I saw this image this morning and knew immediately I wanted to dive further into this topic.

Our nanny started earlier this week, so I have had the time to play catch-up with a lot of other people.

And a common word that I have heard is "man I am so busy."

To which I ALWAYS respond...

I hope you mean PRODUCTIVE.

It happens so frequently that it caused my curious brain to analyze WHY.

My conclusion?

We are conditioned to become busy bees from the moment we enter the schooling system.

Depending on the grade, this is how my days of school looked like...

-Wake-up at 6/630

-Shove some processed bullshit food in my mouth

-Rush to the bus stop at 645-730 in the morning

-Pretend like I was awake enough to pay attention in class before 8am

-Keep pretending to pay attention through like 8 different classes or subjects within a school day until 2-3pm

-Get an hour or two to do whatever

-Rush off to sports or whatever else was on the agenda

-Rush to cram any leftover school work before I go to bed

-Repeat the next day

^^^ A hamster wheel if I ever fucking saw one.

Thing is, I am the majority.

Most kids probably experienced a similar situation, and many of them probably had less supportive parents than I did.

Aka even more chaotic and "busy" for them.

So is it surprising that these busy kids became busy adults?!?

NOPE.

The busier we were as kids, the more sports and clubs, and activities we did...

It was considered a badge of honor that a kid could handle it all and get the good grades, and apply to the colleges, and have the part-time job on the side.

As adults, the "busyness" just gets filled with other types of "responsibilities" that many of us keep justifying as necessary.

THE BUS STOPS HERE!!!

From now on, if you ever catch yourself using the word busy, ask yourself why you are doing so?

Because to me, when I am "busy," I make careless decisions, I feel frustrated and overwhelmed, I am not the best husband, friend, or family member, I don't like myself.

So why the fuck would I want to be busy if this ⬆️ is the case?

.

.

Being busy is not a badge of honor.

It is not a validation of your success.

It is a pitfall and a problem

A symptom that will turn into a disease if you allow it.

Fix it now while you have the opportunity to.

#thriveon

CJ

p.s. today Aiden is 14 weeks old, and I am so grateful he has gotten to spend so much time with his family and friends so quickly in his life. Little man is already learning how to fist bump his homies. I am so glad I have not been too "busy" to be present for him and witness it all.