3556: Resigning from a Culture of Busy by Julianna Poplin with No Sidebar on Minimalism and A Simple Life

[00:00:00] Before we start, please check out our new podcast, Good Sleep. Have you ever noticed how a calm mind can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast, Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting, they can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep.

[00:00:25] So press play on Good Sleep tonight because a good tomorrow starts with a good night's sleep. Just search for Good Sleep in your podcast app and be sure to pick the one from Optimal Living Daily.

[00:00:38] This is Optimal Living Daily, Resigning from a Culture of Busy by Julianna Poplin with NoSidebar.com and I'm Justin Malik. Welcome back to OLD or Old where I read to you with permission from the authors. So with that, let's get right to it as we optimize your life. Resigning from a Culture of Busy by Julianna Poplin with NoSidebar.com

[00:01:07] Recently, our family went to a community event at a local garden. First, we meandered through the gardens as the kids looked for statues on their scavenger hunt. Next, the kids used their creative talents as they painted on a large canvas. The outlines of shapes were largely ignored in their quest to spread as much paint as humanly possible.

[00:01:27] Later, we went to various tables with crafts, activities, and information about local businesses, groups, or clubs. One was offering a jewelry-making craft. My older daughter asked to make one, so I went along with her. The woman at the table asked if we'd be interested in joining the group she was representing. Not one to mince words, I said that we weren't interested. I mentioned that I hardly ever signed my kids up for after-school activities because we don't like having a full schedule.

[00:01:57] She replied that I could just drop her off since it sounds like I'm already so busy. It was at this point that I clarified my statement. I told her that, No, it isn't that we are already busy. It's that we don't want to become busy, and that's why we don't do these extra things. We are intentionally un-busy. Her expression reflected her confusion at what I'd just said. No response.

[00:02:23] Our society is so used to the idea of busy that it makes people uncomfortable to consider the possibility of intentionally choosing not to be busy. It's not normal. We fill our schedules without even realizing what's happened. We sign on to things without knowing why we are doing them. We go with the flow of what other parents do, what friends do, or what our family does, without stopping to ask questions. Do we want to be doing what we're doing?

[00:02:52] If not, why are we? This isn't to say we should only do things we enjoy. As a parent, I do many things I don't like doing. At times, we should do things that make us uncomfortable because it helps us grow. We need to be thoughtful in our choices. We sign on to do things with no good reason. It's a reflex to say yes. We want people to like us. We want to be helpful. We want to fit in.

[00:03:19] Everyone else seems to be busy, so certainly we should be too. Unless, of course, you don't want to be. If you're tired of keeping up with the culture of busyness and want to resign, you need to, number one, consider your motives, number two, have clear priorities and boundaries, and number three, wait to say yes. Number one, motives. Why do you do what you do?

[00:03:46] If you're saying yes to things out of guilt, obligation, or how you want to be perceived, it's time to stop. Those are not good reasons to say yes. When we do things out of guilt or perceived obligation, it often leads to dissatisfaction and even resentment. It's difficult to enjoy spending time doing things we wished we'd said no to. Sometimes we may think because we were asked is reason enough to say yes.

[00:04:12] We want to be helpful or assume we're supposed to be busy trying to do everything. We overcommit to the detriment of everyone we've said yes to. When you take on too much and you're stretched too thin, everyone suffers, including you, your family, and the people you've said yes to. Other times we choose to have very busy schedules because we've let it define us. When we continue to pour ourselves into tasks, we can take our busyness on as part of our identity.

[00:04:40] But be warned, tying your self-worth up in the things you do will leave you worn out. If you're tired of feeling busy and overcommitted, take time to look over your schedule and ask what your motives are for each of the items listed. It may be time to let some of them go. Number two, have clear priorities and boundaries. It becomes easier to say no when you are clear on your priorities and boundaries,

[00:05:07] when you've decided as a family that you will have dinner together five nights per week, then any opportunity that conflicts with that becomes an easy no. That isn't to say you won't be tempted. Sometimes great opportunities arise that you do want to add to your schedule. Be wise in doing so. Don't constantly make exceptions or your boundaries have no meaning. Be clear on what your personal and family values are. Protect your time. The world will fill your schedule up

[00:05:36] until you're drained and exhausted. Choosing to let go of busyness will mean you get used to saying no and saying it often. Don't apologize for owning your schedule and choosing margin. Give yourself permission to live your life and to choose appropriate and healthy boundaries. And number three, wait to say yes. To prevent over-scheduling, wait to say yes to anything.

[00:06:03] Make a rule that you cannot say yes to any event, obligation, or commitment without considering it for a set period of time. It's easy to say a quick yes without considering the implications. But when you've said yes to something, you by default are saying no to other things. If you're a people pleaser who is used to saying yes, this will be a greater challenge. Creating this habit will help you get your time and life back. After all, how you spend your time is how you spend your life.

[00:06:33] Make sure you are spending it on the things you intend and that are important to you. When you're busy, you miss out on other opportunities. You don't have the flexibility to enjoy a spontaneous family picnic. When you're over-committed, you miss out on relaxing. When your life is moving too fast, you miss out on little moments and the simple joys. Enjoy nature. Enjoy your family. Enjoy rest.

[00:07:00] And enjoy your life by resigning from a culture of busy. You just listened to the post titled, Resigning from a Culture of Busy by Julianna Poplin with NoSidebar.com. And I'll be right back with my commentary. This show is sponsored by Liquid IV. Staying properly hydrated isn't just about drinking water, it's about absorption. That's why I'm excited to tell you about Liquid IV.

[00:07:27] When I'm traveling, I always pack Liquid IV packets in my carry-on. My favorite is their strawberry flavor, but their new raspberry lemonade is amazing too. Just tear, pour into 16 ounces of water, and enjoy delicious hydration on the go. One stick provides three times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks, plus eight essential vitamins and nutrients. It's always non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free. Break the mold and own your ritual. Just one stick in 16 ounces of water hydrates better than water alone.

[00:07:56] When hydrating, combining allulose and amino acids leads to more efficient absorption, helping your body retain essential electrolytes longer. Give yourself the power of extraordinary hydration from Liquid IV. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid IV when you go to liquidiv.com and use code OLD at checkout. That's 20% off your first order with code OLD at liquidiv.com. Remember those childhood dreams?

[00:08:25] As we grow, our aspirations evolve. Instead of fantasizing about space travel, perhaps you're now dreaming of launching your own business around your passion for minimalism or sustainable living. But doubt creeps in. Do I have the skills? Can I build a website? How will I find customers? Enter Shopify. The commerce platform empowering millions of businesses worldwide and handling 10% of all U.S. e-commerce from household names to fresh startups. Worried about design?

[00:08:52] Well, Shopify offers beautiful templates that align with your brand's aesthetic. Need assistance? Their AI tools help with everything from enhancing product images to crafting descriptions that resonate with conscious consumers. Concerned about reaching your audience? Shopify simplifies customer connection through streamlined email and social campaigns. And if you get stuck, their award-winning support team is available 24-7. Turn those dreams into... And give them the best shot at success with Shopify.

[00:09:21] Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com slash old. Go to shopify.com slash OLD. Shopify.com slash old. Thank you, Juliana. I really like that question, do we want to be doing what we're doing? We're often so busy we don't even take the time to answer that simple question.

[00:09:46] I'd insist that if you're multitasking right now, just stop for a second and think about that very simple question. Do you want to be doing what you're doing? And if not, why are you? If you're at work and your answer is, I need to provide for myself and possibly a family too. I get it. This isn't an easy answer, but that's one aspect of our lives. What about what you do after work or before work? On the weekends, if you don't work on the weekends. In your spare time.

[00:10:16] Is that what you truly want to be doing? One thing that I've mentioned here before, and it's probably going to sound like I'm obsessed, but I really see value in it. It's mood tracking. You can do it once a day or more. Simply say what you're doing and then what your mood is on a scale of like one to five. It's quite enlightening when you force yourself to think about it every day. And over time, patterns do appear.

[00:10:41] And then we can be more intentional with our time to align with our values. So I'd highly recommend giving it a shot. Try it out. And I'll catch you tomorrow with another article where your optimal life awaits.