individuals who care about their quality of life. Those obsessed with their to-do lists and color-coded calendars do exhibit problematic behaviors.

When doing nothing leads to unrest

The expression ‘do nothing’ is a bit misleading. Sometimes it really refers to avoiding your duties and not doing what others expect of you. However, when you use the term to refer to downtime, “doing nothing” actually means doing something that is necessary, healthy, and even productive. Here are some examples of what we’re talking about.

• By reading, resting, having good conversations and enjoying the environment, ‘doing nothing’ becomes meaningful and transcendent. Nevertheless, these activities cause a feeling of restlessness in many people.
• People without free time who always have something to do do not know how to relax.
• Simply sitting down, without fulfilling other obligations, can cause fear or anxiety.
• Not only do they feel unproductive, but they also feel overwhelmed by the idea that they are doing something wrong or that they are failing someone.
• Downtime is also an invitation to reconnect with yourself, which is a habit you can benefit from if you do it every day. However, as we mentioned above, many people don’t feel comfortable making that soul search.

Sometimes the problems that hide in those quiet corners of our interior need attention. Ignoring them will not make them disappear. Burying yourself in mountains of work won’t do that either.

A fast world and fast thoughts

It’s easy to get caught up in a lifestyle where being busy is normal. This is problematic for many reasons. On the one hand, you normalize the inability to enjoy your free time. You also lay the foundation for unrest.

For example, when some people go on vacation, they try to keep themselves occupied. This makes them feel competent and even productive. As a result, they believe they are doing what they are supposed to do, according to the standards of an extremely demanding society.

Situations like this put your brain into high gear. You cannot relax because you are allergic to inner silence and do not know how to enjoy the present moment. After all, fear only considers what is to come and the pressures of tomorrow.

People without free time do not understand that rest is crucial for their health

Don’t be fooled by the people who don’t have free time. Just because they are working all the time doesn’t mean they are more productive. They are not smarter or happier because they spend more time on activities. However, an excessively planned life without free time leads to unhappiness and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Downtime is healthy. Taking a moment every day to do nothing can provide incredible benefits. Don’t wait until your next vacation to rest. Two or three days of silence can help you reset, reduce stress, and increase your creativity. Doing nothing has positive effects on your mental health.

It’s time to radically change the way you think. Constantly doing things can be counterproductive because you need quality time for yourself. If you’re always busy, you’ll never discover the fine art of ‘doing nothing’.