Why slowing down might actually save your sanity (and your screen time)
If you’ve ever opened your calendar and felt personally attacked, congratulations—you’re probably “busy.” Not productive. Not fulfilled. Just… busy. Like a hamster on a wheel, except the hamster has a Fitbit, a Google Calendar, and an occasional existential crisis at 2 a.m.
Welcome to modern life.
But what if “being busy” is actually a scam? What if doing less—strategically, intentionally, guilt-free—is the new power move? Today we’re diving into the subtle art of not being busy, and trust me, it’s going to feel like a warm hug from your future, less-stressed self.
Why We’re All Addicted to Being Busy
Somewhere between school, work, and the “grindset” memes on Instagram, we accidentally turned busyness into a personality trait. If someone asks how we’re doing, we answer:
“Good! Just busy.”
Translation: I have no idea what I’m doing, but my calendar looks full, so I must be important.
The truth? Being busy is often just being distracted. We fill every gap with notifications, meetings, errands, chores, and scrolling because we don’t want to feel like we’re not doing enough.
Spoiler: doing enough has nothing to do with doing everything.
The Myth of Productivity (Thanks, Hustle Culture)
Hustle culture sold us a dream: if you work harder, do more, sleep less, and drink coffee that smells like burnt anxiety, you’ll “make it.”
But here’s the plot twist:
You don’t get more meaningful results by stuffing your life like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Real productivity isn’t about maximizing time—
It’s about maximizing life.
The Magic of Strategic Under-Scheduling
So let’s talk about the actual subtle art here.
It’s not about giving up on your goals and becoming a human houseplant (although honestly, plants look peaceful). It’s about creating intentional space so your brain can breathe, think, and create something meaningful.
Here’s the magic formula:
1. Schedule Blank Space
Yes, literally schedule… nothing.
- 20 minutes after lunch
- 45 minutes between Zoom meetings
- Sunday morning with zero plans
This isn’t laziness. It’s bandwidth.
The same way your phone freaks out when storage is full, your brain needs free space, too.
2. Replace “I should” with “I choose.”
“I should go to that event.”
“I should answer that email.”
“I should start a side hustle and learn Mandarin.”
No.
Ask yourself: Do I choose to do this?
If the answer is “meh,” it’s a no.
3. Make Your To-Do List 50% Smaller
Then watch your stress drop by 80%.
Write everything down.
Now cross out half of it.
Bold of you? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.
Real Talk: What Not Being Busy Looks Like
Here’s what this actually looks like in real life:
✓ Saying no without writing a 3-paragraph explanation
You don’t need a tragic backstory to decline a plan.
“No, I won’t make it—but have fun!”
Done.
✓ Logging off even when you could “handle one more thing”
If your brain feels like a browser with 97 open tabs, close some.
✓ Doing one thing at a time
Not three. Not seven.
Just one.
Your nervous system will literally send you a thank-you note.
✓ Doing stuff that isn’t productive at all
A walk.
A nap.
Staring at the ceiling like a medieval philosopher.
This is not wasted time—it’s processing time.
But Won’t People Judge Me?
Yes.
Mostly the people who are also exhausted and secretly wish they could slow down too.
But here’s the truth:
Living at a sustainable pace is the ultimate flex.
Anyone can be busy.
Not everyone can be intentional.
My Personal “Not Busy” Story
A few months ago, I realized I was refilling my coffee mug purely to survive my calendar. I was spending my days bouncing between tasks like a caffeinated pinball.
So I deleted 30% of my meetings.
I made “Do Nothing Time” a real calendar event.
I started taking a walk every morning before touching my phone.
The result?
My stress dropped.
My creativity came back.
I actually started enjoying… Mondays?
Wild.
How to Start Today (In Under 5 Minutes)
Here’s your starter pack:
- Delete one thing from your to-do list today.
- Ignore one non-urgent message until tomorrow.
- Do one thing slowly on purpose—your coffee, your walk, your shower.
- Spend 10 minutes not multitasking (yes, this includes not scrolling).
Small steps = big peace.
The Final Truth
Being busy isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a distraction from the life you actually want to live.
The real flex for millennials and Gen Z?
Choosing a life that feels good, not just looks full.
So go ahead.
Slow down.
Do less.
Live more.
Your future self will thank you—and probably be much, much less caffeinated.
