The Case Against Busyness
"Busyness is not a virtue, and it is not the same as productivity. You can be busy all day and not accomplish anything."
~ Unknown
Let's talk about being "busy".
More accurately, I'd like to make the case against describing yourself as busy. You might think that the words you use to describe your schedule are just semantics, but I want to share my experience with how language can impact my embodiment and ability to engage with what's going on around me.
When I’m “busy”, everything speeds up and it gets hard to focus.
Describing Yourself as "Busy" Isn't Helping
There isn't a lot of white space in my diary at the moment (probably far less than is good for me, but that's a topic for another day). I notice when I start to describe myself as busy, everything in my system starts to speed up. It's like frenetic energy starts to build up inside me, and everything seems to start moving faster. When I become aware of all the time I don't have for other things, I tense up. This, in turn, leaves me with even less space to deal with what's happening in the world around me.
Being "busy" makes it even harder to cope with the demands.
How Language Affects the Way We Perceive Reality and the Options We See
That's why I believe that the language we use is so important. I believe that the words we choose to describe our experiences can influence how we feel and react to them. Our bodies and minds are intricately connected, and the language we use can affect the way we perceive reality and the options we see. While the language we use may not necessarily alter reality, it can certainly shape our experience of it.
That's why I think it's important to find alternative language around "busyness".
The Subtle Shift in Language from "Busy" to "Full"
One alternative that I want to suggest is "full" instead of "busy". This subtle shift in language can make a big difference to me. It becomes less about me and my identity, and more about my schedule or life itself. There's automatically a bit of distance between me and the situation, which can help me stay grounded and centred.
“Full” reminds me that I ca take pleasure in my schedule (which has never looked this pretty!)
There's something about fullness that reminds me of the things I want in my life. I'm lucky enough to have filled my schedule at the moment with lots of things I love to do. Describing life as full reminds me that I actively participated in creating this schedule and I actually enjoy the things in it. This is not a period of time to grit my teeth and survive; these are all things I want and I would like to participate in the pleasure of doing them. When I say that my schedule is full, I feel a sense of fullness and satisfaction. I feel like my life is full of meaningful activities and pursuits.
And the truth is, there is still space there if I choose to see it and interact with it. Somehow, being "full" allows me to appreciate the empty slots more rather than simply rushing busily through the and onto the next thing. In contrast, when I say that I'm busy, it puts me on the back foot. It's like I'm fighting a battle against time, and that can feel overwhelming and stressful. But by shifting my language to "my schedule is full", I'm reminded that I still have agency and control over my life. I'm not a victim of circumstance, but rather an active participant in my own life.
Experiment with Different Language to Find What Works for You
Of course, "fullness" might not be the right word for you. I encourage you to experiment with different words and notice how it affects your embodied response. Is there where you can frame those times when there is a lot going on in a way that feels resourcing or supportive for you, so you can engage with your life in a creative and even enjoyable way? If you've found an alternative to "busy" that works for you, please share it in the comments below.