I find it insulting when people tell me they’re busy.
Like no one else is busy. Want to immediately alienate your audience? Tell them how busy you are.
One major writing hurdle I have to help my middle school students overcome is their need to start every essay by saying “I’m going to tell you about…” I don’t know where they learned to write like this, but I wish I could find that person and shake them very, very hard. “Never tell me you’re getting ready to tell me something!” I yell at them. “Just tell me something!”
I feel the same way about people that preface everything with how busy they are. Oh, you’re busy? Tell me what is that like? You’re the first person I’ve ever met who has been busy!
We are all busy. Whether you have zero kids or ten kids. Whether you are single or married. Whether you are going to school or working a job or staying home to raise little people. Whatever season you are in, you probably feel busy, but it’s not an excuse for anything. It’s actually just life. No one’s busy is any more or less important than another person’s busy. Unless you’re the president. And even then, I don’t have much sympathy for you, you’re the crazy that signed up for that horrible job.
I love the movement I’ve seen recently to stop glorifying busy. It was a wake-up call to me, and I am working hard to stop being busy just for the sake of busy; I want to slow down, and I’m making life decisions based on that desire. But I’m still busy, not overwhelmed or lacking any more sleep than normal (*looks longingly at her comfy bed*), but I’ve always got stuff to do. Like you, probably.
So can we stop starting emails, blog posts, and conversations with a mention of how busy we are? Can we all agree to do that? I think it’s implied, actually. You’re alive: living and breathing and busy. Now that it’s out of the way, you don’t need to keep letting people know about it, and we can all move on.
It will actually make you a little less busy if you stop telling people how busy you are. No one cares, we’re all busy. Find something more unique to complain about. Thanks.
Haha. I used to feel this way until I got pregnant. Now, being busy feels extra exhausting, so I talk about it. I guess I’m one of those annoying people now!
Ha, well, I still love you anyway! 😉 And pregnancy tired is its own special beast, I don’t miss that feeling at all.
I was going to write a lengthy comment on this but I’m so sorry I’ve just been so busy.
I was hoping someone would make this comment and I’m glad it was you. Extra credit, Cherie Lowe.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Very well said, Mary! I had a similar conversation with someone today…and even touched on people who pretend by making themselves “look” busy so that people don’t ask them things. #annoying
Super annoying on a whole other level!
This past summer I heard an older gentleman asking people for help with a community event and he commented that everyone was telling him how busy they were. He said he heard once, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” It really stuck in my head. A lot of us use “busy” as an excuse to get out of something, but the more I have paid attention, the truly “busy” people never claim to be and are usually doing things for the well being of those around them.
That’s an interesting point. And probably true! Thanks for sharing.
I love you Mary Graham! That is all.
Haha, thanks Brandi! 🙂