Are you tired of hearing “I’m just so busy” as if it’s a badge of honor?
Or you’re the one saying it?
When someone asks you, “How was your day?” you sigh and say, “Busy.“
Because you’ve been in go-mode since 6 a.m. and don’t even know what day it is.
But here’s the truth: Busy is not a personality.
It’s not a superpower. And it’s definitely not a strategy for building a joyful life or healthy relationships.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying everything—your job, your home, your kids, your mental load, this post is for you.
Today, I’m unpacking the myth of “busy” and why it’s quietly wrecking your work-life balance—and what you can do instead.
Hello there! My name is Mina. Welcome to Work-Life Balance Hacks.
Here I share work-life balance tips, hacks for single parents, and self-care and wellness tips in my area of expertise as a health coach.
If you’re new, don’t miss these favorites:
Now, let’s talk about this word that keeps showing up in our homes and calendars: Busy.
1. When Did Busy Become a Personality Trait?
Have you ever noticed how often we describe ourselves—or others—as “so busy”?
Busy has become the modern adult’s default setting.
But here’s the thing:
Busy doesn’t mean fulfilled. It just means full.
And too often, that fullness is made up of pressure, stress, and guilt.
It’s not unusual to think of “working late” as a personality type. Their version of presence was being physically home but mentally stuck in tasks or work calls. They weren’t bad people. They just lost their compass, and work became their entire identity.
As a full-time fintech analyst by day and a holistic health content creator by night, I am always busy working on my computers. I have had my fair share of tech job-related issues, and like you, I am probably beyond tired. But I am really trying to incorporate all my holistic knowledge into reality. I take nature breaks, eat energy-boosting food, and care for my vision due to long hours of screen time.
2. Parents Aren’t Just “Busy”—They’re Burned Out
Let’s be real. We, parents, don’t just work. We run logistics for the entire household.
Even when both parents are involved, they still carry most of the invisible load:
- Remembering what needs to be done
- Anticipating everyone’s needs
- Emotionally managing the whole family
We’re not just “busy.” We’re tapped out.
And when someone else in the house gets to claim “I’m busy” to avoid participating, resentment builds fast.
I share more about this in Holistic Health Strategies to Overcome and Prevent Burnout.
3. Busy Is Sometimes Just Avoidance
When someone’s always busy, it can be a cover-up.
For what?
- Avoiding family responsibilities
- Escaping emotional connection
- Saying no without saying no
- Hiding from discomfort or vulnerability
And honestly? I’ve done this too. As a single mom, I have so many unprocessed things, people, and situations to carry on. I prided myself on ‘keeping it together ‘ for a long time. Being busy gives you a sense of control. But after a while, you realize… it’s not control. It’s a cage. And it might affect your health.
If you happen to be busy and avoid your physical health, don’t panic. Just think about healthier solutions, like what kind of fitness fun is good for your family. You might want to discover some water sports that is great option for busy parents.
4. Your Family Needs Presence, Not Productivity
Your kids don’t care how many emails you’ve sent or work tasks you’ve done. Bravo for you…
They care that you look them in the eyes when they talk.
They care that you made time for pancakes or bedtime stories.
They care that you showed up for the game, the performance, and the important things for them.
We get so caught up trying to prove our worth through doing that we forget that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is BE.
Presence > Performance. Every time.
Need a break from being busy?
5. Real Work-Life Balance Is a Team Effort
If you’re in a relationship where one person is always “too busy,” something’s off.
Meal prepping, grocery shopping, parenting, laundry—these aren’t one-person jobs.
And being “the provider” doesn’t excuse someone from participation. That mindset is outdated and unhelpful.
Work-life balance isn’t just about how you manage your time. It’s about how you share the load—and how you both show up.
And when that doesn’t happen? Burnout isn’t far behind.
6. Multitasking Isn’t a Superpower—It’s a Survival Skill (And It’s Exhausting)
You’re replying to a work email while cooking dinner.
Folding laundry while listening to your kid’s school story.
Paying bills while mentally meal planning for the next three days.
I can go on and on and on.
As working parents—especially single parents—multitasking has become our normal.
But here’s the thing: it’s not a superpower. It’s a sign that the system around us isn’t working.
Want to stop multitasking and start feeling again?
Try turning your lunch into a moment of actual presence.
Lunch That Loves You Back is the guide I created to make that possible—one bite, one breath, one hour at a time.
We’re not “good at multitasking”—we’re just used to doing too much with too little support.
And while some people wear multitasking like a badge of honor, the truth is:
Multitasking splits your energy, drains your joy, and robs you of presence.
You’re everywhere, doing everything, and still wondering if it’s enough.
But what if balance isn’t about doing more at once…
What if it’s about doing less but more intentionally?
Instead of being just busy, find time to engage in activities that slow down and relax you. If I need to multitask, I listen to audiobooks while preparing a quick serotonin-boosting dinner.
Save it for later!!
7. You Are More Than Busy
You don’t have to perform exhaustion to prove you’re doing your best.
You don’t have to glorify being stretched thin.
Let’s retire “busy” as a personality.
Instead, choose words like present, grounded, connected, joyful, well.
Because busy might get you a paycheck.
But it won’t give you a life.
Want to go deeper into restoring balance?
Start with one of these:
Trade “Busy” for Present, Grounded, and Well
Letting go of busy as your default is about showing up for what truly matters.
It’s about creating space for your real life: your kids, your peace, your presence, and your well-being.
It’s one of the most impactful work-life balance shifts you can start today—by simply noticing when you say “busy” and asking yourself, what do I really need?
If this post made you pause or reflect, share it with another busy parent or overworked friend who could use a reminder to slow down and reconnect with what matters.
Here’s to less busy and more balance,
Mina
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