Do you feel guilty when you are not working?
By winterose
@winterose (39887)
Canada
February 27, 2011 11:53pm CST
I worked or went to school all of my life.
I became disabled and could no longer work outside of the house, but I made a new career for myself working as a freelance writer and author.
I work all the time, and tonight I was discussing with my friend oreo about it.
I have told her many times to take a break,
but seems the counsellor has trouble with her own advice here.
If I am not working I feel guilty, I feel like I am not productive, that I am wasting time.
when I was in university and first got a computer and the internet, I used the internet for pleasure as a reward when my university work was completed.
When I became disabled, it became a source of income that I badly needed.
Now I am doing well with my freelance work and I am not so financially distressed, I can afford to take time off,
but I am so used to working, I don't know what to do with myself when I am not.
My fiancee is the very same way with his work.
I do get to play scrabble in a league online but I do that in between working most of the time.
It is hard for me to just relax and watch tv, or just putz around on the internet with nothing pressing to do.
Do you feel guilty when you are not working?
If not what are the things you like to do outside of work?
7 people like this
19 responses
@mobhomeir (7558)
• Philippines
1 Mar 11
Hello rose. I would not feel guilty if I an not receiving money from my work regularly. I mean, in your case being a freelance writer you are not committed to any company which paying you regularly right? I mean, as a freelancer you would only commit your self of working a project once it would finally contracted to you. You're already committed on it for a certain period of time to finish it. (That's what I understood of being a freelance writer). In what way you would feel your guilt? Not unless perhaps you never work while you have still contract to work it besides you have a certain time when you finish it and submit it.
On my self, it doesn't matter whatever I would do to make me feel relax and enjoy while I feel like nothing to do as long as my guilt is free.
I hope I make my self understood.
Mobhomeir here..
Mobhomeir here..2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 Mar 11
I feel guilty if I am not working, that means I do not take time to myself I work all the time, much more than if I was working outside the home because then you work your hours and you go home, at home I have no hours to finish I just work, work, work, and very rarely take a break.
You are correct about contract work, you take a project you have a commitment to finish it. But you are your own boss so in order for your business to strive you have to work and business owners work many long hours to keep their business afloat.
2 people like this
@mobhomeir (7558)
• Philippines
2 Mar 11
I appreciate your work attitude my friend I like that. I did some article writing before until my computer got jammed. Now am back looking again for some online job as an additional income for me online..
Thanks..
Mobhomeir here..
1 person likes this
@squaredsoft (93)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I don't feel guilty when I'm not WORKING - I'm at work, but not working right now - but I don't feel guilty not being productive.
I am very adept and many of the things I do, so it tends to leave me with a large amount of time each day when I'm doing nothing because I've completed all my main tasks so quickly I would have to find something to do.
Occasionally, I'll be just sitting at home, doing nothing basically all day. I'll get up, maybe wash dishes or do laundry, and continue to do nothing. Next thing you know, the day is over and I feel like I haven't accomplished much of anything. I hate that feeling.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Feb 11
I am always working, non stop, it is very rare that I take time off, as a freelance writer I control the time I work and I work all the time. I do not take enough free time that is my problem.
@squaredsoft (93)
• United States
28 Feb 11
You have to find time for yourself. I know that if you don't work, you don't eat, but the risk for burnout, in my opinion, is much greater. I used to be nonstop all the time, but I've learned to pace myself much better. I have become more disciplined as I've aged to actually get back to work after my break is over.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
28 Feb 11
I often feel guilty if I don't work. My husband sometimes complains that I work all the time, and I guess it is true. When I get back from my offline job I switch on the computer and continue working online. Sometimes I also use the computer to work on my stories or poems, I hope to sell the things that I write. When I don't work on the computer I work on my paintings and my photomanipulations which I sell in my online gallery. Yes, I tend to do some kind of work most of the time 
I somehow feel that I have to do something productive instead of "wasting" the time. Even when I relax and play a few games I tend to choose educational games (geography games etc) so that I can learn something while I don't work.
I somehow feel that I have to do something productive instead of "wasting" the time. Even when I relax and play a few games I tend to choose educational games (geography games etc) so that I can learn something while I don't work.2 people like this
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
28 Feb 11
I don't feel guilty at all that I'm not working because I work at home - I have got lots of housework to do especially since my baby boy was born, housework never get done. And my son is a demanding baby, I need to keep an eye on him and take good care of him, I'm occupied everyday.
2 people like this
@goodhunter (334)
•
28 Feb 11
Hello, I have been a worker all my life. I love working not only for the financial side of it but also it is a great way of passing the time and not being idle. I cannot imagine myself spending the day not working. If ever the time comes that for some reason I have no capacity to work doe to illness or age, I would not feel guilty knowing that I have done my part when I was still in my prime.
2 people like this
@sy0712 (155)
• China
1 Mar 11
I want very loudly to tell you,I admire you.You should also be proud of yourself!You have no reason of its disabled and abandon him,on the contrary ,you find life new directions,and on the new roads ceaseless efforts,you are good,come on!
@BarBaraPrz (47314)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Feb 11
If you can't relax when you're "just" watching TV, how about knitting or doing some other needlework at the same time?
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Feb 11
no I don\t like knitting or anything like that, I watch tv and work writing at the same time, I just hate to have time when I am not writing that when I feel guilty. The interview went great but I haven't heard if it has been posted on the net yet.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47314)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
28 Feb 11
Oh! I meant to ask how the radio interview went...
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167025)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Mar 11
When I became disabled I did feel guilty. But I think that this happening did give my daughter the opportunity to do more and she really needed to. She does the cooking and house cleaning downstairs. My writing has really opened a door for me and given me the opportunity to make alittle extra spending money.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
28 Feb 11
You should not feel guilty for not working outside of the home. You should do what brings happiness and satisfaction to your life. I have worked inside and outside of the home. i wouldn;t feel guilty for either one as long as I felt good about what i was doing.2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Feb 11
I do not feel guilty for not working outside the home, I work hard, too hard I don\t relax and enjoy myself, when I am not working I feel guilty.
@dheckerz (473)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
I fell the same way. Once I log in from work i go straight to my station and do some work. I want my day to be productive as always. When I ran out of task given by the management I always look for things to keep me busy either to sit right beside my agent and do some call evaluation or listen to call recordings for quality purposes. I sometimes ended up doing my collegues work if they are slow, i feel guilty whenever i don't do anything at work.
2 people like this
@arakawaii (270)
• Philippines
28 Feb 11
I don't know if guilt is the right term but there are times when you feel like lying down and just do nothing regarding work right, but I make up to it that I don't waste too much of my time. I always set a particular hours in a day to give myself a break so that I have an outlet for stress...
2 people like this
@Jotomy (6322)
• India
28 Feb 11
Hi winterose, I too feel guilty sitting at home and not doing job and earning. But as a home maker i feel little satisfaction that i am helping my family members and doing household work, if i have time then i will be online work, but you know it is very difficult to get a handsome amount through online work. Now a days i started giving tuition to the children as well as Commerce students. Having multiple qualification and sitting home is painful but yet i will feel be happy at home doing other works. I have family obligations. Don't think you are disabled if you can do you still can do some work online, you know one of our member Hatley she is about 83 years old woman doing online work and earning a little amount. She is very active, i feel she is the a good inspiration for other ladies.
Have a good time. 
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Feb 11
I am disabled and I get a government assistance because of it. I had to create a job for myself at home to use what skills I still have and to help pay the bills.
@Jotomy (6322)
• India
28 Feb 11
Hi winterose, I too feel guilty sitting at home and not doing job and earning. But as a home maker i feel little satisfaction that i am helping my family members and doing household work, if i have time then i will be online work, but you know it is very difficult to get a handsome amount through online work. Now a days i started giving tuition to the children as well as Commerce students. Having multiple qualification and sitting home is painful but yet i will feel be happy at home doing other works. I have family obligations. Don't think you are disabled if you can do you still can do some work online, you know one of our member Hatley she is about 83 years old woman doing online work and earning a little amount. She is very active, i feel she is the a good inspiration for other ladies.
Have a good time.
2 people like this
@vasugi (143)
• India
28 Feb 11
Hi Winterose,
It's nice to keep yourself busy but at the same time you have to relax for sometime just to take some time out. I am used to work for more than 10 hrs a day and even if I work say like 8 hrs someday I don't feel as if my day is complete but when I know that I am over stretched or done enough I prefer to take a break, either go on for a small vacation or have a family get together or go out for a movie with friends... Working is very important but its very important that you take a break in between..
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
7 Mar 11
I am quite Happy for you my friend that you have found things to do that are earning you some extra income to where you are not having to worry about $$. Due to all of the issues I have with my Health sometimes I really wish I could stay at home more earning at least what I can for someone else a month and being able to have some Medical as well. I know I am the happiest when I know I am in charge of what I can earn for sure, and wanting to eventually make my online/offline Business my main source of income for sure.
The biggest problem can be learning to relax a little more and not having to push and pressure yourself so much as well. Personally maybe it is just time for you to find time to take a little mini vacation away from everything and relax and do other things you might also enjoy as well.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Mar 11
mini vacation is not practical at most I stay away from writing for a day or two, but even then I am posting what I have already written to a different site so I am still working on the computer. I didn't write yesterday it was my b-day
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
2 Mar 11
I don't feel guilty at all, because I live within my means, and make the most of the small amount of money that I get. If I did not live within my means, and expected people around me to take care of me, not doing as much on my own as I could, then I could feel extremely guilty.
@shaggin (72136)
• United States
1 Mar 11
That is awesome that you are able to work at home as a freelance writer. I am on the computer to much as well. I dont earn much but I feel like I need to at least do what I can to earn money. Thats why I am at mylot but it is just very addicting lol. I never really take time to just sit and read a book I'm always sitting at the computer.
1 person likes this
@chaijudin (506)
• Indonesia
28 Feb 11
Hi white i am sorry to here about your disable
I think we must feel guilty if we do nothing
Thanks Jesus that He guide you to be a writer
1 person likes this
