Culture of “Busy”
This is something I’ve been pondering a lot lately. Have you had a recent conversation that started with “How have you been?”, followed by, “Oh, busy, very busy!”. Do you often feel too busy? Shoving food in your mouth quickly as time permits? Waking at 4am to squeeze in a workout (or extra work!)? Becoming the King or Queen of multitasking? Welcome to what I feel is our culture of “busy”. This is most people I know, including me. Getting a group together, sometimes even a close group of friends, is hard. We live in a world of innovation that has awarded us with the ability to pile it on when it comes to the “to do” list.
It’s Not Enough
Continuing to feel like you (still) aren’t doing enough? Another aspect of today’s culture, if you ask me. Achieve more, attain more, do more...it’s never enough. Busy from the time you wake until bedtime? You’re doing plenty. Maybe it’s time to take a look at your time management. Maybe it’s time to reassess your values. The last couple of years have brought about much change. That has likely had an impact on what is most important to you. What you value most might have changed, and you need to make sure that you are living your life according to those values.
Finding “Balance”
Finding balance...what does that even mean? Well, it could be about avoiding the feeling that you may “break”, or avoiding unhealthy stress, and living a life according to what’s most important to you. It’s also about taking some time for “being” instead of always “doing”. Self care isn’t selfish, it helps us to be our best selves for others.
Personal Connection
My inspiration for this post. I see a lack of personal connection these days. We are social organisms. We need social contact and social support. Research shows that we engage better in person, and that social support systems are incredibly important for our mental health, and survival. Emails and texts, Zoom meetings, social media, masks, are all deteriorating our much needed in-person, genuine connection.
I invite you to re-evaluate what’s most important to you, and reorganize your schedule to reflect that. I hope you find time for what’s most important, time for yourself, time for “being”, and become a bit more zen, overall.
-M