From Sam Edge, Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
The idea that we should strive to find more effortful leisure pursuits won’t suit everyone (5 October, p 39).
Many of us have very physically or mentally effortful jobs and some, sadly, don’t particularly enjoy much of that effort. The last thing they need is to feel guilty for decompressing with TV, music, a trashy novel or other “non-productive” activity. Even those lucky enough to get satisfaction from work effort need downtime.
When my partner retired from a stressful teaching job, she spent a lot of time trying to find a worthy structured activity. It took her a while to realise that this was just causing anxiety. Now, she doesn’t worry about how much time is spent gardening, reading, drawing, doing yoga, looking after family, chatting in the pub or zoning out in front of the TV with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese!
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