The Dangerous Lie of "Catching Up" on Personal Time: A Myth That’s Ruining Your Life

"Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective."

— Doe Zantamata

The Dangerous Lie of "Catching Up" on Personal Time: A Myth That’s Ruining Your Life

Imagine this. You're knee-deep in work, ticking off task after task, convincing yourself you’ll make time for that much-needed personal break later. You tell yourself, “Just one more email, one more project, and then I’ll take a breather. I’ll catch up on rest later.” Sound familiar? Yeah, it’s a common story.

But here’s the kicker— later never comes. And while you're hustling for some imaginary future where you'll magically have "more time," your well-being is slowly being ground to dust. Trust me, that whole “I can catch up on personal time later” mindset is one of the biggest myths that’s secretly sabotaging your success and happiness.

Let’s break it down.

Time Is Not a Savings Account

Contrary to what we tell ourselves, time doesn’t accumulate like money in a bank. You can’t stash hours away, thinking you’ll reclaim them when things “calm down.” Because here’s the hard truth—life doesn’t ever calm down. If anything, your plate only gets fuller as you grow your business or career.

Research from Harvard Business Review even points out that burnout is becoming a full-blown epidemic, especially among entrepreneurs and high-achievers who mistakenly think they can make up for lost time. The cycle of “I’ll catch up later” leads to mental and physical exhaustion. And if you're constantly trying to play catch-up, what are you even catching up to? The elusive balance you’re seeking is just getting farther and farther out of reach.

Your Body Doesn’t Do IOUs

Let’s get real for a sec—your body doesn’t give you a raincheck. You can't keep running on empty and expect to "pay it back" with a weekend getaway or a yoga class someday. Sleep deprivation, stress, and lack of downtime all pile up, taking a toll on your health that no amount of later can fix. In fact, studies from the American Psychological Association show that chronic stress messes with your immune system, increases your risk for heart disease, and even impacts your memory and decision-making.

The worst part? By the time you notice the effects, it’s often too late to undo the damage. The idea of catching up is appealing, but your body demands balance right now. You wouldn’t skip refueling your car just because you're busy, right? Why treat your body differently?

Personal Time Isn't a Luxury—It's a Necessity

Look, taking personal time isn’t some optional luxury you’ll get around to when you’ve "made it." It's a fundamental part of your success. When you neglect your personal life, it seeps into everything else—your work, your relationships, your health. And here’s the irony: the more you ignore your need for downtime, the less productive and creative you become.

It’s called diminishing returns, and it’s real. Studies have shown that after a certain point, working longer hours actually reduces your productivity. Your brain needs rest to function at its best. And that whole “grind 24/7” mentality? Yeah, it’s costing you more than it’s helping.

Let Go of the Guilt

One big reason people buy into this myth of catching up later is guilt. You feel like if you step away from the hustle for even a minute, you’re slacking off. The truth? Taking personal time is actually one of the smartest business moves you can make. Think about it—how much sharper are you when you’ve had a good night's sleep or taken a day off? You're more focused, more energized, and able to tackle your to-do list with renewed clarity.

We need to flip the script. Rest and relaxation aren’t the reward for hard work—they're the fuel that enables hard work. It’s time to stop thinking of downtime as a weakness and start seeing it as a strength.

Shifting the Mindset: Prioritize NOW, Not Later

To shift this belief, you’ve got to reframe how you view personal time. It’s not an “extra” you squeeze in when everything else is done—it’s part of your productivity plan. By weaving personal time into your daily life, you’ll prevent burnout before it even starts. It’s like maintenance for your mind, body, and spirit.

Take a page from the world’s top performers. CEOs, athletes, and creatives all make personal time a priority—not because they have more time than the rest of us, but because they understand that success is unsustainable without it. They block time for rest the same way they block time for meetings or strategy sessions. Why? Because they know that burnout is the enemy of success.

Action Plan: Make Personal Time Non-Negotiable

So, how do you actually make this shift? Start by treating personal time like the priority it deserves to be. Block it off in your calendar. Yes, actually schedule it. Whether it’s 15 minutes for mindfulness, an hour at the gym, or a day spent with your family—make it non-negotiable. Just like you wouldn’t cancel an important meeting, don’t cancel on yourself.

And when you’re in that personal time, be present. Disconnect from work. Resist the urge to check your emails or think about that project waiting for you. Fully invest in the moment. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

Final Thoughts: There’s No “Later”

In the end, "catching up on personal time later" is a myth because there is no later. There’s only now. By prioritizing your well-being in the present, you’ll show up stronger, more focused, and more energized for everything else that matters—your work, your relationships, your life.

Remember: You don’t need permission to take time for yourself. In fact, you owe it to yourself to stop putting it off.