One lesson we can all learn by travelling to other countries is that Americans are awfully busy. I have lived in southeast Asia, China, France and Italy, and can find no other group of people who feel the need to be constantly busy. My favorite country was Italy. They seem to have such a generous sense of time compared to us, and an ability to enjoy the process of living without guilt over stopping to enjoy each moment.
How did we ever get so busy and guilty about simply relaxing?
I really don’t know how we got so driven as a culture, but I do have a few tips on how to give yourself a break from all of that internalized pressure: Take days off from your ‘normal’ life where you can truly do whatever YOU want to do. No rules. No guilt. Be lazy. Watch trashy TV. Eat mac and cheese. No food shaming either. Try really hard not to judge yourself or others for just a few hours. Celebrate having the time to just be yourself!
Let your mind wonder on a regular basis. Free thought is where all creativity comes from. How could your life be better? Free your mind to consider ALL of your options. What barriers would you need to bridge in your own mind to have a much better life?
What rules do you need to get rid of right now?
For some reason, aging can be quite the catalyst in freeing your mind. Being perfectly clear on the fact that your years are numbered can clear your head! What do you want to do before you die? Stop all the daily busyness long enough to do those things now!
Stepping out of the busyness, stopping our endless pursuit of getting somewhere else, is perhaps the most beautiful offering we can make to our spirit. — TARA BRACH
Adventures of the NEW Old Farts 
I totally agree Laura Lee. Some people wear ‘busyness’ like a badge of honour. We are only busy because we accept it. We have the control of what we do and when but most of us feel guilty taking time out. Thanks for the reminder and have a great week. xx
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Truth! When I hear people my age talk about how busy they are I just inwardly roll my eyes. I really think some people are afraid to not be busy and over-schedule themselves. I know of a retired guy who schedules his day by the hour. He includes reading time but again I inwardly eye roll!
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Yep Haralee, something tells me that guy is going to have a hard time getting old and dying… He’ll probably have to schedule it all in somehow!
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Thank you. I love the reminders you offer us to take time out, and your recognition of how culturally-driven all the need-to-be-busy is. “Doing nothing” is often, for me, doing something very important to do with resting, reconnecting, recharging. I think and write about this a lot too!
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I want to play Devil’s Advocate for just a minute. While I agree with everything you’ve said, I also think that there’a a drive to be busy that comes from the realization of what it is you finally want to do and the fact that there are less years ahead in which to do it. That’s where I find myself these days. But it’s the kind of busy that makes me feel excited and fulfilled in a way I never was when I worked for someone else. Having said that, I’m all for a break with absolutely no agenda whatsoever!
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Good for you Shelley! You have finally found your true passion! Now go for it!
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