Spring Break: Eliminating the Guilt of Not Being “Productive”

“Spring break with my kids was awesome… but I felt guilty for not being productive.”

That comment sparked a conversation this morning among a group of friends. We were trading spring break stories—everything from beach trips and board games to quiet mornings and slow coffee. What started as a fun recap turned into something deeper: a gut-level conversation about how we define productivity and the guilt that comes from not feeling productive.

Here’s the truth most of us don’t talk about—we’ve been handed the wrong definition.

We’ve bought into the idea that productivity means emails answered, meetings attended, goals crushed. And if we’re not actively checking something off a list, we feel like we’re falling behind. But that mindset is incomplete.

Someone in the group dropped a powerful thought:
“What if the real work includes taking care of ourselves and our families?”

What if being present, recharging, and resting isn’t stepping away from productivity… but leaning into it?

Let’s put it this way: When your iPhone is plugged into the charger, is it being productive? You could argue no—it’s not doing anything, right? But here’s the reality: it can’t be productive unless it recharges. Without that quiet time on the charger, it’s dead weight. Completely useless. So maybe rest and recharge time isn’t wasted time at all. Maybe it’s essential.

Real productivity takes a more holistic view. It’s not just what you do—it’s also how well you prepare yourself to show up, think clearly, and lead with energy.

To that end, feeling guilty for not being “productive” is often a sign that we’ve tied our worth too tightly to our output—but you are more than your to-do list. Rest, play, and presence aren’t distractions from the work… they are the work. The guilt comes from believing that slowing down means falling behind, but the truth is, you recharge in those moments. You refuel your creativity, your energy, and your clarity. And that time you spend laughing with your kids or sitting in stillness? It’s not lost time—it’s invested time.

With that in mind, here are three ways to redefine what being productive actually looks like:

Be Present.
Put the phone down. Engage. Laugh with your kids. Have real conversations. There’s nothing passive about presence—it takes effort, intention, and practice. And it pays off.

Protect your Recharge Time.
Burnout doesn’t make you better. Build margin. Guard your sleep. Go for that walk. Productivity isn’t about being constantly “on”—it’s about knowing when to unplug so you can show up strong when it matters most.

Redefine the Scoreboard.
Stop measuring your day by what you checked off and start measuring it by who you became. Were you patient? Grateful? Focused? Generous? Sometimes, the most “productive” thing you can do is become the kind of person others need you to be.

Call-to-Action

Challenge your own definition of “productive” and find ways to protect your productivity on all sides. Look for areas to recharge, and then unplug so you can plug in.