Filling Time vs Fulfilling Time
“The cult of busy” (a phrase coined by John Hopkins researchers) is woven into our everyday lives. We are constantly under pressure to be productive, multitask, and fill every moment of our day with activities. Being busy has, for many, become a status symbol, and wearing our busyness a sort of badge of honor. Unfortunately, this way of being doesn’t automatically go away when we retire
Many people in retirement double down on busy, wanting to appear just as productive, relevant, or satisfied post-career.
I see this in some of my clients who are unaware of how this constant state of busyness takes a toll on mental and physical health and, among other things, can lead to:
· chronic stress, which has far-reaching health implications
· burnout which degrades our quality of life
· social isolation and a lack of meaningful connections
While the busyness factor has been ingrained in most of us since childhood, it can be recognized and reversed. Some simple steps that can help:
✔ Mindset: see the problem and shift from valuing the number of activities and commitments we’re choosing to be engaged in, to the quality of how we’re spending our time
✔ Self-care: incorporate daily self-care practices (taking breaks, exercising, meditating, getting into nature), which allows us to slow the pace down so we can stay present and aware of how we’re choosing to spend our time
✔ Meaningful connections: prioritize whom we’re spending time with, so we build and nurture relationships that are important to us
The cult of busy continues to be a harmful trend that can have a detrimental effect on the quality of our lives. By being mindful and intentional about how we choose to spend our time, we can combat the adverse effects of busyness and lead more fulfilling lives.
Take a moment and consider: What is on your to-do list today that is time-filling but not fulfilling? What’s holding you back from letting it go? Life is precious. Taking the time to reflect on time and how you’re spending it will support you in making the most of retirement and this exciting next chapter.
Conflux Retirement Coaching is about merging the best of who you are with who you want to be. Let’s connect and explore what will be meaningful and fulfilling for you in your retirement life chapter.
