A friend on Facebook just posted a link to a NY Times piece about how “busy” we all are. And how compelled we are to answer, “you know, busy” when someone asks how we are.
Not an original observation, but the fact that I saw it on Facebook felt so fitting, and made me think about what I really mean when I say “I’m so busy.”
Next time someone asks what’s I’m up to, what’s new, how I’m doing…instead of shrugging, making Robert DeNiro face and saying, “I dunno, you know, just super busy” I’m going to say this:
“Oh, me? Lots going on – been making tragically poor use of my time; taking 6 hours to do 3 billable hours of work because I feel compelled to seek attention and approval every few minutes on Facebook; making plans with friends and then postponing them because we’re too busy, but really because it’s raining; thinking about work when I’m not working which makes it feel like I’m still working; keeping my scalding-hot computer in my lap while I relax with a Bravo show I DVR’ed and then restarting the episode 6 times because I keep looking up at the exact same mid-point moment and realizing I missed everything they said while I was responding to Facebook comments; mindlessly eating egg salad from the container while trying to think of a funny line for an assignment I’m stuck on; trying to come up with something to blog about that I didn’t already waste in a Facebook post; searching online for a pair of discontinued Nikes, because mine are getting really dirty; peeing a lot; lotta stuff…”
And then of course, I’ll add,
“You know, busy.”
Your turn.
What’s it really mean when you say “been busy”?
TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS.
I’m super busy as well. I have bad ADD. I just love doing many things at once. Maybe it’s the new age: you’re programmed to touch your iphone, ipad, jump to looking at emails while on these devises, while writing a blog then, switching back to looking at facebook in a span of 15 minutes.
That’s how my afternoons are spent.
I digress.
Just love you Laura and your busy blogs. Keep ’em coming!
Do NOT tell other mothers that you aren’t busy. It’s like admitting that you don’t love your kid.
I make lists of all the important things that must get done, and then I number the items in order of importance. After that, instead of doing the number one item, I think of something not on the list, like changing a difficult-to-reach light bulb. After I get the ladder and a new bulb, I see how dirty the lamp is, so I have to get off the ladder and get cleaning stuff. I get back up and do it, but instead of putting the ladder away, I realize I haven’t done the first item on the list, and I remember that I haven’t unloaded the dishwasher. And so it goes. I’ll get to work later. Maybe.
This is like group therapy for the inefficient, procrastinating type – of which I am one. (Evidenced by the fact that I am commenting. And then going to go to Facebook to look up Talking Shrimp. I didn’t even think about checking you out there!! More good stuff to do instead of those money making endeavours.)
OMG! I love this group therapy, Hilarie! xoxo
P.S. Renting a movie on a Vudu should not be confused with renting one on a Zulu.
Well, truly busy I have been and am. At least this morning. Tackled several storage boxes marked “PAPERS -SAVE.” What a bunch of crapola! Ultimately came away with just some tax stuff that I guess one has to save forever. But apparently before my new “Zen” way of living kicked in I found it necessary to save pretty much everything – greeting cards, blood test forms, old paycheck stubs, you name it. You should do a blog on saving crap. You’d be a lot funnier than I, I’m sure. Now I’ve got a pile of papers to keep me BUSY at the shredder all afternoon. Your busy sounds like lots more fun. Though I do plan on renting a movie on a Vudu while I shred.
I’m so busy I actually have a personal assistant to coordinate my free time, which also is remarkably busy. Volleyball, knife fighting class, tree communing and I’m waiting to hear back about whether or not I got the gig as a chicken docent for a local fair.
Come to think of it – when am I not busy? My busy is busy. Geez. Even my breathing feels short on time. The only time things are not is bathroom time and sleeping – although I keep having dreams of running a Lego factory where people only want the colors we’re about to run out of.
So busy there too.
What to do.
Maybe I need to go to Italy.
Hmmm.
If you remember from my other comment, I live in Spain. Busy in this land means going to buy the lottery ticket and watching the breeze blow while calculating how you’re going to spend that million you’re going to win (this time, for reals).
Only that I am not Spanish. So I “busy” myself with too many projects, in a similar way to Liz above.
Kyle, I love how you are being busy 🙂
Ahhhgggg! I just wrote a whole long comment about all this and IT DISAPPEARED. Now I’m too busy to re-write!!!
*throws 4-year old style fit*
People that tell me they’re always busy might as well be telling me, “I suck at time management.”
Or, “I hate being alone with myself, so I fill up my day with all kinds of shit so that I don’t have to be by myself.” Or, “Look at me! I’m super important.”
Busy. I hate that word, I’m just glad that busy people are too busy to hang out with me, because they’d drive me crazy with their inability to sit still. I’m an advocate of sitting still—and doing nothing.
Busy….
Refreshing my email awaiting my daily Talking Shrimp email!
*cue suck up chants* haha, I look forward to these daily, they make unemployment fun, make me feel involved in something, of course I’ll still love them when employed again, but you get the love I’m sending your way.
Playing around with iOS 8, sampling more of U2’s latest album.
Reading online comments because that’s always a lot of fun and a great way to pass time in between meals.
Playing with my cats.
Reading up on poetry and reading self help & productivity tips online.
That’s my current state when I say “busy”
I’ve been Khyle, and I’ll always be Khyle, I like my name.
Cheers for reading!
I’m usually wanting to know everything that’s happening on Facebook while wishing I wasn’t on Facebook because I just wasted time. Since I have to have background noise I turn on a rerun of an old show or music while I also take 6 hours to get 3 hours of billable hours complete. Then I realize I haven’t looked at minivans yet today so I must check to see what’s out there now. Get back to billable hours and realize that again I’ve put off my own marketing and business building time again. Make a plan to get rid of 10 emails, get rid of 5 and then get mad that in my mad streak of productivity I have to leave to get my kids from school. Then they need to be fed but I’d rather work so I’m frustrated that I can’t prep food and critique the new website design at the same time. Say f it, go to work out class with my friends, laugh my buns off come home sweaty and gross, shower, make kids make sure stuff is ready for school tomorrow, check Facebook because I missed out on the last few hours. And then sit down and get more work done then I did all day while staying up later than I wanted to because I know I’ll be extra tired in the morning. Get up being tired and mad that I stayed up so late.
“Busy”
= being the first one to make a comment on a blog
=cleaning condiment spouts for maximum squirtage
=cruising skinny jean collections on J. Crew or Banana Republic and wondering if there are real women who wear capri jeans with spike heels every day
=refreshing FB 800 times
=re-reading my To-Do list to keep it “fresh” in my mind…but not doing anything
and so, SO much more.
Damn. Bruce beat me to first. I guess I was busy.
Ever since I decided to count to three before doing everything that I do (for example, having breakfast, shooting a perpetrator or checking my e-mail), I’ve found that it uses up an incredible amount of time. So why do I feel the need to do this? Because I’m totally scripted and my writing staff is made up of hacks.