Comments on: do you suffer from I’m-so-busy-itis?

By: tracy smith

tracy smith — Tue, 04 May 2010 03:11:49 +0000

I find myself in perpetual conflict..because although I do truly enjoy entertaining and very much value our relationships with friends and family, I also really crave alone and down time with my husband and three children.. I’m looking for advice: every weekend and even through-out the week, we are approached about plans ..so much so it feels like we are never alone to really relax as a family..What do I say to people without sounding im-polite when we don’t have arrangements and would not like to have plans without out lying or sounding rude?

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:40:03 +0000

Yes! Thank you for writing this! I am not a mom (yet), but everyone I know IS a mom…and anytime I try to get together with anyone, all I get is “I’m soo busy”. I thought that this was an excuse, but doubted my insight as I do not have children, therefore, I must not be able to understand how busy children make mothers these days.

But Lo! I find this article, and all of you who already have children see through this “too busy” excuse as well! I am not insane! Nobody can be so busy that I can only see them three times a year!

If these people are trying to gain my pity, or make me jealous, or feel more important or more special than me because of their insecurity…then this “too busy” ploy is not working. We’re all busy. So, if I can make time for my friends, but my friends can’t make time for me…I better re-evaluate my friends and watch out for this catch phrase, as this is a clue that the person is too wrapped up in their lists to bother with being a friend!!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:30:55 +0000

I really needed to read this. I am so guilty as charged. I am getting over my story now – for me, my kids and the rest of the world.

By: Cindy La Ferle

Cindy La Ferle — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:26:28 +0000

Funny thing, in France (and other parts of Europe) it's considered very rude to talk much about your work, your job, or how terribly busy you are. Working too hard isn't considered something to boast about -- and having leisure time is the goal of the good life. At cocktail parties, French people rarely ask "what do you do for a living?" Of course, this forces everyone to make conversation about deeper social issues, current events, books they've read, and so on. I'd like to borrow a page from them... Cindy La Ferle’s last blog post..Call of the wild

By: Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE

Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:56:00 +0000

I mostly agree with you, though I’m guilty of stringing a long list of things I’ve accomplished together on facebook. I do it more as a list of things I can check off. It makes ME feel good to know that I got something done, despite feeling like I didn’t do a darned thing. Though I’ll admit, I read EVERY night. It helps me keep my sanity. Sometimes I only read for 10 minutes before lights out, but it is so important to me.

By: Catootes

Catootes — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:37:33 +0000

I'm a "busy" crime committer myself, but I think I use it in defense. Due to reasons no one wants listed here, I make guilty "I'm so busy" excuses when trying to steal time for myself and not attending to other's needs, be they social needs, family needs or friends needs. I hide behind the lst of things that must be done so I don't burden myself any further. Gah. I know when I'm doing and want to smack my self silly when the words erupt form my own mouth. Catootes’s last blog post..there's an excellent location for that cherry bomb

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:52:21 +0000

I have now twittered this, fb’d this, and printed this. I think I like it.

I truly hate it when people do this to me… but I find myself doing the very thing I despise, myself. I have a habit of always feeling “I must explain.” It’s the easy way out of “no.”

But today I’m seriously planning to stop. Thanks for the kick in the behind!

By: FamilyNature

FamilyNature — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:23:39 +0000

Yes! I too find this annoying. Everyone is busy, it's true. When I feel like things around here are too busy we schedule down time. My husband and I say, "Okay, no plans on Saturday? Let's keep it that way." I find the same thing about stress. "Oh, I'm so stressed out". There are some stresses that you just can't get rid of, absolutely. But then there are things you can control, just like being busy...if things aren't working, change them. FamilyNature’s last blog post..My Baby, My C-Sections. Random Ramblings about Babies, Growing Up and Letting Go.

By: deb

deb — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:31:46 +0000

why do we do this... are we all rationalizing or explaining away our days. I used to babysit a little guy , and his Mom would rattle of her whole week , often including her hubby's schedule , while I stood mouth agape , vacuum in hand, my 5 and her little one, waiting for her to leave and close the door. If she wanted off the train I would have given her a not so friendly push some mornings. Either get to the list and stop telling someone who doesn't really care, or don't do some of the things and the world will go on without you. Having said that , I am guilty of it , especially when I feel held hostage to all these social norms that take up time I'd rather be using to be creative, or soaking up creation. Dog grooming, returning ill-fitting clothing, buying teacher gifts... blah. The prison of suburbia. I'm sorry if that sounds a little harsh... this post resonated with me in a huge way. deb’s last blog post..ANYTHING BUT THAT

By: Kristin T. (@kt_writes)

Kristin T. (@kt_writes) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:57:50 +0000

Great post Meagan, and a very important topic. It's become a cultural epidemic. For most people who read this blog, I'd venture to guess our lives are built on our priorities, and the choices we make around them. I love the "own your own busyness" comment. It's so true--if we don't like how busy we are, we can change something. While I know it's hard to find ways to pare down and slow down, there are plenty of people (even here in the United States) who deliberately choose to live a very different kind of life. It can be done, on whatever level of simplicity you decide you want to live with. The point isn't necessarily that the more simple you life, the better. The point is determining what level makes you and your family feel happy, healthy and fulfilled, and then figuring out how to maintain that level. Kristin T. (@kt_writes)’s last blog post..Tales I couldn’t tell without Facebook