“Busy is just a euphemism for being so focused on what you don’t have that you never notice what you do. It’s a defense mechanism. Because if you stop hustling—if you pause—you start wondering why you ever thought you wanted all those things.” ― Jodi Picoult, Wish You Were Here

Do you use the word busy as A defense mechanism? Not being busy brings up so many feelings that it’s easier to keep being busy. Keeping up with our neighbors. Doing all the things because that’s what we think we should be doing. And we’re scared if we stop we’ll realize that this isn’t the life we want at all.

I was talking with several parents about all the after-school activities they were doing. Someone said she does all the activities because everyone else in her neighborhood does too. What if she skipped out on soccer and her kids missed out on spending time with the other kids on the block?

And while I can understand that mentality, what if other parents are doing the same thing? What if out of five families on the block, only 2 enjoy soccer? And the others are doing it because they feel that’s the only way for their kids to have friends or spend time with others?

What if one of them stopped for a season? Chose a different activity? Or let the kids ride their bikes instead of attending a structured activity?

Jumping off the hamster wheel can be scary.

It’s easy to fall into this pattern of doing what we’ve always done. Of taking on the activities of those around us. Believing that by cultivating our kid’s skills they will grow up to be successful adults.

And we don’t spend much time thinking about it because we feel we don’t have the luxury of that time.

Our society has us constantly striving for the next best thing. We rarely take the time to evaluate what we’re doing and if it’s what we really want.

Let’s stop being busy as a defense mechanism.

My challenge for you this week is to take even a few minutes and evaluate all the activities in your life.

• Think about how you want to be living your life. What do you want your days to look like? What memories do you want to have when you look back on your kids’ childhoods?
• Write down all the activities you and your family are doing (outside of school and work).
• Do these activities fit within what you want your life to look like?
  • If yes, great!
  • If not, how can you let them go?

By taking the time to evaluate the activities in your life, you will likely find something you can let go of. You’ll get some time back in your schedule to focus on something you truly want to be doing.

You’ll find that there isn’t clutter in every crevice of your day!

And your future self will thank you!

P.S. Ready to take this further? Schedule a Get on Track call.