As soon as I articulated my feelings, I regretted it.
What began as a straightforward inquiry from a colleague — “How are you?” — quickly morphed into a tiresome exhibition of subtle one-upmanship. “I’m well!” I responded, “But busy. Really busy.” I proceeded to enumerate a plethora of work obligations, family schedules, household chores, and social engagements that were consuming my time. I even added a dramatic sigh about my lack of sleep and overwhelming fatigue.
My colleague nodded but remained silent. I had effectively triumphed in the Busy Olympics.
In our society, busyness has become synonymous with worthiness. Being busy is perceived as a mark of success. Or at least, that’s what I once believed. Observing the trends, it seems that many share this notion.
Busyness has evolved into the humblebrag of choice. We tend to list our myriad commitments as if they validate our existence. We become martyrs, drowning in our own self-imposed chaos, as if to say, “Oh, you think you’re busy? Just wait until you hear about my schedule filled with ballet, soccer, PTA meetings, and work commitments.” Yet, as I mindlessly recounted my busy life in response to a simple question, I realized how deeply entrenched I had become in this culture of competition.
The truth is, busy is not a badge of honor. It does not signify superiority.
Let me clarify: I wholeheartedly support living life to the fullest. After all, we only have one chance to experience this world. If you thrive on being busy, that’s your choice. However, when did being busy become a contest?
The reality is that we are all busy for various reasons. Sometimes, it’s a result of our choices; sometimes, it’s simply the nature of life. Parenting, work, and community responsibilities can all contribute to our packed schedules.
This isn’t a manifesto advocating for minimalism or a slower pace of life. I’m not even proposing that we should reduce our busyness. What I suggest is that we should refrain from incessantly discussing just how busy we are. Yes, we are busy, and that is a shared experience, so let’s stop treating it like a competitive sport.
Many individuals are busy at work, navigating long hours, demanding tasks, and multiple jobs. They manage to send emails to teachers while on conference calls or skip lunches to attend their children’s activities. Others are busy at home, handling the chaos of parenting—changing diapers, preparing meals, and soothing tantrums. Some are engaged in volunteer work, dedicating their time to causes that matter to them.
We all have our commitments, and we are all “busy.” However, this competition to determine who is the busiest is becoming overwhelming and counterproductive.
So, I’m opting out of the “busy but good” narrative when asked how I am. I will no longer provide a rundown of my time-consuming activities. I am withdrawing from this exhausting and fruitless competition. After all, I’m far too busy to engage in it.
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In summary, while we all lead busy lives, it’s essential to recognize that this busyness should not define us or become a competition. Let’s focus on meaningful connections instead of tallying our tasks.
Keyphrase: End the Busy Culture
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