Your idea of relaxation isn't mine

It’s 7am in Nusa Dua. My fiancé is still sleeping. I’m downstairs at the hotel restaurant with my laptop, building new comparison features for my platforms.

Guy at the next table starts talking. “You shouldn’t work on weekends. You need to relax.”

I told him I don’t feel relaxed when I’m not working. He said that didn’t make sense.

Here’s the thing. Relaxation isn’t universal.

For him, relaxation means zero work. Phone off. Mind empty. That works for him.

For me, relaxation means working on stuff I choose. No meetings. No calls. Just me and code at 7am with terrible hotel coffee.

The real question is why we think everyone should relax the same way.

Most people think weekends mean complete separation from work. That if you’re typing on a laptop, you’re stressed. That productivity and peace can’t coexist.

I’ve tested this. Forced weekends off. Felt anxious the entire time. Kept thinking about features I wanted to build. Problems I wanted to solve.

So I stopped forcing it.

Now I work Saturday mornings because I want to. Not because I have to. Big difference.

I’m not checking emails or taking calls. I’m building stuff that matters to me. In a place I chose. At a time I chose.

That’s my version of relaxation.

The guy finished his breakfast and left. Probably thinks I’m some stressed workaholic who can’t disconnect.

Maybe I am. Or maybe I just know what actually works for me.

Point is, there’s no right way to spend your Saturday morning. Some people need complete disconnection. Others need creative flow.

Both are fine.

Just don’t assume your version of relaxation is the only valid one.