What the what?

Last week I was drained from work and left work a few hours early to enjoy the sun and walk the dog. What a difference this week - the past couple of days i have not had much to do at work. i find myself leaving the office at 5pm and feeling almost guilty for leaving so EARLY. what the WHAT?! More good news - my coworker who went on paternity leave and left me with all his (unfinished) work came back this week and took over his stuff again. What a relief. Still, i suddenly feel like i'm not working enough - like something is WRONG.

my old manager explained it to me like this -

Our team is like an overworked donkey. The poor donkey has been carrying so much weight and for so long that when you start to relieve it of its load, it suddenly become defensive of what it was carrying and wants you to return it.