“How are you?”
It is probably one of the most common questions we ask each other. Somewhere along the way, we collectively decided there was only one acceptable answer: “Busy.”
We are busy with classes. Busy with practice. Busy with work. Busy with clubs. Busy with homework. Busy trying to maintain relationships. Sometimes, it feels like we are even too busy to explain exactly what we are busy doing.
Being busy has become more than a description of our schedules. It has become a status symbol. Heck, it even has its own name at Bethel!
Bethel Busy is kind of an unspoken competition surrounding who has the most on their plate. You can tell someone you only got five hours of sleep, and they got four. Mention you have two assignments due tomorrow, and someone else has three. Say you had a long day, and suddenly everyone starts comparing schedules.
The busier you are, the more successful you must be. At least, that is what we convince ourselves.
College encourages us to get involved, join organizations, work, play sports, volunteer, build our resumes, maintain good grades, and somehow still have a social life. None of these things are bad. In fact, I think they can be some of the best parts of college. The problem begins when doing more becomes more important than actually enjoying what we are doing.
I believe part of the problem is that slowing down can make us feel like we are falling behind. When everyone around us seems to be constantly working toward something, taking time for ourselves can almost feel irresponsible. We become so focused on what comes next that we forget the value of simply enjoying where we are right now. College only lasts for a few years, and we should not spend all of them worrying about whether we are doing enough.
A free afternoon should not feel like something that needs to be fixed. Taking a nap does not make you lazy. Saying no to another responsibility does not mean you lack ambition. Sometimes, doing absolutely nothing is exactly what you need.
There will always be busy seasons in college. Midterms will happen, practices will run late, and deadlines will somehow land at the same time. Being busy itself is not the problem.
Glorifying it is.
Maybe instead of asking, “How much can I fit into my schedule?” we should start asking, “Which things are actually worth my time?”