The Guilt of Doing Nothing

By Kenzie Eyles

For many high school students, doing nothing doesn’t actually feel like doing nothing. It feels like procrastinating, falling behind, or wasting time. Even when a free afternoon finally arrives, it can be hard to enjoy it without thinking about everything that should be getting done.

School creates a constant cycle of work. There’s always another assignment due, another test to revise for, or another task you could start early. Because of this, rest can start to feel undeserved. Sitting on your phone, watching a show, or lying in bed often comes with an uncomfortable voice in the back of your head reminding you that you could be studying instead.

Social media and productivity culture make this worse. Students are constantly surrounded by messages about “working harder,” “using time wisely,” and “staying ahead.” Seeing peers post about achievements or late-night study sessions can make relaxing feel lazy, even when you’re exhausted. The pressure isn’t always from teachers or parents, it often comes from ourselves.

The problem is, constantly working without breaks doesn’t lead to better results. Being tired, overwhelmed, or burnt out makes it harder to focus and enjoy school at all. Rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything, it’s something you need in order to keep going. Doing nothing for a while can help reset your mood, energy, and motivation.

High school is demanding, and students are balancing more than just homework. Friendships, extracurriculars, family responsibilities, and personal stress all take energy. Feeling guilty for resting ignores the fact that rest is part of being productive, not the opposite of it.

Finding a balance between work and rest is key. You don’t have to be “on” all the time to succeed–taking breaks, enjoying hobbies, or simply doing nothing can help you approach your responsibilities with more focus, energy, and perspective.

Sometimes, doing nothing isn’t wasting time. It’s giving yourself space to breathe, and that balance is something every student needs.