The Addiction of Being Busy

Have you ever reflected on the fact that our lives seem to get busier and busier each year?

Why do we feel this need to fill any empty space with something? If someone asked you to just sit and do nothing – what thoughts would pop into your head?

“That would be lazy! I have no idea how to do nothing. I have so many things to do today! What do I do when I do nothing?” And if you tried to do nothing, would you be itching to get up and go and do something? Would all those to-do lists be churning in your head?

We often view alcohol, drugs, or smoking as addictions, yet I sometimes wonder if our need to be busy is also an addiction.

I am not suggesting we give up our day jobs and our roles as friends, parents, partners and so forth, in order to do nothing all day long. I am asking why we feel we don’t have any time in the day to just be with ourselves; even if it means just five minutes of quiet time each day.

Why do we find it so difficulty to sit and just be with ourselves? Why do we feel guilty if we chose to do nothing? Or is it because when we do nothing, all our thoughts and feelings surface and we have no idea what to do with them.

Are we choosing to avoid those thoughts and feelings, as they are too overwhelming? And the way to do so is by keeping busy. It is possible that being busy is a way to numb our feelings, particularly the painful ones.

Thoughts and feelings are a form of energy too, yet we avoid them or suppress them. Eventually they need to find a way out. Will their outlet be through expression, through becoming aware of them or through your body?

Is our addiction of being busy also causing stress and therefore illness? Being busy might just be like any other addiction.

The question I will leave you with is why do you feel the need to be busy all the time?

Or for those who are able to find time to just be with themselves – what is the trick to doing this without guilt or the pressure to do something?

Please share this blog with others who may benefit.

It is through shared awareness that we grow individually and as a whole.

With Love,

Avdeep