escaping my “busy trap”

About a month ago I posted (“shared”?) a link on Facebook to a NYTimes Opinion piece The ‘Busy’ Trap. Ironically, I’ve been too busy since to post about why I felt this article was worth reposting.

I’m busy, always busy. My daily to-do list is never, ever something that can actually be accomplished in a single day. And when something unplanned occurs (a girlie gets ill, I don’t feel well, my computer dies), I panic. I. don’t. have. time. for. this.

This is not a pleasant way to live. Meaningfully occupied sounds a lot more pleasante. Busy to the point where when something goes not according to plan results in two weeks of mad scramble to catch up is miserable. And when one, like me, has a choice in the level of busy-ness, it is ridiculous.

When I do get an idle moment, I somehow create new projects for myself; is it the “Protestant work ethic” that keeps me from allowing myself to do anything “fun”? And is that also what prevents me from easily giving up a project once I crete it?

Years later, I still maintain websites for groups of which I am no longer an active member. I “Carry On” like a good soldier. Each of these projects uses up bits of my time and energy. Each bit may be small, but this bits add up quickly into something much larger.

While I have temporarily abandoned my Happiness Project (yet another project I created for myself), in order to decrease my “busyness”, I believe that if I can reduce my “busyness” further, I will have a lower level of panic when something does not go according to plan. And more time to go to the pool with my girls. And more time to try new things.

While I want to avoid creating new never-ending projects for myself, I DO want to learn new things. I want to take a photography class. I want to learn more about Decatur and work on meeting people. I need to have the time to visit with friends, old and new. And this requires a lowered level of busy-ness.

There is a difference between “busy-ness” and a balance between idle time and meaningful activities. I’d love to move out of the first and into the latter. Slowly but surely, I’m figuring out how to reduce my busyness and replace it with more meaningful activities. I have decided that I will not check email, facebook, twitter as often. I will put some of my less interesting projects on a back burner. I will go swimming with the girls. I will take classes that I’m interested in. Even if it comes to putting this blog and my twelve others on hold for the time being.

email can wait