Marina Lopes, a 40-year-old marketing manager and mother of 4-month-old Theo, is one of the people who feel guilty when resting. Unlike many new mothers who use their baby's nap times to relax, Marina feels the need to produce, resolve work issues, read emails, and take an artificial intelligence course to not fall behind.
This need for performance has accompanied Marina for a long time. Her routine includes an early alarm even on weekends, and moments of idleness simply do not exist in her life. She reports being unable to just breathe, calm down, and drink water without feeling the need to be productive, whether going out or doing some activity.
Marina also maintains productivity goals that, when not met, generate frustration. Last year, she had the goal of reading 10 books but managed to read only 3 during the discovery of her pregnancy. The marketing manager describes her situation as a constant comparison with others and a difficulty in simply doing nothing.
