Why Being Busy Is Not An Excuse

It’s the phrase heard around the world, the harried response of many a well-meaning but frazzled worker, and one of the easiest things to say in our fast-paced world: “I’m busy!”

We get it; we’re busy too! Whether it be a job, school, family or a mix of all three, life is filled with responsibilities, and helping the cogs of life keep turning is something we have come to celebrate. Where we need to be careful, though, is to not let all that busyness overwhelm us by getting in the way of something fundamental to a spiritually healthy life: our connection with God.

If you find your schedule turning you into a whirlwind of stress, try these tips for calming the storm within:

Save Space for God

Actively choosing to connect with God is a great way to invite peace into our day. Doing so first thing in the morning leaves us with no excuse to say, “I have no time for that,” but any time of day can work. If prayer or scripture reading feels too overwhelming, try finding a small ritual, like getting out of bed on the same foot, which reminds us that we choose to walk through the day with God. Like a secret handshake, these small habits send a message to us, and to God, that He and She is welcome in our lives.

Chill Intentionally

When a busy schedule starts to stress us out, the temptation to plop down onto the couch for a few hours of mindless TV or Internet browsing is intense! As nice as it feels in the moment, these activities often don’t bring us the serenity we seek—one that replenishes our spirit and sense of purpose—so be sure to balance them with healthier choices such as journaling, spending time outside or connecting with loved ones.

Find the Big Picture in the Little Things

We all have heard the value of these two concepts, but how often do we fuse them together? When the stress of life leaves us feeling stuck, slowing down and focusing our attention on a small, beautiful detail around us—the flower growing in the crack of the sidewalk, or the dimples in our loved one’s cheeks—helps reconnect us with those big-picture ideas we hope (and often fail) to uphold through our busy-ness.

Know the Difference between Urgent and Important

These two words are often considered synonyms, but they hold very different meanings when used in managing our busy schedules. Important things are not always urgent. The rush to achieve a task by deadline can become more urgent than spending quality time with our family, for example; does that make it any more important? Try plugging your regularly scheduled activities into the grid below. Are important things being forgotten about in a sea of urgency?

Check the Why

It is important to make sure being busy is something we do out of need, and not out of pride or as an escape. Taking on lots of responsibilities and doing favors for everyone around us can make us feel important and relied upon, or it can be a mechanism for us to ignore things in life that we really need to face (with God at our side of course). All of these feelings can quickly turn into a disconnect between who we are and who we think we are. Letting go of things that don’t bring real value into our lives opens up space to introduce choices that promote a more spiritual lifestyle.

Think back to the last time you were really busy. Did you feel that you were living with God, or rather, that you didn’t have any time for God? Try some of our tips, and next time, see if you notice a difference. Then make sure to get back to us with tips of your own!