Why Do We Valorize Busyness?
Our level of busyness ≠ our worth.
Dear Friends,
It is common for us to respond to a casual “How are you?” from a friend or acquaintance with a sigh, a smile, and the words: “Fine. So busy!”
Why?
We are busy, many of us. That’s part of it.
But beyond just talking about it in passing (for which there are many reasons), why do we highlight and value being busy in our culture more broadly? Why do we think of being busy as an indication of someone being productive, successful, and valuable?
I argue that our utilitarian culture ties the value of human individuals to their busyness. Yet the costs of such valorization of frenetic activity are high.
Read my essay on busyness today at Public Discourse:
“Why Do We Valorize Busyness?”
Does this ring true to you?
What is your own relationship with busyness?
How do you use busyness, and how to you perceive it?
Have a great day!
I think it was Tsh Oxenreider who wrote in a recent post that her plate was very full, and she liked to say "full" instead of busy. I think perhaps even the imagery there helps communicate something different. A full plate is abundance, perhaps near spilling over, but it somehow feels less like a frantic thing. Busy makes me think of hamster wheels, and busy work. I am guilty of saying, "busy" often, but I've been trying to be more specific. Busy, tired and fine. Quite the trio. But then there's the reality that there are times when answering the question, "how are you?" honestly is just not what either party is looking for! Ha!
I can recall times where as a stay at home mom when asked how I was doing I didn't say busy, and felt distinctly judged and looked down on. I feel like just from the stay at home mom place, we respond with "busy" often just because we already feel judged and disregarded by most people. I know that so many stay at home moms take on ridiculous amounts of busy work at school, at their kids activities, etc, in part because I think they feel insecure if their hours are not completely occupied somehow. Because, exactly like you say, they are so used to being a commodity and if they aren't at least seen as doing a lot then are they valuable? But I completely agree with your article, I think it really is an engrained attitude that takes a lot to overcome. I think of families of friends I grew up with who thought if they spent any time at home on the weekend they were doing something wrong, let alone the week days when full of full-time work, school, and extra curriculars. People are deeply uncomfortable with not being busy, with being at home, with not being constantly entertained. It really ripples out to every part of life.