It’s counter-intuitive, the idea of learning to relax, but the stereotype seems to hold true, on how Americans are so work-centric, that they can’t go on vacation without feeling guilty.  In contrast, it seems like Australians basically invented the holiday.

Even after being in Australia for a month, I’ve had a hard time really relaxing.  On the back of my mind, I keep thinking that I should get back to the US, back to work.  I keep thinking that I should be productive, working on my website, studying internet marketing, making some money.

And so, even when I’m in a position where I should be relaxed, I’m constantly active.  On beaches, I can’t just sit and relax, but I’ve got to take pictures (I blame my Asian DNA). hike along the beach. do something.  Somehow, it’s really hard to just ‘zen out’ and be at peace in the world.

Even though I’ve forced myself to disconnect by not bringing a GSM-compatible smartphone, I’m constantly making notes of interesting things I notice, to write about, reflect on, and possibly profit off of.

But as Jesse commented when I mentioned this to him, I’ve only been here for barely a month, and it really takes a while to transition out of a mindset I’ve spent my entire life in.

I wonder, it’s easy to make fun of the stereotypical American businessman, relaxing on the beach but still tethered to his blackberry, but as a whole, are we all so used to being concerned with work, that we need to take lessons on learning to relax?

If so, is that depressing?