The Anomalous Press

Authors: Anoma Katze, Cryptic Anomaly

A strange kind of guilt can appear when a person is not constantly doing something visible. It is the guilt that shows up when the body finally rests, when there are no assignments to complete, no work emails to answer and no obvious achievement to point toward at the end of the day. Many people have quietly absorbed the idea that their worth is connected to constant output. Consequently, the moment they stop producing something measurable, they begin to feel lazy, irresponsible or “behind” in life. Productivity slowly transforms from a healthy tool into a moral expectation.

One of the wisest things my therapist ever told me was that productivity is not limited to work or career. Society tends to define productivity through money, grades, promotions and visible accomplishments because these things are easier to quantify. However, human beings are not machines built only for economic output. Being social is productive. Self-care is productive. Taking care of your mental wellbeing is productive. Going to therapy is productive. Learning how to regulate your emotions is productive. Resting after burnout is productive. Even surviving difficult periods of life requires effort that many people do not see from the outside.

Unfortunately, modern culture often glorifies exhaustion in ways that are deeply unhealthy. Someone who is constantly busy is viewed as disciplined while someone who rests is often perceived as lazy, even when that rest is medically or psychologically necessary. This becomes especially harmful for people living with chronic stress, disability, trauma, depression, autism, ADHD or long-term mental health struggles because their energy expenditure already functions differently. A task that seems small to one person may consume enormous emotional, sensory or cognitive energy for another. Productivity cannot realistically be measured using one universal standard because human beings do not function under identical internal conditions.

Additionally, many forms of labour are invisible. A person may spend an entire day attempting to calm their nervous system, recovering from overstimulation, processing grief, attending appointments or preventing themselves from emotionally collapsing. From the outside, it may appear as though “nothing” was accomplished. Internally, however, that person may have spent the entire day fighting to remain psychologically stable. Society rarely recognises emotional labour, recovery or healing as meaningful forms of work despite the fact that these processes often require immense effort.

Research within psychology also shows that many people unconsciously connect self-worth to achievement and external validation. Over time, individuals begin believing that being valuable means constantly proving usefulness through performance or productivity. Once this belief develops, rest itself can begin to feel threatening because there is no visible evidence of “earning” value during those moments (American Psychological Association, 2023). This is why many people intellectually understand the importance of self-care while emotionally feeling guilty for participating in it.

The concept of “toxic productivity” has become increasingly discussed within psychology and mental health conversations over the past few years. Toxic productivity refers to a compulsive need to remain productive at all times, often at the expense of emotional wellbeing, physical health and meaningful rest. According to experts discussed by Harvard Health Publishing (2024), this mindset can contribute to emotional exhaustion, burnout and the loss of satisfaction associated with work itself. In other words, the obsession with productivity eventually begins damaging the very functioning people were trying to improve in the first place.

Chronic stress and burnout are not minor inconveniences. Long-term stress affects both the mind and body in serious ways. Research from the Mayo Clinic explains that prolonged activation of the stress response system can contribute to anxiety, depression, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, memory problems and cardiovascular complications (Mayo Clinic, 2024). Furthermore, burnout has been associated with emotional exhaustion, reduced concentration, lower quality of life and declining mental health (Khammissa et al., 2022). Ironically, many people continue forcing themselves beyond healthy limits because they fear appearing “unproductive.”

Self-care is also constantly misunderstood. Social media has reduced self-care into an aesthetic image involving candles, skincare routines and soft lighting. Genuine self-care is often much less glamorous. Sometimes self-care involves setting boundaries. Sometimes it means taking medication consistently, attending therapy appointments, allowing yourself to sleep properly or stepping away from environments that are damaging your mental state. Occasionally, self-care simply means allowing yourself to recover without feeling guilty for needing recovery in the first place.

Social connection is another form of productivity that people often underestimate. Human beings are biologically social creatures. Spending time with trusted people can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation and create psychological stability. Meaningful conversations, laughter, emotional intimacy and feeling emotionally safe with others all contribute positively toward wellbeing. Nevertheless, many people still feel guilty after socialising because they have internalised the belief that only visible achievement matters.

This mindset becomes even more dangerous when people begin viewing themselves as projects instead of human beings. Every moment becomes something to optimise, monetise or improve. Hobbies must become businesses. Relaxation must become “efficient.” Even rest is expected to justify itself through future productivity. Eventually, a person loses the ability to simply exist without mentally calculating whether they are doing enough. The nervous system was never designed to live under constant performance pressure.

In conclusion, productivity can be defined more broadly and more compassionately. Anything that contributes positively toward a person’s wellbeing, functioning, stability or quality of life can be productive. Some days productivity may involve major accomplishments. Other days it may involve eating properly, showering, responding to one message, attending therapy or simply surviving emotionally difficult hours. Human beings are cyclical, emotional and imperfect. Rest, healing, connection and wellbeing are not interruptions to life. They are part of life itself.

References

American Psychological Association. (2023). 2023 Work in America survey: Workplaces as engines of psychological health and well-being. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2023-workplace-health-well-being

Harvard Health Publishing. (2024). Beyond the grind: Toxic productivity and how it sabotages your well-being. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/beyond-the-grind-toxic-productivity-and-how-it-sabotages-your-well-being

Khammissa, R. A. G., Fourie, J., Motswaledi, M. H., Ballyram, R., Ballyram, S., & Lemmer, J. (2022). Burnout phenomenon: Neurophysiological factors, clinical features, and aspects of management. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9478693/

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Chronic stress puts your health at risk. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: Recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry, 15(2), 103–111. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4911781/