Psychologist Eva Elisa Schneider explains that toxic productivity results from a combination of perfectionism, an inner sense of inadequacy, and external pressure, leading to constant work without breaks and neglect of health. Although such individuals believe they will achieve more, they actually enter a state of exhaustion that reduces focus, creativity, and quality of life, which is why she emphasizes that breaks and rest are crucial for long-term productivity and mental health, reports Vogue.
While endlessly scrolling, we hardly notice that discipline can turn into determining a person's worth, and when we see that we didn't have a 10-step morning routine, skincare, pre-prepared meals, workouts, or journaling, a feeling of dissatisfaction with our own life sets in.
The Culture of Perfect Routines
We increasingly see one-minute videos where a person organizes their life step by step, with hashtags like "morning routine," "sunday reset," "cleantok." These seemingly harmless routines aim to motivate viewers. However, in reality, it's a global trend where "routine" often becomes a performance—a carefully staged frame of productivity, light, and order.
While for some, this is a time for rest and relaxation, there is more content turning a free day into a checklist of tasks. All these routines look beautiful, but they are not sustainable long-term for the average person.
The problem isn't with routines themselves, as they can be extremely useful, especially when it comes to healthy habits. However, the issue arises when productivity begins to be presented as an aesthetically perfect and universal model that we should all follow.
The Illusion of Perfect Productivity
Sometimes, it's enough to become aware and realize that on social media, we only see the best parts of the day—what is beautiful, organized, and controlled. What we won't see are days without energy, lethargy, failed plans, and the real, "boring" routines that most people have.
When productivity is staged, deliberately planned, framed, and recorded, it increasingly looks like an advertisement for happiness, showing viewers how someone's perfect routine will make them happy and satisfied.
Good Enough Is Enough
Instead of asking ourselves, "Did I do everything?" it might be better to ask, "Did I do enough for today?" Small steps bring big changes. It's important to develop a healthy relationship with productivity, meaning realistically assessing how much can be done while allowing time for breaks.
"Regular breaks are key, even short ones, like stretching, deep breathing, or looking into the distance," says psychologist Schneider.
Others' routines can serve as inspiration and examples, but not as a standard we must achieve. Productivity should not be a measure of our worth, because sometimes the most productive thing we can do is—rest.