As soon as the words slipped from my lips, I immediately wished I could take them back. It all started with a casual inquiry from a friend—”How’s it going?”—but it quickly escalated into a tiresome display of subtle bragging.
“I’m doing well,” I replied. “But man, are we busy! Like, really busy.” Then came the avalanche of details: work deadlines, kids’ sports schedules, household tasks, social gatherings, and committee obligations. I even added a dramatic sigh about my lack of sleep and how drained I felt.
My friend nodded along, but didn’t say a word. And just like that, I had triumphed in the Busy Championship.
In today’s world, being busy has morphed into a status symbol. Busy is celebrated, busy is revered. But why?
It seems that busyness has become a badge of honor. We list our endless commitments, positioning ourselves as martyrs overwhelmed by responsibilities that overshadow everyone else’s. “Oh, you think you’re busy?” we say. “At least you don’t have to juggle ballet, soccer, swimming, and travel baseball along with work and PTA meetings!” The list goes on and on.
Yet, as I caught myself talking about how busy I was, I realized how deep I had fallen into the trap of busyness bragging. And I wanted out.
Being busy is not something to be proud of. It’s not a measure of worth. It’s not a competition.
Don’t get me wrong—I value living life to the fullest. We get only one shot at this existence, so why not make the most of it? If you thrive on being busy, that’s fantastic. But when did we start treating busyness like a contest? When did we decide that being overwhelmed was synonymous with success?
We are all busy. Sometimes it’s by our own choice, and other times it’s simply the reality of life. Whether it’s the demands of parenting, juggling multiple jobs, or volunteering, we all have our reasons. But here’s the kicker: I’m not advocating for minimalism or suggesting we slow down. Instead, I propose we stop talking about how busy we are all the time. Yes, we’re busy. And it’s time to cease turning it into a competition.
Many of us are working long hours, hustling to make ends meet. We’re sending emails to our kids’ teachers while in the middle of conference calls and skipping meals to catch our children’s games. We rush to catch the train just to have dinner with our families, only to log back onto our computers after tucking the kids in.
Others are busy at home—changing diapers, preparing snacks, and wiping away tears. We’re mediating disputes over toys and trying to help with math homework that feels like rocket science.
And let’s not forget the volunteers among us, dedicating time to plan fundraisers, serve meals, or advocate for community change.
As for the multitaskers? We’re answering emails while breastfeeding and organizing events during dance class. We’re folding laundry while helping children read, and cooking dinner while catching up with family.
And yes, we’re also prioritizing self-care, exercising, and spending time with friends. We’re all busy in our own ways.
However, I believe this relentless competition over who is busier is leading us to madness. So, I’m stepping back from the “busy but good” mantra when asked how I’m doing. No more lists of obligations and responsibilities. I’m retiring from this exhausting race.
After all, I’m simply too busy to compete.
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Summary
In a world where being busy is often celebrated, it’s time to reconsider the competition over who is the busiest. Instead of wearing our busyness like a badge of honor, let’s acknowledge that we are all managing our own challenges. The relentless bragging about our schedules is exhausting and unnecessary. Let’s stop the contest, focus on what truly matters, and recognize that we are all navigating our own busy lives.
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