Finding Balance Amid the Glorification of Busyness

​Finding Balance Amid the Glorification of Busyness

Written By Erin Mitchell, MSW, LCSW

Have you ever noticed how frequently our responses to the question “how have you been” involve variations of “staying busy”? What about hearing someone talk through a large list of things they currently have going on in their life? For many of us, our reactions involve shock (that one person could manage all of those items) and admiration. We have learned to admire those who don’t seem to have a minute to themselves. This is exactly what is meant by “glorification of busyness.”

As a society, we have been encouraged to be active participants in every aspect of our lives. We are to work hard and excel in our chosen field or profession, be fully present and active in our families, train and care for our pets in their every need, eat healthy, exercise, have a spotless home, on and on it goes. The reality of this encouragement is that it is simply not possible. No one person can accomplish all of these feats without significant sacrifice in one or more other areas. Being stretched in so many different directions at once can result in problems one way or another.

With these impossible standards before us, how do you go about achieving any form of balance?  How do you decide what to keep and what to decrease or decline completely?  

Consider some or all of these questions, they may help you narrow it down:

What is important to you?
Does it align with your personal values? (I recommend this worksheet for clarifying your values)
What is a current priority and why?
Are you the only one who can take care of this?
Does this need to happen right now or can it wait?
If this is something you have enjoyed in the past, is that still the case?
When you close your eyes and think of the best possible scenario, what does balance look like for you (and your family)?

This is not an easy process to do, but it can be very worthwhile to help you modify some of your expectations for yourself and others.

​If you are interested in counseling, call OakHeart at 630-570-0050 or 779-201-6440 or email us at [email protected]. We have counselors, psychologists, and social workers available to help you at one of our locations in North Aurora, IL, Sycamore, IL, and/or via Telehealth Online Therapy Services serving Kane County, DeKalb County, Dupage County, and beyond.