Have you ever read "The 'Busy' Trap?" If you haven't, please do; it'll take 5 minutes. My best friend's sister posted this on her Facebook a while ago and it really resonated with me. I think about this article every time I feel too busy.
Lately, I've had a bad case of the Busy Trap. I've been feeling "too busy" doing things that my brain tricks me into thinking will make me happy, when these self-imposed tasks actually kinda stress me out. I have a natural tendency to want to take care of the people around me. I think most people do. Where I find my annoying "busy" factor kick in is when I try and take care of the people and things around me that don't exactly matter. It makes me feel important. Which in turn, my brain thinks, should make me feel happy. There's a difference between wanting to do something important (spending time with your loved ones, making a difference in the world, providing for your family) and wanting to feel important (taking on tasks for recognition). Lately, instead of wanting to do something important, my actions have shown me that I just want to feel important. Do you ever feel like that?
"Busyness serves as a kind of existential reassurance, a hedge against emptiness; obviously your life cannot possibly be silly or trivial or meaningless if you are so busy, completely booked, in demand every hour of the day."
So, as a way to combat my bad case of the Busy Trap, I'm hiding out. Just like this author did. I'm hiding from saying "yes" to new responsibilities that I don't necessarily want to take on. Responsibilities that I would normally take on to make myself feel important. Instead, I'm going to focus on finding out what's actually important to me.
In the photos above, you can see the fun busyness that's been going on in my life!
Top left to right:
1. First day of selling beer at ACL.
2. ACL venue statue.
3. The last day of ACL. Robbie and I were exhausted!
4. Some pretty lilies Robbie got for me.
5. A hilarious dog at Progress Cafe.
6. Wine tasting with Robbie's parents!
7. Rainey Street bars with Lety and the gang.
8. One of many sewing projects covering the kitchen table.
I totally agree with this. I fall into the busy trap and find myself saying "oh I am busy, things are crazy, etc" when people ask how I am. But I should be eternally grateful because like that quote, my life is not empty!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt's so tough to not feel busy, especially when we take on TOO much. I know I do that a lot! And you're totally right- we should be grateful. :)
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