The Myth of Busyness: Why Slowing Down Isn’t Lazy—It’s Necessary
Let’s be honest—how many times have you responded to “How are you?” with:
“Busy. Just so busy.”
We’ve been taught to wear busyness like a badge of honor. Like the more we do, the more worthy we are. Like constantly running on empty somehow means we’re succeeding at life.
But what if that’s the biggest lie we’ve ever been sold?
I believed it for a long time. I bought into the idea that rest had to be earned. That slowing down meant I was falling behind. That doing more, being more, giving more—especially to everyone else—was the right thing to do.
Until my body and soul said, “Enough.”
💔 What Busyness Did to Me
For years, I kept going. Even when I was exhausted. Even when I was resentful. Even when I didn’t recognize myself anymore.
I was constantly giving—at work, at home, in my relationships—while ignoring the quiet whispers inside me that were begging for space, silence, and care.
Eventually, those whispers became a roar.
Burnout didn’t show up overnight. It crept in slowly. It looked like irritability. Numbness. Forgetfulness. Tears that came out of nowhere. A constant feeling that I couldn’t catch my breath, no matter how hard I tried.
🧠 The Truth About “Doing It All”
Here’s what I’ve come to realize:
Being busy isn’t the same as being fulfilled.
Doing more doesn’t mean you’re doing well.
And most importantly—you don’t need to earn your rest.
You are allowed to slow down.
You are allowed to say no.
You are allowed to need time for yourself—even if no one else understands it.
🌿 What Helped Me Begin Again
Healing didn’t happen in the hustle. It happened in the quiet.
When I started asking myself:
What do I need right now?
Who am I when I’m not performing for everyone else?
What would it look like to put my well-being first?
That’s when I began to breathe again.
That’s when I began to feel again.
And that’s when I stopped confusing burnout with success.
💛 If You’re Tired Too…
Let this be your permission slip to stop glorifying the grind.
You don’t need to fill every moment.
You don’t have to prove your worth through productivity.
You are already enough—even in rest. Even in stillness.
If you’re craving something different… this is your sign to choose it.
🖊️ Journal Prompt:
“When I let go of being busy, what would I have space to feel, to remember, or to reconnect with?”
With love and gentleness,
Kandy 💛
