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Busyness Preoccupies Us From Actually Living Life
It seems that people are increasingly becoming unhappy due to the need to be productive. Just walk down the street and see how many people are glued to their phones answering calls, checking emails, and scrolling through feeds. I’m aging myself, but 20 years ago, someone would have to call home. If the person wasn’t available, the caller would have to wait for the person to return their call. Now, the expectation is to be available 24/7. I’m sure many people see this as a necessity, but I’m here to tell you that this means of productivity is a choice that I make. As far as I can see, busyness is the biggest distraction to living life.
I am born, I go to school, and then I work. Once I hit the age where I am preparing to leave Earth, I feel like I’ve lived a short life. I just wasted it by only showing up to what I perceived as my obligations. I have desires and achievements. Yet, with every goal met, my fulfillment remains empty until I go on to the next goal and the next goal until I die. That’s my life.
A Scarce Resource
If capitalism emphasizes the need to efficiently use scarce resources, why isn’t time emphasized? Time is a resource all of us don’t have an infinite amount of, at least while I abide on this planet. I think I need to be stingier with my time, just as if I am looking to find the best deal on something that I don’t need. I’m aware that I must work, but I’ve since realized that not all work is for my good, and I try to detach from the tasks and the meetings that don’t enhance my well-being or the well-being of others. What if valuing my time was a form of self-care? It’s a resource that I can only give but never get back. It’s my greatest form of charity.
I get it. I’ve heard people say that they don’t want to be bored. They must keep active. They must keep busy. My question is, why? Why is it so bad to be bored? To me, it feels like I’m using busyness to escape something. Is what I am doing productive? It seems like the things that mean nothing distract us from finding meaning, and I like it this way. It’s very hard to find purpose in life when I am too busy checking off boxes. In doing what I think I should do, I never learn what I want. I never learn how to live in my truest self.
In this way, I hide from myself. Do I truly know who I am? I mean outside of my title. Why is it that when I meet someone, my first question is, “What do you?” It’s because if I were asked, “Who are you?” I wouldn’t have an answer.
A Problem for Future Me
It’s quite ironic how I am so attached to a life I don’t live. I think this may be the biggest detriment and the reason for my busyness. As humans, I am so concerned with the future that I don’t care to live in the moment. I care about getting that new promotion, so I work hard today for something that’s not guaranteed to us tomorrow. I buy things in luxury and become slaves to those objects because I must either maintain them or maintain the income level to afford them. Homeowners know what I’m talking about.
Death can be a good motivator here. What if I truly lived every day as if it were my last? The future no longer exists. All you have is now. How would I change? If I had no concern for tomorrow, I wouldn’t do the things I didn’t find valuable, even if it comes with consequences. If I make it tomorrow, I can deal with those consequences then. This outlook is kind of scary, though, so I work towards building a false sense of security to make us feel a bit more comfortable. Consequently, I work to merely exist.
Who Am I Living For?
It becomes much worse when my busyness is for the benefit of a made-up entity like a company. Business, in general, is a pyramid scheme in which those at the bottom feel like they must work hard to get to the top. As I’ve mentioned, the top is not guaranteed. There are many stories where people must put their blood, sweat, and tears into a company for 20+ years only to be laid off. All the work that went into the company benefited someone else. The person laid off is forced to detach and find another identity. It’s almost like they spent more than 20 years doing nothing. If that hurt, I’m sorry, but it’s also time for a change. Doing the same thing again would be insanity.
Questions and Responses
Why do people feel the need to always be busy?
People often stay busy because of societal pressure and the belief that productivity equates to worth. There is a fear of missing out (FOMO) and the pressure to constantly achieve and move towards the next goal. Additionally, busyness can serve as a distraction from deeper questions about one’s life purpose and emotional well-being, providing an escape from introspection.
How has technology affected our sense of busyness?
Technology has made us more accessible than ever before, creating an expectation of 24/7 availability. In the past, people could disconnect and have time to themselves, but now smartphones, emails, and social media have blurred the boundaries between work, personal time, and rest. This constant connectivity often leads to feelings of stress and an inability to truly unwind.
Is busyness a form of escapism?
Yes, busyness can be a form of escapism. Many people fill their schedules with tasks and obligations to avoid sitting with their thoughts or confronting deeper issues in their lives. By keeping themselves constantly occupied, they can ignore feelings of dissatisfaction or the absence of true purpose.
How does our obsession with productivity affect our happiness and fulfillment?
Our obsession with productivity can lead to a sense of emptiness, as we often find ourselves chasing one goal after another without ever feeling truly satisfied. This cycle can make life feel like a checklist of obligations rather than a meaningful journey. Constantly focusing on future achievements prevents us from appreciating the present moment and diminishes our overall happiness.
What does it mean to value time as a form of self-care?
Valuing time as a form of self-care means being intentional about how we spend our most limited resource. It involves prioritizing activities and commitments that align with our well-being and personal growth while minimizing tasks that drain us or serve no meaningful purpose. By treating time as precious, we can focus on experiences and relationships that bring joy and fulfillment, rather than constantly chasing productivity.
Is it bad to be bored sometimes?
No, boredom can be beneficial. It gives us the space to think, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves. In the absence of distractions, we can explore our true desires, creativity, and emotions. Boredom can act as a catalyst for self-discovery and foster the ability to find joy in simple, meaningful moments.
How can we break free from the cycle of constant busyness?
Breaking free from constant busyness starts with self-awareness. Begin by evaluating your daily activities and identifying what truly brings value to your life. Set boundaries for work and personal time, and learn to say “no” to commitments that don’t align with your well-being. Additionally, practice mindfulness or meditation to help cultivate a sense of presence and focus on living in the moment.
Why do we often prioritize future success over present well-being?
We prioritize future success because of societal norms and the belief that we must constantly strive for a “better” life. The culture of achievement teaches us that our value is tied to accomplishments and material wealth. This mindset makes it difficult to slow down and appreciate the present, as we’re conditioned to believe that happiness lies in future success rather than current experiences.
What are the consequences of living solely for work or future goals?
Living solely for work or future goals can lead to burnout, emotional distress, and a sense of regret. When we focus exclusively on achieving external benchmarks, we may neglect our personal growth, relationships, and mental health. As a result, life can feel like an endless loop of obligations with little room for true joy, spontaneity, or self-exploration.
Why do people struggle to define who they are outside of their job titles?
Many people struggle to define themselves outside of their job titles because society often equates one’s worth with their professional achievements. From a young age, we’re taught to focus on career success as a primary identity. Over time, this focus overshadows other aspects of our personality, passions, and values, making it difficult to answer the question, “Who are you?” without referring to our work.
How can embracing the present help us lead a more fulfilling life?
Embracing the present helps us become more aware of our surroundings, emotions, and experiences, allowing us to appreciate life’s small pleasures. By focusing on the “now,” we break free from the endless cycle of chasing future goals. This presence fosters a deeper connection with ourselves and others, leading to a more balanced, authentic, and fulfilling life.
Why do people work towards building a false sense of security for the future?
People work towards building a false sense of security because of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. We seek to accumulate wealth, status, or material possessions in the hope that they will protect us from future hardships. However, this constant striving often distracts us from the realities of the present and can lead to anxiety when the future does not unfold as planned.
What does “living life for a made-up entity” mean?
“Living life for a made-up entity” refers to dedicating our time and energy to pursuits that benefit abstract concepts like companies, social expectations, or societal norms, rather than our own happiness or personal growth. This often involves prioritizing work, career, or status over activities and relationships that bring true meaning to our lives. In doing so, we may end up living a life that aligns with external demands rather than our inner desires.
How can we find our true selves amidst the noise of everyday life?
Finding our true selves requires intentional introspection and a willingness to explore who we are beyond societal roles or job titles. Practices like meditation, journaling, and spending time in solitude can help uncover our deeper values, passions, and desires. It also involves questioning the “shoulds” that dictate our lives and making conscious choices based on what truly aligns with our authentic selves.
How can adopting the mindset of living every day as if it were our last change our lives?
Adopting the mindset of living every day as if it were our last can drastically shift our priorities. We might focus less on accumulating wealth or status and more on experiences, relationships, and self-expression. This perspective encourages us to live with intentional activities that bring joy and let go of obligations that don’t serve our well-being. By embracing the present, we can break free from the need for constant productivity and start truly experiencing life.