Productivity, Human Needs and Why Tidying is a Legitimate Response to a Crisis
Does anyone else feel like they “should” be being productive during lockdown? Do you think that somehow you should be filling the time with “worthy” activities like clearing out the spare room, repainting the kitchen, launching a new product or side-hustle, becoming fluent in French, or running a marathon?
You’re not alone.
The sight of Facebook memes saying Isaac Newton invented calculus and William Shakespeare wrote "King Lear" while in quarantine made my stomach churn. I’ve had days during the lockdown that getting out of bed felt like an achievement - and I’m not being asked to be a parent-cum-school teacher-meets-business owner etc like some of my friends and clients.
IT’S OKAY.
It’s okay to have those days when getting dressed feels like summiting Everest (although, seriously, if this is a regular experience for you then please do not suffer alone - there is help out there if you are struggling with your mental health during all this). And it’s okay to have days where you feel like you could leap tall buildings in a single bound. And everything in between.
If you’re feeling adrift in all this, there is a reason. As human being, we have needs - I know, newsflash. And our needs are not all equal.
Right now, many of us are struggling to get our basic needs met. It’s harder to get food or even toilet paper, let alone hugs and connection with friends and family. There is a global sense of anxiety and uncertainty that makes it really difficult to feel safe and secure all the time.
The thing with this hierarchy of needs is that we need to get the foundations right before we can start to aspire to self-actualisation and all that cool, creative, “productive” stuff. I hate to break it to you but kicking ass and being your best self is nigh on impossible when your most basic needs aren’t being fully met.
You aren’t physiologically or psychologically built to live your “best life” right now. Your only job is to live “a life” right now, something that we are all too aware is being denied to many.
And I want to destroy any pressure you might be feeling to really make every day count.
Every day you are here counts. Every breath you take counts. You don’t have to do anything to be worthy of being.
Cut yourself ALL THE SLACK. Focus on the bottom levels. Are you occasionally eating a vegetable? Are you getting some sunshine and fresh air? Getting some semblance of sleep? If you’re feeling the urge to clean or tidy, follow it - our immediate physical environment impacts on our sense of security and safety so rearranging the kitchen shelves or the bookcases (as I have now done three times in seven weeks) is a totally legit way of bringing some order to the chaos we’re experiencing.
From there, nurture your connections. I know a Zoom call isn’t as good as being with people - I am so desperate for a cuddle right now, I’m almost crawling out of my skin, and I have the blessing of living with my partner. But it really can make a difference.
This is a time to focus on what works for you and to keep experimenting. After weeks of 6am alarms, I decided to try not having an alarm this week and I hated it; turns out, I do much better getting up early, having my spacious morning routine and getting on with the day. But that’s me. Start with what helps you feel nourished and secure and build from there.
Finally, if you can’t do anything else extra gentle with yourself. These are extraordinary times. We’ll get through this. And right now, getting through is absolutely enough.