Busyness Is a Choice

After I began playing in an improv theatre, I've been observing people more. The more I observe, the fewer people I see who are willing to move out of their comfort zone. Even when they have the energy and really want to do something, like sign up for a hobby class or host a dinner with friends. When I ask why they aren't doing the things they would love to do, I hear the same answer from everyone, like they are in a choir. They are busy. Everyone is busy. People want to do a million things and never find the time. Perhaps they think time is like a material that can be mined, and they are waiting for someone to show them where to start digging. But they—all these busy people—have something in common. They choose to be busy. And they use busyness as an excuse to avoid showing vulnerability. "Being busy" is a choice. I know, I know, most people don't have the luxury of stopping work when they want to. So, naturally, they are busy with work. Still, what's left after work is still a…