America is a country obsessed with being busy. We spend every day of our lives with full schedules. We budget time to ensure that everything gets done and not a minute is wasted. We equate a full schedule with success and free time with laziness.
But, why?
In many countries, this is seen as absurd. There are multiple European countries whose work weeks’ average at about 27-30 hours. They receive more money per hour, so they clock in less time at the office. People in these countries think Americans work too much. And they’re right.
I cannot emphasize how many times I have told a friend that I’m taking a day off to relax and refocus and I receive hesitance in return. People scoff at the fact that I am not doing enough by some sort of arbitrary standard.
I have done that. During my junior year of college, I was attending school full time, working two part-time jobs that totaled up to 60 hours per week, all while working side jobs, too. I cannot emphasize this enough: it was not healthy.
The human brain, and body in general, are not meant to be on-the-go every hour of every day of the week. Both physical and emotional rest are important for sanity and overall health. We need time to decompress, recuperate, and heal. When people neglect this, there are real consequences. I know multiple people who have had stress ulcers and mental breakdowns. These people didn’t even know they were doing too much; they were doing what everyone else was doing.
It is automatic in our society to seize every opportunity that could lead us to the most important career that could make us the wealthiest. But I want to suggest that this is not the most important thing. Notoriety and wealth are good (in moderation, like everything else), but I don’t believe it is the point of living.
We are told to do whatever is necessary to become powerful. However, I am fully convinced that we know our own restrictions. Maybe taking on a promotion, the most difficult semester of your life, and a personal commitment, all at the same time, is not the smartest thing to do. Just in case anyone in your life isn’t telling you this, I will: it is okay to say no to any opportunity that you don’t believe fits into your life. In fact, it is essential. Sometimes saying no to certain opportunities makes room for much better opportunities to be presented.
If we take the time to listen to what our minds, bodies, and souls are telling us, we will know where our limitations lie. If you notice that your body and mind are telling you ‘no,’ listen to that. Some people can work 70 hours a week and sustain completely happiness and health. Some people struggle to keep sanity at “average” workload. Pushing yourself even a little too far will often hurt more than it helps. Contrary to what we’re told, life is not a race. Even God took a day off.
