It's okay to be unproductive.

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This video was born out of my own frustration of not being productive. I totally own up to titling and branding some of my stuff towards productivity, but i'd be lying if I told you I was this productivity machine; I'm still very much human. Through therapy, I've been able to learn a ton more about myself with regards to how I view my own worth and move through time -- I guess I just wanted to make a video about this, because I kinda didn't really feel like making anything else.
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Mayuko Inoue is a content creator and Software Engineer. After working in Silicon Valley tech companies like Intuit, Patreon, and Netflix for six years as an iOS Engineer, she became a full-time creator in 2020. Her work aims to help people find their way through the tech industry by sharing her own experiences navigating this world through technology, career advice, and lifestyle videos. She is passionate about discussions around mental health, cultural identity, and creating technology with empathy and compassion.
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[@Sackboy612]

I think the worst thing is when you can't even enjoy those leisurely activities because you feel guilty that you're not being productive. It's all a cycle, great that you turned your experience into a video!

[@raneemabdulbar1379]

This would be my answer if someone asked me what I do with my life.

[@horeaporutiu]

I get this all the time. The guilt of not being producting. It's awful.

[@Daisy-eu5pk]

I thought I was the only one who felt like that🥲

[@GamerPCForever]

I always feel like that :(

[@nhuq1650]

@@horeaporutiu true. It sucks

[@RobertSmith-ch9jj]

Brain: No work today! Me: OK, just relaxing then. Brain: No relaxing, only anxiety!

[@melissasoriano1745]

For real!! 😆

[@GamerPCForever]

:(

[@tienphan637]

this is actually our brain feels like !!!

[@swatisingh1666]

Glad I am not alone!

[@tienphan637]

@@swatisingh1666 there is some solutions in this video that I think they might be useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGa7lYuVp957pcU&ab_channel=BigThink

[@pizzamnchr]

Like the wise Pooh said, "Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something."

[@EssLoco]

Pooh Shiesty, that's my dawg, but, Pooh, you know I'm really shiesty

[@bryanh5524]

Well Pooh never had a back to back chem and physics test in 24 hours

[@zzaiion4159]

this video is not for lazy people

[@marensvare507]

YES. Every social feed is 'work harder,' 'push through,' 'go get it,' 'hustle.' And I can't even right now.

[@realamericannegro977]

That is so annoying. Remember when people used to simply do stuff and mind their own business?

[@imeldafani]

yes!!! this makes me even more anxious

[@Veraverita347]

@@imeldafani samee

[@jcindass89]

We're raised to believe that our self worth is directly correlated to how productive we are and how much money we bring to the table. We have to move away from that culture, and that our self worth is not defined by our work. Every person has an unlimited amount of worth regardless of what we do with our lives. Productivity does not define our worth. Our worth should push our productivity.

[@theunnamed8641]

Capitalism doesn't agree to that 🤣

[@NothingHumanisAlientoMe]

An unlimited amount of worth?

[@strawwberryyy]

@@theunnamed8641 that's why we need an alternative

[@EWAMILENAP]

@JC Thank you for sharing your light and your beauty♡

[@theintrovertedaspie9095]

@@strawwberryyy unfortunately there is no "alternative." Escpecialy with social media becoming more advanced, the economy continuously changing, and the raising costs of living.

[@NchlsPtrck]

You should make a t-shirt that says: "Today, I'm a potato" I'd buy that.

[@boymyc3691]

A huge thumps up!

[@szelin1091]

or 'today i let myself potato'

[@yeol1424]

Today i’m going to order potato pizza..i’m just a potato..

[@diogobcondeco]

simply: #potatoday

[@danhle7999]

this is a good idea

[@alexisbeaudoin1606]

Problem is, I’ve been feeling like a potato for the past 3 or 4 months...

[@christinarodriguesmusic]

It’s okay, been feeling like a patatoe for the last 3 years

[@alexisbeaudoin1606]

@@christinarodriguesmusic ❤️

[@admiringthemoon4579]

I'm being a potato for 2 weeks already 😭

[@shimaalcarrim7949]

Tomato

[@vsboardza]

That sounds like depression mate, look into that. Speaking from experience

[@DrewLytle]

Hank green said it best, "You will always struggle with feeling productive until you realize your own joy is something you produce and that it is valuable."

[@EWAMILENAP]

@Drew It must be wonderful to be around you. Light, beauty and love to YOU♡

[@blahdelablah]

"All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone." Blaise Pascal

[@jsm2687]

You were not unproductive. You were productive at enjoying life. You either do work or do life.

[@azkanaeem4896]

That's such a wonderful way of seeing things!

[@yfoog]

Love that!

[@nhuq1650]

Yeah! That’s what im telling myself right now lol. If you enjoy doing it,then it worth it😉

[@CainSuzuko]

I'm so tired of being in grade 12. I just want to rest for an indefinite amount of time. School has taken a toll on me. I've been like this for a week or two now. Can't do anything about it. Can't rest, can't find peace, can't regain my passion and energy. I keep doing schoolwork because obviously, I want to graduate.

[@jonathan-3008]

Hang in there. Once school ends you’ll feel great

[@dormansutt8429]

@@jonathan-3008 Are you sure about that ?

[@alexanderarea6157]

Take a gap year,it work wonders.

[@nselkamil8946]

Feel the exact same :[

[@MatthewEncina]

Me lately.

[@benb_]

Thing is, I've been feeling like a potato a lot recently. I'm in college and it's just so hard to find any motivation to study/get work done ever since the pandemic hit. I'm trying my best I think... it's just so hard when every day feels the same and I'm stuck, not being able to do anything or go anywhere other than my computer in my bedroom. Sorry for the small rant, I'm just hoping it gets better soon :/

[@GamerPCForever]

Same feeling over here. I am just soo tired of doing nonsense homeworks... can't even leave my desk

[@xxjonnyboy707xx]

This couldn’t have come at a better time, Im in my final year of college and its been so hard to try to stay productive and focus on my work. It’s reassuring to know im not alone so thank you :)

[@hemao0o1]

you definitely not alone, I'm in my last year of college as well, and I feel like doing nothing than watching YT and anime.

[@vasilikiphant]

I am in my final year too and today I have an exam on my last course T^T

[@boksmkb2195]

yooo im also in my last year and i do this too lol

[@bigbaggoyard]

same, i was planning on grinding leetcode every day but then I realised there's more to life than faang salary. plus faang companies arent going away anytime soon so I can always apply in the future. I'm in my 20s and I should be enjoying life not selling my youth for some corpo whos all about making money.

[@hemao0o1]

@@bigbaggoyard i wouldn't agree with you about spending your youth for corps, at the end the things you learn are arsenal for you and only you to be more successful in your life and have more abilities that will widen your opportunities regardless of how you can apply them practically. Bottom line you shouldn't be bothered by all the company greed stuff and focus on building your self. Thanks.

[@JB-pl8vj]

Just had a technical interview.. feeling awful, ugly, and dumb. Thanks for this video, awesome timing, cheers from Argentina

[@ItsTornHD]

You’re not awful, ugly or dumb. You did your best, keep your head up. Learn from it and move forward, I believe in you :)

[@vatarants]

I still practicing tech skills Can't get to an interview yet. You are a lot better than me dude

[@JB-pl8vj]

@@ItsTornHD thank you Ryan, means a lot!

[@JB-pl8vj]

@@vatarants you will get there, sooner or later, I’m no better than you! Cheer up

[@randomuser2579]

This is why I left tech. I don't think its a healthy field to work in anymore, and what's worse, the products we create don't last. Really feels like a waste of time.

[@MrCookieDu]

"curl up and watch one piece"...wow super relatable lel!!!

[@imanafandy6607]

It makes me like her more

[@xhawks8096]

One piece is just greatness. One of my fav go to copying mechanisms is rewatching XD

[@bonkekunene5910]

@@xhawks8096 the fact you're rewatching with the number of episodes is insane

[@xhawks8096]

@@bonkekunene5910 I've been watching for like 13 years. I've been caught up for like 7 years. I'm 25 now, graduated college last year XD

[@moor5868]

i was like " yess me too "

[@hilken]

Good to see this kind of video. I remember this one teacher back on my old university that, one day out of the blue, told us: "Why should we always try to be the best? Or the first ones? To reach the top no matter what? Living that way only leads to a life full of stress and medical bills. If you are okay earning a bit more that what you need to live then, why keep pushing for more money or achievements? just live your life to your own rithm, it's your life after all"

[@malta-q4966]

Its been 4 years in that "have to be productive but dont want to do anything" mood

[@itech40]

Maybe you got to change that by force. God help us bro ! I feel you

[@PanickedPixel]

I needed this. Been feeling potato ever since I quit my job in January. I tried giving myself a schedule and tons of activities during this career break... but I realized part of taking a career break is actually taking a *break.* 😂

[@lacelilies]

omg me tooo since December @_@ this video and the one about burnout is reaffirming tho cause it took me till start of march to really just be at peace about my situation

[@christinarodriguesmusic]

Right 😂

[@ulaai]

@@lacelilies same 😭I'm already accepting it now but I still regret wasting three months doing nothing... felt like I could've done better.

[@suicune3776]

Yesh! Please relax, everyone needs a break

[@MixSonaProductions]

"Productivity is less about what you do about your time. And more about how you run your mind." - Robin Sharma

[@machina2672]

I was planning on sitting at my desk, forcing myself into another musical idea and falling asleep at my desk again just to try to impress some other producers. But after seeing this I’m gonna take a few days, and learn to be okay with being happy for a little

[@douxhealth-beauty3196]

‘Learn to be ok with being happy’ wow that made perfect sense to me…it clicked.

[@longhornfinch]

After over 1 year of self-isolating and WFH. I am going through the same blues as well. I can only stare at my monitor and not write a single line of code, which ended up creating pressure on me for not being able to do achieve the tasks I set myself to do.

[@MadhusudhanSridhar]

How have you been / planning to deal with it?

[@arifentreprenuer3131]

yup me too

[@arifentreprenuer3131]

@@MadhusudhanSridhar on and off, when i feel blues. i just rest, then restart

[@hellomayuko]

Hope you'll indulge me in making a video that I made for myself, because I feel like I need to remind myself of this always. Take care everybody. Btw don't forget to check out Skillshare! The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/mayuko02212

[@KaroCodes]

It's ok 🤗❤️

[@SoftwareJournal]

Potatoes are a good source of iron and energy.

[@nekos3005]

Thank you soooo much for this!!

[@ArifBasri]

no its not only a video for yourself...it happen to most of us too but we don’t have a channel to express it out loud and be ok about it . Thank you for making this and sharing it and make us feel ok when it happened .

[@saeedalobidi4195]

Nice Mayuko l send u some messages in Twitter Plz reply it

[@jjpp1993]

just hearing someone about the subject of “its ok not to be productive” relaxed me

[@ArifBasri]

“you are enough”. Always remember this always whenever you feel like you are unproductive. we are not machine although with our superpowers we are meant to make significant changes to this world. not all the time...

[@LittleBigBwner]

I really needed to hear this from someone. I've felt like a worthless, lazy piece of dogcrap for the longest time. Thank you

[@pedrogoncalves9882]

"Because girl, you're not a machine, for crying out loud" That really resonated with me, thanks! In all seriousness, great video, I needed this.

[@miunify]

I’ve been feeling like this for like a year and I feel stuck in life

[@joymae]

Thank you for normalizing this. It’s ok if you’re not ok. We all go through our ups and downs.

[@remikun]

When I go to sleep, it just feels... like my heart is being gouged... Being unproductive sucks.

[@jangelsb]

This week is really rough for me right now

[@SABII]

I've been finding myself in this state more often since the pandemic started. And it's good to know I'm not the only one who feels like this.

[@thanhphamthitan5342]

Ho Mayuko, I really feel it on you. That's why I started watching your KZbin Chanel a year ago. I am a female student in CS and sometimes I feel so burned out and overwhelmed. I really want to keep moving on, not giving up on my career. But somehow, I just wanna have some unproductive days to calm myself down and give myself some affirmation, so even just a while without stress. After that, I still go back on track of my career. I know that being a Software Engineer is tough and requires a lot willpower. I hope you can handle those times well and stay happy.

[@stefanexplores]

Great video, Mayuko. About the deathbed thing, you should check out the work of Bronnie Ware. She talked to a lot of people on their deathbeds as a caretaker and then approached it as a scientist. Turns out they all said just existing with your closest friends and family is the best thing in life. Also their biggest regret was working too much or losing contact with their friends. So don't worry, you won't wish you were more productive. The discussion in this video tells me you're on the right path :)

[@hannahsauer7734]

Beating myself up for not being productive and then not being productive because of the fear of not being able to be productive because my selfworth depends on it literally is what got me into depression. Being compassionate and forgiving with yourself is the best thing to do!

[@ohmagso]

oh man this must be a sign from my spirit guides or something. this year i decided to do a gap semester due to my college being online again. two semesters of online school were enough for me to draw the line in order to salvage my mental well-being. although not being in school ultimately makes me feel so unproductive and sad, it’s slowly helping me figure out what i want to do and if my major is really right for me and stuff. it’s just crazy to me that we feel like we have to be doing things in order to feel successful. i think we should all cut ourselves some slack

[@FootlessJo]

I love this. Thank you.

[@NoMoreTears64]

This applies to those of us in our Retirement years too! I struggle with the mentality that I HAVE to be productive and let's face it, my energy and motivation are a bit slower now. I worked hard at being a mom, a wife, and an employee my entire life and now I just want to NOT feel guilty about being "relaxed" some days.

[@moshiurrahmanautul1086]

watching one piece during leisure time. that's some big brain move. well i started One Piece in this pandemic and now it's my favourite anime alongside with Naruto

[@sofiaoronaa]

i needed this today, thank you

[@elizabeth4689]

this hits hard. I'm looking for a job right now and the constant rejections and ghosting and let-downs is catching up to me. Strength to all!

[@rickkyc86]

I can’t believe how motivating it is for someone to acknowledge this and say its okay, thank you

[@FruityHachi]

i too struggle with the mindset that if i'm not productive i'm not good enough it's the same kind of trap as the mindset "become the best version of yourself" and when you're not there yet at your ideal version of self, you think something's wrong with you that needs fixing, changing, improving in order to be good enough, worthy and deserving when actually it's ok to not be perfect, to not be the best version you could be because like you said we're humans not robots

[@MionMikan]

Mayuko: "It's okay to be unproductive" Me at 25 years of life: "SEE MOM, I TOLD YOU"

[@user-gs2lc7vr7p]

I relate to you girl, thank you for this! You're not alone. We can get through this ☺️.

[@d.o.p.d.o.p.1775]

Thank you, I really needed this.

[@Elladan_Tasartir]

I really needed this today. Had a rough day at work, had a lot to do, a lot to focus on, hell, am still following logs for one of our services, so, yeah, pretty boring and taxing work I'm doing rn. Still, with all of this tiring work, I still felt the need to be productive and continue with my studies today. But damn, I really need some rest

[@ITSH4WK]

Needed this for sure. Can definitely relate. Thanks, Mayuko! 🙏

[@tt_tm]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@rebeccascloud]

i LOVE this video and it's honestly SO needed!!

[@mjmikaelson]

Thank You for sharing Mayuko!

[@TheMrYogesh]

Exactly. Love you for these contents.

[@TimeForPenguins]

i really needed this today. thank you so much, mayuko 💕

[@santoshaveera7084]

Think you read my mind... I was just feeling so guilty for being so tired and unproductive and then this video popped up just when I needed it. Thank you

[@paulashinn]

i loved this video! thank you! i needed this!

[@earthed.shared]

Thank You for making this video!! I needed to hear this!

[@Lovehollyhart]

I needed this. Thank you

[@howenanthonyfernandojr.1593]

So so relevant! Especially for students at this time but for everyone! Thanks for the reminder :)

[@mohameds3492]

Thank you for this. I always try to remind myself of this but hearing someone else struggle with motivating themselves and saying its ok makes me feel like im not alone. Thank you

[@AntaPotter15]

i needed this video today!!!!!! thanks mayuko

[@furbytvtv]

It's so refreshing when a video like this comes up on my feed. Thank you for the humanly reminder

[@eddiecational]

Have very much been feeling the slump this week (and many other weeks this past year) and was beating myself up about it, so this video came at a perfect time! Thank you for expressing what I think a LOT of us are going through right now. (Also your cat is SO pretty omg)

[@tarasplint6104]

I was experiencing the same thing the last two weeks. Thank you so much for uploading this video. I was being too hard on myself

[@ricardoneves93]

I totally can relate with this! Don't feel bad, sometimes we just need to rest and enjoy doing other stuff!

[@1MrHam]

I really needed this video, this week has been awfull to me, no motivation at all, a lot of doubts about me. Sometimes we forget that we are just humans that need to rest. Thank you so much

[@seyu8666]

Oh my god !!! You have literally said what I wanted to hear and I am feeling much better now...thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@StuffJ]

Just when I needed this, thanks!

[@FranciscoHernandez-sr7el]

I totally needed this, thank u Mayuko!

[@Ignatius98]

Glad to see this! I feel this way too sometimes! Love you! Take care!

[@poppy7409]

Thank u❤ I needed to hear this

[@MatthewLin]

Thank you so much for making this video. This past week and a half I've been feeling the same exact way after like a month and a half of being super productive, I thought there was something wrong with me since I wasn't being productive at all. Thank you

[@ypaut]

Impressed by the way you managed to put those things into words. It always feels impossible to explain to someone who does not already relate to it. Thank you for the video

[@m1lkb0xx]

Lmao those days I walk into work and I’m like “I’m just here to get paid today”

[@willob515]

Thanks for emphasizing the need to just let yourself be from time to time, its a lesson i'm slow to learn..! Since I decided to pursue going into tech, I've been so frozen by how much I want/need to get done because I already feel like I'm behind. Even seeing productivity videos on my feed gave me a knot in my stomach! But yeah, potatoeing it out really helped, as well as just deciding to noodle around with code rather than trying to Get Things Done

[@Rainjojo]

Recently, I’ve began studying more often along with working out, polishing my art style, and learning a new instrument. But there’s days where I just don’t feel like doing anything even if I’ll feel guilty afterwards. I don’t beat myself up, and still make a minimum effort to drink water and stretch a few hamstrings. I think days where I just don’t feel like doing anything are the days I take advantage of to plan my upcoming days so that I’ll know what to expect, rather than lay in bed all day.

[@AlexOropel]

I'm going through my second week of feeling unproductive, but I'm also going through stuff with mental health so this video is super reassuring. Thank you for making this.

[@keudae]

Thank you for this 😢💙

[@bemepictures333]

This video makes me think a lot. Thank you for this 👍.

[@tankantwist3585]

Needed to hear this! Thank you.

[@KDTechverse]

Thanks for posting !

[@steljenx]

thank you for this. like, for real. this hit so close to home even more when you mentioned 'the past two weeks.' my family and i just had a health crisis and i had to put my academic life on pause for the two weeks we were on isolation. feeling so left behind in uni work had me anxious almost to the point of self-destruction. but now i'm more ready and i'm catching up, i hope. this video helped me realize that it's okay to just let life happen. thank you!

[@jemimaorakwue3450]

This is such perfect timing!!!! I felt so unproductive today. Thank you for this video!

[@eros_sore]

Just at the right time, as always, thank you Mayuko

[@skyk4417]

I really needed to hear this, it's been a rough week. So, thank you

[@_CodeLife_]

I want to thank you for sharing this with us Mayuko! After a year of work, I saw that a few times a month I have a bad day and I felt worthless for not doing enough, I learned to accept it and not blame myself even more. And, I have hyper days as well when I feel good for no reason. After over 4 years of having a job, I'll take both

[@azilim]

definitely felt the same these last couple of weeks. thanks for sharing your experience ♥ hope you are taking care of yourself.

[@zika9688]

Thank you for this !!!

[@Koderfacts]

Thank you, I needed this

[@ecrod12]

Just discovered your channel as I am new to the development world. And I really needed to hear this message, cuz this has been my struggle lately..so thank you for this video 🙏

[@ropro9817]

Wise words! Love your videos, Mayuko! They help make me feel human again.

[@achtube85]

Can SO relate. Thanks for showing yourself from such an honest place! Inspiring :)

[@RJ-gh3lg]

I needed this thank you 🥺🤍

[@anauckermann]

What a relevant video, thank you so much for putting it out there. It's much needed.

[@Tanju_Ahmed]

I needed this video. I've been like this for a bit. Thanks

[@andrerexdianarchie6589]

Thanks for creating this video. 😊

[@imamajawad98]

Perfect timing. I was feeling soo unmotivated just now and saw this. Sometimes the tech industry can be so draining.

[@MizuShinobi303]

Thank you for making this video. It makes me feel better about stepping away from my work and computer and just enjoying time with my SO or play video games.

[@nataliad2530]

I came across this channel earlier today and love the video on why hustling isn't for everyone. So when I saw the topic of being unproductive, I had to check that out too! It's really nice to hear successful and put together people talking about how they struggle with these things too. I've realized how much shittier I make myself feel by thinking the only way to be a "success" and not a waste of life is to be productive at all times. Being able to read all the important books, learn all the things, have super human focus and energy, and be maximally efficient and productive are goals that feel super important... but they aren't realistic for me right now (or ever?). I've always been plagued with the feeling that nothing I do is ever good enough and that I always need to be better, so it's hard for me not to subscribe to these ideals of super productivity and efficiency. Unfortunately, struggles with anxiety and depression have made that a painfully unrealistic reality for me. It's hard to accept that it is OK to be human. That it is OK to be tired and unmotivated at times. PSA to people that battle with mental or physical health problems in particular: Not being as constantly productive as you'd like does not make you lazy or unmotivated. Fighting battles within your own mind, or trying to heal your body, are exhausting endeavors. Give yourself some credit and remember that progress isn't always linear. Sorry for the slightly senseless ramble. Also, Mayuko, you're adorable and I love your videos like this!

[@ProfessorKExplains]

Me and my students really need to hear this right now. ❤️ Thank you.

[@jxkc.3941]

Thank you for making this video. So many tech/programming youtubers always focus their lives around being productive to the point it paints such a bitter picture about what the subjects are about. It just feels discouraging and introduces things such as toxic productivity into our lives.