Life's Lesson in Being too Busy
How many times in your life have you said, “I’m too busy” for whatever it is?
Whether it’s about taking time off for a well-deserved vacation, or just making time to do the things you love — like taking a walk on the beach, enjoying a night out with friends, or spending quality time with an elderly family member.
Unfortunately, being busy has become the norm for so many of us. When opportunities arise to do things for ourselves or loved ones, we often find ourselves immediately uttering the words, “I’m too busy.”
Can you relate?
I certainly can, because “being too busy” has been a common thread throughout my career. I’ve always worked crazy hours that often overflowed into my weekends. I think I wore “being too busy” as a badge of honor, because in my mind it made me feel more successful.
The Struggle for Work-Life Balance
When I was in my mid-30s, I was offered a great job at a promotions agency. I was so proud of myself when I negotiated a compensation package with a high salary and two weeks of paid vacation per year, especially since their standard vacation time for all employees was only one week.
One summer, my mom was studying French in Paris, so I asked my boss for a week off. Unfortunately, I was told it was our busy season, so I could only take a few days off. So, I was only able to take a long weekend off to visit my mom in Paris. Despite the brief stay, I cherished the chance to experience the history and beauty of the City of Lights with her.
It was kind of ironic that I had negotiated extra paid vacation, as I always felt guilty asking for time off. At the end of the year, I would carry over my vacation days over to the next year, like I was saving time in a bank.
I thought delaying vacations wasn’t a big deal because I was still young and, in my mind, felt like there was always plenty of time.
After I left that job, I had more free time and decided I wanted to visit Japan for the first time with my mom to meet her distant relatives. I wanted to experience the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the spirituality of Kyoto, and the small town of Shizuoka near Mount Fuji where my grandmother grew up. I always remember the vivid stories she would tell me about when she was a little girl.
Those moments, traveling with my mom to Paris and Japan, remain some of the most cherished memories of my life.
Prioritizing What Truly Matters in Life After 50
When my mom was in her 70s, she wanted to travel to Spain, but at this point in my dad’s life, he preferred to stay at home in his comfortable routine, sleep in his own bed, and eat the same food every day.
So, my mom asked me if I would like to go with her to Spain, and she even offered to treat me to the trip.
Most people would jump at the chance and immediately begin packing their bags, but the timing couldn’t have been worse for me to take time off. As this was at the beginning stages of my journey of becoming a solopreneur, and since it was only me, if I didn’t do the work, it wouldn’t get done. I literally worked seven days a week, 12-hour days for two years straight.
This was a make-or-break moment for me, as I was really struggling and this was a critical point in my business, so I regrettably told my mom I couldn’t go with her. While I felt bad, I assumed she would ask one of her many travel buddies to go with her… but she never did.
As time went on, I continued to prioritize work over other important things in my life, always claiming to be “too busy.”
But was I really too busy… or was I just keeping myself busy?!
Living Without Regrets
Deep down inside, we all know our parents aren’t going to be around forever, but do we make adjustments in the way we live our lives to make more time for them while they are still here?
When my mom reached her mid-80s, unfortunately, it was too late for her to travel to Spain. She had excruciating sciatica in her legs, could barely walk, and had to use a wheelchair most of the time to get around. At this point she could no longer travel, nor did she want to.
My passing on the opportunity to travel with my mom to Spain is a painful reminder that time is precious and fleeting. This is one of my biggest regrets. While I can’t go back and change the past, I have made significant shifts in my life and now make the time for the important things and people in my life.
And I, as a Life Coach for Women Over 50, can use my own painful experience to encourage you to make different choices in your life, before it’s too late.
The truth is, work will always be there. The emails, the meetings, the deadlines — they’re all endless. But the people we love won’t always be here. Our parents, our friends, our children — they are the ones who make our lives rich and meaningful. Yet, we often push them aside in favor of our work commitments.
If you’re fortunate enough to still have your parents or other loved ones around, I encourage you to take a step back from the things that are keeping you “too busy.” It’s time to re-prioritize your life and make time for the most important people in your life.
Because trust me, you don’t want to look back on your life and realize that you missed out on the most important moments with the most important people in your life, because you were too busy. Regret is a heavy burden to carry after someone is gone, and it often comes too late.
Takeaways on How You Can Re-Prioritize Your Life After 50
Here are some ways you can start prioritizing the important people in your life:
- Schedule Time for Loved Ones: Just as you schedule meetings and deadlines, schedule time for the people you care about. Make it non-negotiable.
- Be Present: When you are with your loved ones, be fully present. Put away your phone, stop thinking about work, and enjoy the moment.
- Say Yes More Often: When opportunities arise to spend time with loved ones, say yes. The work can wait.
- Reflect on What Matters: Regularly take time to reflect on what’s truly important to you. This can help you make better choices about how you spend your time.
Just remember…
Life is happening now. Don’t let the busyness of your life rob you of the precious moments with the people who matter most.
Prioritize them, cherish them, and make the most of the time you have together. Because at the end of the day, it’s the relationships and memories that will matter, not the hours you logged at work.
If you still think you don’t have enough time in your life right now, visit my website to get my free e-book, “5 Ways to Buy More Time In Your Life… To Do More of What You Love!”
