Break the Addiction to Busyness

Here we are, 5 months after my last pandemic post, and the world is still on hold. It seems there’s something left for us to learn – we haven’t fully embraced the lessons we’re meant to yet.

As the end of lockdown appeared close a little while back, we were ready to jump straight back into our old, busy lives. We were ready to forget the wisdom we had gained and new way of life we had come to appreciate.

So the universe still has something in store for us.

I want you to pause for a minute and look back at the last few months – what have been the highlights for you?

Have you learnt a new skill? Did your partner cook you a really good meal? Was it that 3 hour card game you played with your grandparents and laughed harder than you have in a long time?

I bet that you remember the highlights, these small moments, much better than you would if this was any other ‘normal’ year.

Why? Because the world has slowed down. We aren’t as busy or distracted, we’re living day by day and cherishing the life we are living now. Not the life we’ll be living in 30 years after we’ve worked hard, made a 7-figure income, bought a house, and been ‘successful.’ But the life we live every day – the smiles we get from strangers, the new plants popping up in our backyard, the walk we took along the coast.

Being busy doesn’t make you happy, fulfilled, or a good person. But being present does.

Believe or not, we are not here on this earth to achieve. We are not meant to be constantly productive. The belief that we have to work hard, make sacrifices and be successful in order to be worthy as a person and get the life we want is a big, fat conspiracy. Don’t let them trick you into slaving away for a meaningless company for the rest of your years. 9 - 5, five days a week, enjoy yourself for two days on the weekend - does that not seem like a waste of life to you?

I’ve hit a point where I’m entering the ‘real world’ and people are asking me what job I’m going to do with my degree. As if my life is going be defined by my career and how productive I am. Just like the question we ask kindergarten kids, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” This baffles me. Why aren't we encouraged to define ourselves by exploring who we are, growing our relationships and playing with our closest friends?

It seems like we have lost perspective on what we are really here for.

We are here on this earth to explore, have fun, share love, and be playful. We are here to make ourselves happy. If this means quitting your job, travelling for a year, or starting your own business, do it. Your happiness is worth much more than hard work. It does not mean you are being selfish or lazy – it means you are being authentic to yourself and creating a life worth living.

It also does not mean we do nothing and have an overly hedonistic, gluttonous lifestyle. Of course, have goals and dreams, but align them to your passions. Infuse everything you do with fun - exercise, work, family, food, friends. And enjoy the process! Trust me, the ending won’t be nearly as fun as the part along the way. Because achieving becomes unsatisfying – you get the perfect body, the dream business, and then what? What do you do? Once you’ve got everything, you still find something else to need.

Have you asked yourself lately, who am I? Start exploring what makes you happy, and the things you enjoy that aren't meant to be productive or get you somewhere.

So these are our two big lessons: slowing down, and living for happiness rather than productivity. Present and happy – that is a much more powerful combination than distracted and hard working.

The easiest way to become less busy is by re-evaluating your social life. If you have a tendency to overcommit yourself to activities, gatherings or favours for friends, become aware that by jam-packing your schedule and rushing from task to task, you’re only living half a life. Being busy is not a badge to wear with honour – it makes you less friendly, less magnetic, less giving, and less enjoyable to be around.

Instead, pride yourself on the amount of time you take to look after your body, the sleep you grant yourself, and the hobbies you enjoy on your own. Try to leave some white space every day in your calendar, and start by only planning one activity per day on the weekend.

So here we are, in September, and the universe is still waiting for us to embrace these messages.

The opportunity we’ve been given to slow down and detox from this addiction to busyness has shown us that life is here, in this very moment. This is where we have fun and dream big and do the things we love. Make yourself happy and it will have a ripple effect – others around you will pursue their own happiness as well. Remember: life is here. Life is here and now.

We didn't come here just to make money and be important. We came here to make art, explore ourselves, celebrate and play. Now that is a life worth living.