Being Busy Is Easy. Being Alive Is Hard.
Being busy is the low-hanging fruit of modern existence. It’s easy, safe, and, let’s be honest, a fantastic excuse. “I can’t think about the big picture right now — I’m slammed.” It’s a socially acceptable way to dodge the hard stuff. The stuff that matters.
But here’s the rub: being busy is not the same as being alive. The former is about filling time; the latter is about filling your life. And one of them is a lot harder than the other.
The Cult of Busy
We live in a culture that worships at the altar of busy. It’s the ultimate humblebrag. “Oh, I’d love to grab coffee, but things are crazy right now.” Crazy is the new currency of worth. If you’re not busy, you’re lazy — or worse, irrelevant.
Let’s decode this for a second. Being busy is like eating junk food: it feels good in the moment but leaves you hollow. It’s a numbing agent, a distraction from the question we’re too terrified to confront: Is this what I want my life to look like?
The truth? Busy keeps us from facing the mirror. It’s the hamster wheel of emails, meetings, and deadlines that give the illusion of progress without demanding any real introspection. And let’s face it: introspection is uncomfortable. It forces us to wrestle with the “why” behind our actions. Busy lets us avoid that.
The Art of Being Alive
Being alive, on the other hand, is hard. It requires intention, courage, and — brace yourself — a willingness to say no. Being alive isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters.
Ask yourself: if you stripped away the meetings, the to-do lists, and the incessant ding of notifications, what’s left? Would you still recognize your life? Or would it feel like someone else’s highlight reel?
To be alive, you need to stop and ask yourself the hard questions:
- Am I spending my time on things that matter, or just things that keep me occupied?
- Do I have the courage to step off the treadmill, even if it means disappointing people?
- What would it look like to live a life that reflects my values, not just my obligations?
These questions are uncomfortable because they force us to confront the gap between who we are and who we want to be. But that discomfort? That’s the price of admission for a life worth living.
The Fear Factor
Let’s talk about why being alive is so hard: fear. Fear of failure. Fear of change. Fear of judgment. Fear that if we stop being busy, the world will realize we’re not as indispensable as we pretend to be.
Being busy gives us a sense of control. It’s a shield we wield against uncertainty. But here’s the paradox: the things that make life meaningful — relationships, creativity, purpose — require us to embrace uncertainty. They require us to let go of the illusion of control and step into the messy, unpredictable reality of being alive.
Courage Over Comfort
So, how do you shift from busy to alive? It starts with courage. Courage to disappoint people. Courage to say no to things that don’t align with your values. Courage to admit that you don’t have it all figured out.
Being alive means making peace with discomfort. It means taking risks, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. It means choosing what’s meaningful over what’s easy.
Want to know the most radical thing you can do in a culture obsessed with productivity? Be present. Show up for your life, not just your schedule.
The Metrics That Matter
At the end of your life, no one will remember how quickly you cleared your inbox or how many hours you logged on Slack. They’ll remember the moments you showed up fully. The relationships you nurtured. The risks you took.
Think about the metrics you’re optimizing for. Are you chasing promotions and accolades, or are you investing in things that will actually matter in the long run? Success is fleeting. Fulfillment is enduring.
Practical Steps to Being Alive
- Audit Your Calendar: Look at how you spend your time. If it’s filled with tasks that don’t align with your values, start cutting. Yes, this means disappointing people. That’s part of the deal.
- Set Boundaries: Being alive requires space. Space to think, to create, to connect. Protect your time like it’s your most valuable asset — because it is.
- Prioritize Presence: Put down your phone. Close your laptop. Be fully present for the people and moments that matter.
- Embrace Stillness: Busy is loud; being alive is quiet. Make time for reflection, even if it feels unproductive. Clarity comes from stillness, not chaos.
- Define Your Values: What do you want your life to stand for? If you can’t answer that question, you’ll spend your days chasing someone else’s idea of success.
The Hardest — and Most Rewarding — Work
Being alive isn’t a one-and-done decision. It’s a daily practice, a choice you make every time you decide how to spend your time and energy. It’s the hardest work you’ll ever do, but it’s also the most rewarding.
Busy is safe, but it’s a prison. Being alive is risky, but it’s freedom.
So, the next time you’re tempted to fill your day with busyness, ask yourself this: Am I alive? Or am I just…occupied?
