Are You a Busyologist?

We are chronically busy. We are often tired.

I choose to be active and tend to over-extend myself. But as I get older, I also give myself permission to take breaks from busyness to rest, restore my soul, and be with friends. That is exactly what I’m going to do next week when my college courses are on spring break.

My friend and colleague Amy Roemer sent me this short article that is timely for me. I hope it is timely for you also.

Just as I turned off the TV the other night I heard someone introduced as a “busyologist.” What? I listened a moment more and realized he was a physiologist. Still, it caught my imagination.

So many of us can be described as busyologists.

We do things just to stay busy. We over-commit because we’re afraid of having nothing to do (or for whatever reasons). If we happen to find a free moment, we fill it with Facebook or Pinterest or Angry Birds, or simply searching the web for anything we can think of.

I think we take pride in telling others how busy we are. We are busyologists.

No one seems to care what you do, as long as you’re busy.

“Hi! Haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”

“Busy.”

“Wow! I’m impressed.”

Sounds silly when I put it into print, doesn’t it? Yet it’s so hard to get off the merry-go-round. If I take the time to sit and read for pleasure, I feel like I have to apologize for it. But no, I’m going to say it proudly, “I read a book today, just because I wanted to!” Are you impressed?

You know what? It feels good to relax. It energizes you when you slow down and rest. You will be healthier if you go take a walk. Your relationships can be strengthened when you make a day “screen free.” Why not spend 15 fewer minutes on Facebook and 15 more talking to your neighbor?

The busyness can wait.

And while you’re at it, think about why you’re always so busy. Are you simply filling up time? Uncertain what you’ll do if you find yourself? Scared you’ll fall asleep if you relax? Maybe you need to.

Go ahead, slow down. Stop trying to impress people with how busy you are, and find time to live life.

Royalty-free image shot by Ryan Smart and retrieved from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1152283