#299 – What can be hiding behind high productivity?

I learned a new term today: "high-functioning depression." It's the sort of depression that hides behind a highly productive, often successful, and always full life.

Listening to a psychiatrist discuss this ailment on a podcast this morning, I recognized the feeling in myself and thought about the so-called "burnout culture."

I thought about the many professionals we all know who work themselves to the bone because they don't feel worthy––or maybe even alive––when they don't.

About the many blogs and influencers who advocate for rest and recovery because they know so many people out there are unable to get off the hamster race.

And yet so many more are still pushing for productivity at all costs––brain hacks to do more, the work hard/play hard sort of culture where it's a sign of dedication to send work emails at 11:59 pm (I recently received one).

If we could just stay silent for a minute, we'd hear the rah-rah's of the Ghost of Exertion/Exhaustion, removing the metaphorical couches from our minds so we can't find a moment of rest.

Because the Ghost knows that, if we rested, we'd feel things––pain, sadness, fear––and that's what it wants to protect us from.

But when we don't leave room to feel the pain, sadness or fear that wants to be felt, we'll also be numb to joy, elatedness, or happiness.

What might be hiding behind your busyness?

Love,

Carolina