You probably have a ton on your plate right now, so let’s get to it: I’m busy. You’re busy. We’re all incredibly busy.
We’re bustling to get out the door in the morning.
We’re searching for socks, packing lunches, and planning celebrations.
We’re busy responding to emails and leading conference calls.
We’re managing the PTA and organizing food drives for those in need.
We’re busy catching up on our favorite shows and grabbing lunch with friends.
We’re attending our kids’ sports games, music recitals, and then more games.
We’re busy planning date nights and scheduling babysitters, even heading to the store at midnight because we’re out of diapers—again.
We’re busy listing everything that occupies our time.
We’re busy being the amazing individuals we are.
Yes, we’re busy, so let’s just acknowledge that.
Recently, being busy has turned into a sort of badge of honor—a competition to see who can juggle the most. Busy seems to be synonymous with better. But here’s the truth: there’s no contest for who’s busier, so let’s stop pretending there is.
But does this mean we should view busy as a bad word? Is being busy automatically negative? Does stepping away from the “busyness battle” imply we need to drop everything and spend hours staring out the window? Is busy our enemy?
A while back, I came across an insightful piece by Jamie Lee on the pitfalls of being perpetually busy. Lee eloquently discusses the toll that constant busyness takes on our mental and spiritual well-being. She writes, “This dis-ease of being busy prevents us from being present with our loved ones and forming the connections we crave.”
Here we go again, I thought. Another article shaming me for my full schedule. I should be putting my phone down, closing my laptop at night, and going for aimless walks. I should let myself be bored. Ugh. I’m just as weary of this narrative as I am of hearing others brag about their busyness. Everyone operates differently. For some, like me, a busy schedule is fulfilling. For others, it can feel overwhelming.
Despite occasional grumbling, I genuinely enjoy being busy. It keeps me engaged and active, providing a sense of purpose. Sure, it can be exhausting, but for my mental health, being busy beats being idle.
Of course, not everyone thrives on a packed schedule. Many people need downtime to recharge and prefer unstructured afternoons. I am not one of them.
Initially, I found Lee’s critical take on busyness frustrating—calling it a disease was a bit harsh. However, as I read further, I realized she wasn’t advocating for us to abandon our commitments entirely. Instead, she encouraged us to shift our focus from what we’re doing to how we’re feeling.
Rather than replying to “How are you?” with “I’m so busy” or a list of tasks, Lee suggests we ask, “How is your heart?” Our feelings matter more than our to-do lists.
Staying active and occupied is beneficial for my heart. While being busy might not suit everyone, it works for me. It energizes me and helps me feel useful. It diverts my attention from worries outside my control by channeling my energy into what I can influence.
Being busy doesn’t mean being everything to everyone. I learned the hard way that saying “no” can allow for saying “yes” to things that truly matter. Being selective about how I fill my days frees up time for what I genuinely care about.
Let’s face it: there’s no competition for who’s busier. We’re all engaged in activities we want to do or need to do—or simply doing nothing at all. And that’s perfectly fine. So let’s stop obsessing over how busy we are and focus on what truly matters.
After all, we all have plenty to do—even if it includes nothing at all.
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Summary:
In a world that glorifies busyness, it’s essential to remember that not everyone thrives in a hectic environment. While some people find fulfillment in being busy, others need downtime to recharge. Rather than competing over who is busier, we should focus on how we feel and what truly matters to us.