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😰 Borrowed Time Guilt 101

😰 Borrowed Time Guilt 101

How to stop feeling guilty about taking breaks and being “unproductive” — in 5 minutes.

Flocus
April 27, 2025

Hey there! Welcome back to The Flow by Flocus. If you’re new around here, welcome! 👋 You can catch up on our previous editions right here.

This week: We’re talking about borrowed time guilt — what it is, when it shows up, and how to move past it. Let’s dive in!

😬 What’s Borrowed Time Guilt?

The feeling that you’re “borrowing” time from another area of your life to do something.

You can’t focus on what you’re doing right now, because you’re fretting about having less time to spend on other things.

If you’ve ever experienced it, borrowed time guilt can make you feel inadequate and incapable. It shows up in thoughts like:

“I should be doing something else instead of what I’m doing right now.”

You’ve probably encountered it while:

Taking breaks during a busy workday
Choosing to rest but feeling like you “should” be productive
Doing one thing while mentally being somewhere else
Avoiding an activity due to dread, stress, or overwhelm

Read on to learn what your borrowed time guilt is really trying to tell you, and how to reframe it so you can let it go.

🤲 How to Handle It in 3 Steps

🫵 1. Label the feeling when it comes up and reframe it

Now that you know borrowed time guilt is a thing, you can recognize it when it crops up — and decode the secret messages behind it.

Here’s what your borrowed time guilt is actually trying to tell you:

I want to fill my life with a variety of fulfilling experiences and memories.
This other part of my life is incredibly important to me, and I want to ensure I’m devoting enough time to it.
I want to make sure I’m spending the limited time I have as well as I possibly can.

When you reframe your borrowed time guilt in this way, it’s easier to see how it’s a positive force for leveling up your life.

🪣 2. Dig a little deeper

The first step to releasing any emotion is finding the courage to face it. This should be a little easier once you’ve made it through the first step.

In your head or a journal, ask yourself:

What do I feel I should be doing instead?
Why would I rather be doing this activity?
Do I feel any pressure to do this other task, whether it’s internal or from someone else?

Other questions will likely come up, so keep exploring to untangle your guilt.

🪞 3. Gently return to the present

After exploring and reframing your guilt, you may find it a little easier to shift your attention back to what you’re doing right now.

Give yourself permission to be fully where you are. This might mean scheduling the activity you feel guilty about for another time, or taking a quick break to breathe and self-soothe. Listen to your mind and body, and do what works or feels best for you.

This will feel really hard the first few times — but as you keep practicing, you’ll notice patterns, which can give you shortcuts for resolving your guilt and settling back into the present moment.

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💆 One Last Tip: “No-Guilt Zones”

Rest is non-negotiable for productivity. Without it, you’ll burn out faster and harder.

And we’re not just talking about sleep — you also need active rest to fully replenish. This kind of “rest” includes things like walking, crafting, and socializing.

But we know “just let it go” isn’t always helpful advice for overcoming the guilt you feel while resting.

To make it a bit easier, try building in “no-guilt zones”. These are dedicated times for full rest, or full focus — not both!

When starting out, pay attention to the rhythm of your workdays. When do you feel most energized? Most drained? Knowing what works for you will help you carve out space in your days for focusing and recharging at the right times.

🪅 Flocus Picks

A curated list of things worth sharing.

nintendo lofi (Playlist) — Get the nostalgic vibes flowing with this delightfully pixelated playlist
3 Tips to Stop Feeling Guilty About Taking Breaks (Video) — This 10-minute video from Headspace explores some more ways to release your borrowed time guilt
The Best Way to Find Balance in Life (Article) — This detailed article from Psychology Today offers some solid advice for rebalancing your life and prioritizing what’s important

✨ Flocus: Your Personal Productivity Dashboard

Flocus makes it easier to let go of borrowed time guilt and be fully where you are. Whether you’re getting into focus mode or just taking a mindful break, Flocus helps you move with intention and not guilt.

Want to be your most productive? Become a Flocus Plus member to unlock everything you need to get more done! We have a limited time promo for our lifetime deal — buy once, use forever!