The Culture of Busy

Busy has been sold to us as a status symbol. Busy means important, high status, it means ‘I am worth.’ I was chatting to a friend the other day and asked him how is work? Busy, he replied with a little smile. He looked knackered, with an unhealthy white complexion of someone who never sees the sun. A very respectable legal counsellor for an insurance company.
The culture of busy is rewarded by society. Celebrities and billionaires looking busy, rich people appearing to toil all the time. Work hard and play hard means ten hours a day, five days a week, eleven months a year in the office and commuting to and from work. Shopping, entertainment and stimulants after work, holidays, regularly checking work emails and of course, earn and spend. Must be fun? It can be, if you are thriving in what you do and enjoy what you buy.
It seems the utopian idea of of technology creating a rich world with more meaningful free time has evaporated. Reports online suggest that the average workweek is not the anticipated 35 or 40 hours but a more demanding 46.7 hours. Quite a shift from the ideal scenario.
I went to a birthday party and met Sally, a trader at a top investment bank in her late 30s. She had a panic attack on a plane back to London a while ago. It was so embarrassing, she said with that little smile again, they had to open the doors and take me back to the terminal! Everyone seems to be so proud to work hard, even to the point of experiencing acute anxiety for it. She’s on Xanax and obviously high status with the pressures that come with it. “How is the market,” I asked. “Terrible, terrible, the sovereign fund so and so and pension fund X led the sell-off, oil money first, then the others followed. Uh, OK. So, how’s work these days?” “Busy.” Of course it is! And how’s your thyroid, I wanted to ask. But off she went to have a quick cigarette.
Even my friend Jasmine, a part-time naturopath with a five year old at school is busy. When we chat that’s what she starts the conversation with, or ends it with. Busy housewives, busy teenagers on the bus messaging, whatsapping, instagramming, watching, and doing.
What if, for some reason, you find immense joy in savouring slow food, indulging in a leisurely bath, and relishing unhurried cuddles? The model to follow is the functionally anxious, hence the proud little smile of those immersed in productive busyness. After all, everyone needs a purpose.
Let’s think about the reasons behind our constant running. Is your lifestyle truly fulfilling your needs? While some individuals thrive in such a fast-paced environment and derive satisfaction, it's crucial to assess whether this holds true for you. Many are caught up in the frenzy just because it’s the conventional thing to do, or because it just happened to them. The mind gets addicted to the busyness, and the body is running on cortisol and can’t relax, perpetually triggering a fight or flight response. If your current lifestyle isn't providing the desired fulfillment, it might be worth reconsidering and making necessary adjustments. Kudos to those who genuinely find joy and fulfillment in the hustle. Breaking free from this cycle requires a conscious effort to restore balance and cultivate moments of calm and rest.

I suppose the trade off in seeking to break free from the rat race lies in learning to manage the guilt associated with not constantly engaging in tasks, running, or working. In a society that values constant activity, even being labelled as lazy is considered the ultimate insult.
How to escape the daily grind then? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as everyone's situation is different. You’ve got bills to pay and can’t quit your job tomorrow. As a starting point, consider reducing exposure to mind-numbing TV, low quality media and Hollywood movies. Disconnect from the Internet for a week or limit social media, such as checking Facebook to once a day.
Move away from compulsive spending, freeing yourself gradually from unnecessary shopping habits and high bills. Transition towards activities that carry higher meaning but come with lower costs, reconnect with nature by going on walks, learn meditation, cook dinner at home for friends. Having a partner can be especially beneficial on this journey. And, of course, consider incorporating yoga or exercise into your routine for both physical and mental well-being.
The mind gets addicted to the busyness, and the body is running on cortisol and can’t relax, perpetually triggering a fight or flight response. If your current lifestyle isn't providing the desired fulfillment, it might be worth reconsidering and making necessary adjustments. Kudos to those who genuinely find joy and fulfillment in the hustle.