Once upon a time, they were a must for me... However, I am glad I don't have a need for them now, being semi-retired (dare I even say it... lol) and am purposely freeing up more of my schedule for me-time, and family-time... Somehow I seem to be more busy now than when I held a full-time job... ;)
I've heard that said about retirement more times than I can count. That's funny, isn't it? I imagine, though, that if you suddenly didn't know how to fill your time you'd find yourself in trouble.
Haha, never... for me! :D I have too many things that I want to do or maybe 'have' to do... A definite case of: So many things, so little time...
I think one has more time when working full-time as it's structured - you have to be at work at such and such a time, and leave work (approx) at such and such a time! Whereas when we are 'free' everything and everyone thinks you are 'free' and can do anything for them any time! Hence... ;)
I can see that. Work is often my getaway. I use it as a space I can get things done that I could never get done at home.