Life Is Too Short to Be So Busy

Not working evenings and weekends is part of what balance looks like for me because I like to be in rhythm with my husband and kids.

This boundary also gives me the space to recharge from the week, and truly enjoy my personal time—without any guilt about not working.

There are exceptions, but they’re rare. Even with flexibility in my business, Friday marks a clear end to my workweek.

And as much as I love what I do, I really enjoy the weekend and this space!

The thing is, it can be much harder to stick to your boundaries and feel balanced when you’re caught in a constant state of busyness.

We tend to wear our “busy badge” so proudly, don’t we?

When you have a lot on your plate. Things are busy at work. And at home. You push yourself, have high standards, and feel as though you have something to prove.

Somehow, you’re juggling all the balls (but silently worrying you’ll drop one . . . or more).

You might also feel as if success equals how many hours you’re putting in, or how many activities you have your kids in, or simply how busy you are.

Anytime someone asks you how you’re doing (or you ask someone else), the words “I’m busy” come out of your mouth. I get it.

The badge of busyness is subtle yet pervasive. This badge isn’t tangible; you won’t find it pinned to a shirt, but its presence is unmistakably felt.

It symbolizes a set of societal expectations in a world where our worth and success are measured by how busy our schedules are.

A world where being constantly engaged in work, family responsibilities, and social commitments isn’t just the norm—it’s glorified.

For women, this badge can take on additional layers. It’s not just about being busy; it’s about effortlessly juggling multiple roles, each with its own set of demands and expectations (many of which we put on ourselves).

We want to be the best leaders, moms, partners, and friends. Not only do we tend to be the primary caregivers and take on more responsibilities, but we also carry much more of the mental load.

The guilt we feel when we “can’t handle it all” or the fear of failure or that we’ll make a mistake is high.

The badge of busyness is a testament to our ability to handle it all and take on so much—even at the expense of our own well-being and sense of balance.

It’s important to note that what “too busy” looks like will be different for everyone.

This isn’t about right or wrong but about being self-aware enough to notice whether the way you operate is serving you and your relationships . . . or not.

In a world that often equates busyness with importance, it’s crucial to pause and ask yourself:

• Is this really how I want to live my life?

• Do I truly enjoy these activities and the pace?

• What is the busyness costing me?

There are many other badges that don’t serve us and that we wear without meaning to. The burnout badge. The working-late badge. The pretending-to-be-okay badge. The working-on-vacation badge.

Any badge that doesn’t align with who you want to be or how you want to feel is NOT a badge to be striving for.

When you’re busy being busy, you’re missing out on the small joys and opportunities of each day.

You’re less focused and productive, and spending way too much time and energy on what doesn’t really matter.

You’re making things harder than they need to be. And you have more to stress out about.

You’re also likely chipping away at your relationships—because the busier we are, the less present we are.

Stepping out of the busyness, with more rest and downtime, is essential if you want to be truly effective and enjoy your life more fully.

So, let’s redefine what success looks like—not by how full our calendars are, but by how fulfilling and balanced our lives feel. Life is too short to be so darn busy.

Remember, you deserve some rest and downtime, too.

What’s next? Get your copy of Your Balanced and Bold Life: Work Less, Live More, and Be Your Best, available on Amazon and other major online retailers, or visit www.staceyolson.ca/book.

This book will guide you to be happier, balanced, and successful—whatever that looks like for YOU!