Declutter The Busy

Running around nonstop all over the place. Speed racing through traffic to get to your next appointment on time. Losing your cool because yet another person asks you for a favor. Cutting people off mid-sentence because you have other things to do. Multi-tasking as many things as there are minutes in the day.

This is no way to live. And if this is how you’re living, you need to declutter your busy.

In other words, declutter how you spend your time by limiting what’s on your plate—doing less—with the aim of having more downtime to connect with the you underneath the busyness. The you underneath all the To Do lists.

Why Are You So Busy?

What are you so busy doing? Have you ever asked yourself that? Have you ever evaluated your calendar?

Is there any time to care for the intangibles, like your own mind and spirit?

I used to think I didn’t have time to care for that stuff. I had people to see, places to go and things to do! Besides, what did I know about caring for my mind and spirit?

In college, I was too focused on outward appearances, peer validation and good grades. I got wrapped up in a full courseload, part-time internships, countless student organizations and all-night parties. There was no time for nurturing my insides.

It wasn’t until I was deep in depression my sophomore year that my eyes were opened to the pressure I was placing on myself.

My busy schedule that year was my rude awakening. I learned the hard way that I couldn’t do it all.

I was so overloaded that eventually all the balls I was juggling came crashing to the ground. And so did I.

The depression and overwhelm led to severe panic attacks. My roommates nearly called 911 on a couple occasions because I was curled up in fetal position on the floor, hyperventilating, unable to speak or catch my breath.

I was drowning in worries about my major. The math classes that were part of the business degree I was after included calculus, statistics, economics, finance, accounting. My worst nightmare. I hated math!

The obnoxious, internal narrative in my head about how I’m not smart enough and how I’ll flunk all my classes had me in uncontrollable tears for days on end. The onslaught of fear and doubt was deafening; the noise would not stop.

But I had to choose my major asap and stick to it. My career depended on it!

I was terrified of making the wrong choice, failing at my coursework and ending up jobless on the street. The irrational premonition got the best of me.

I let that headtrash, that mental clutter build up in my mind like plaque, clogging my mental fluidity and self-awareness, infecting my clarity and well-being. But I was too busy to notice.

Lying there on the ground, though, close to blacking out, I got unbusy real fast.

You Without The Busy

Who are you underneath all the busyness? Can you stand to face who you are with fewer responsibilities and obligations?

Or do you shy away from getting to know the you without the busy?

Do you purposefully neglect getting to know the you that’s quiet and has nothing to do?

I wasn’t afraid to face that person.

After the panic attacks that year in college, I got serious about taking care of me, doing what kept me clear-headed and calm. I cut out the extracurriculars, the late nights, I got a statistics tutor and spoke to a career counselor.

I made time to journal and sit on the grass to watch campus life. I enjoyed quiet walks to class as a chance to take in fresh air and sunshine.

I refocused myself on new priorities. I restored my sense of self and my belief in my own abilities. And what followed was a natural byproduct of recentering: I passed my classes, I lost weight, and, most importantly, I became less anxious.

My quality of life improved dramatically because I started to simplify my schedule. The me underneath the busy was more present and self-aware than ever before.

I haven’t had a panic attack since. Sure, I’ve been on the verge of a one here and there, but I know what to do now. Upon any hint of anxiety, I work through the steps of the Declutter Code to calm my mind and instantly feel more at peace.

I went on to graduate with that business degree and a diploma which held many lessons learned.

Take it from me, being busy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It usually just leaves you abandoned on the floor—and that really throws a wrench in your go-getter plans.

What is filling your schedule and is it fulfilling you? That’s the question to answer.

What fills your schedule should fill you with joy, peace and love. Busy yourself with that stuff instead.

Anything else is a waste of time.

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