far as the East is from the West

Productivity by definition refers to “the effectiveness of productive effort, especially in industry, as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input.”

To me this word, productivity, means my capacity to make the most out of every second of every hour so as to not waste time while being the most efficient.

I often feel that I cannot or should not take time to just sit and watch TV or scroll social media for fun. I need to take advantage of that time (regardless of if it is 30 minutes or 2 hours) to do something that will benefit me and my life for the better. I must take that time to read my bible or exercise or brainstorm a new business venture. If I do take time to scroll on my phone, I feel instant guilt as I am scrolling for not getting up and saving the world (a bit dramatic, I know). Therefore I tend to be someone who tries to stay busy and always moving, how can I run errands in the most efficient way possible? How can I take advantage of these 2 free hours I have at work to get ahead even if I have nothing to get ahead on? How can I plan out or organize my week/month better? How can I make my chill Saturday productive?

My husband on the other hand loves to just chill. I literally have had to ask him what his definition of chilling is because we are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. To me, a chill Saturday is being lazy for a couple of hours and then getting back up to be productive. To him he could take a good midday nap, watch a movie, go outside for a little bit, have a nice dinner, play some games. I like to use my weekends to get ahead for the next week, he likes to use them as a way to recharge. I guess this is what you get when you are more extroverted and your husband is an introvert.

Where does my desire to be productive come from? What is the root cause for feeling this way? I think that a majority of my feelings from this come from comparison on social media. I see these influencers doing 10 things at once and I think to myself that I can do the same thing. What you don’t see behind the scenes are their team of hired people, helping them do each task and seeing it to fulfillment. I want to be productive in the same ways but there is only one of me.

Recently, I noticed that I have been constantly tired everyday by 7PM. This tiredness really brings down my drive to be productive after work *ugh*. I feel like I am letting myself down when I “have to listen to my body” (being able to figure out what your body is saying to itself is actually one of the coolest things but that’s for another time) and go to bed earlier or take time to actually rest. The thing is I don’t have anything that I am falling behind in. I am a pretty type A person (if you couldn’t tell LOL) and I try to stay on top of any tasks I have for home + work. So when I have no tasks to do & I am able to rest I don’t know what I am supposed to be doing. Isn’t there always something you should be doing? Do I feel this way just because society often pressures us to constantly be working or planning you next steps to get ahead?

I believe we were made to enjoy this beautiful world and the life that God created. He created us bearing His image, as people who can exude love. While yes, we should be efficient with the tasks/jobs that we have – we do not (more specifically, I do not) need to be looking for ways to be constantly productive. This will only produce burnout. Rather than looking at society’s standard of productivity, I first need to look towards God and from that moment of rest then I can move.

I am actively looking for ways to be more advantageous in life but I can choose to not let it consume me. I can take some notes from my husband on how to chill and rest in God first.

Do you feel pressure from society to be productive and do 10 things at once? Do you feel pressure from yourself? How do you overcome the pressure?

Hannah