The Busyness Bandaid

Sometimes, it's not life's demands that keep us overly busy but rather the need to run from something. We keep ourselves busy to avoid dealing with our troubles or to keep our minds from spiraling out of control with worries and frustrations. The thought of rest scares us.

Let me tell you, when I attempt to sit still and do nothing, my mind wanders faster than a toddler in a toy store. I fret about circumstances so far beyond my control that I might as well try to lasso the moon. I ruminate over past missteps until I've practically worn a groove in my brain. It's less daunting to immerse myself in a flurry of activity than to confront those fears and regrets head-on. I find solace in the familiar rhythm of my daily tasks as if folding laundry and scrubbing toilets can keep the shadows at bay. (Spoiler alert: they can't, but at least my whites are whiter, and my bathroom sparkles!)

Ironically, my constant striving for perfection in all aspects of my life only fuels my anxiety and self-doubt. I desire to be the best wife, missionary, and author I can be, but I often fall short of my lofty expectations. This, in turn, leads to a vicious cycle of overworking and exhaustion that would make even the Energizer Bunny throw in the towel.