Picture this: it’s Saturday morning, you wake up, look out the window, see the sun pouring in, and think, “What do I want to do today?” You mentally scan your calendar and to-do list and realize there’s nothing pressing—no deadlines, no errands you’re obligated to run. The whole day is wide open. Total freedom. So you start taking stock. Are there any looming work problems you ought to get a head start on? Household tasks you’ve been avoiding? Groceries or other shopping that absolutely must get done? The answer: no, no, and still no. No demands. Nothing that a conscientious person clearly “ought” to be doing. You’re completely unencumbered. So now what?
The weather’s gorgeous, so maybe you should head outdoors. There’s that hike you’ve been wanting to try—tough but rewarding, with spectacular scenery. You feel like you could handle it, but are you really in shape for it? You’ve been skipping cardio lately, and those steep climbs might wipe you out. Plus, on such a nice day, the trail could be packed—with plenty of off-leash dogs, too. Maybe you should devote the day to finally getting your garden underway. Then again, it’s been a draining week. Perhaps the wiser move is to simply rest and enjoy yourself. Is there a good game on TV? A movie you’ve been meaning to stream? But if you spend the whole day slumped in front of a screen, you know you’ll end up annoyed with yourself for wasting it. If you’re going to take it easy, you tell yourself, at least make it…