“You cannot enhance your life until you firstly release what burdens you.” ~Unknown
I used to believe that being busy equated to success. My schedule was packed with meetings, alerts, and obligations. My calendar overflowed, yet at night I questioned why I felt drained and unfulfilled.
One gloomy Tuesday, caught in traffic between two events I had no interest in attending, I came to the realization that I wasn’t experiencing my life. I was merely managing it. I occupied my time with motion, but not with meaning. That insight initiated a significant transformation. I started asking: Does this add value to my life?
I discovered how to pinpoint inefficiencies in my life—patterns, commitments, and ways of thinking that consumed my time and energy without returning anything of worth. By releasing them, I created space for what was genuinely important.
When Busyness Became My Norm
My constant busyness sprang from fear—fear of missing opportunities, of letting others down, of confronting my own feelings. Thus, I accepted every task and invitation.
At first, it felt satisfying. I believed I was needed and significant. However, over time, my days turned into a cycle of obligations. Even minor pleasures felt like chores squeezed in between responsibilities.
I started to resent my own existence.
The Inquiry That Altered Everything
Stuck in traffic, I reflected, “If this was my final year, would I choose to spend it this way?” The reply was no.
I initiated an experiment. Before agreeing to anything, I paused and questioned, “Does this add value to my life?” Not “Will this impress?” or “Will this generate income?” Just “Does this sustain me?”
It proved to be more challenging than anticipated. At times, the answer was ambiguous. Sometimes it necessitated saying no to individuals I valued. But a pattern started to unfold.
Discovering What Adds Value
I came to understand that I had no clear definition of what “value” was for me. I had been gauging it against the standards of others. So, I compiled a list of what invigorated me and what left me feeling drained.
Interactions with loved ones, being in nature, and writing energized me. Endless scrolling, reactive emails, and overly packed evenings exhausted me.
It wasn’t flawless, but it was a beginning. For the first time, I identified what revitalized or depleted my energy.
You can try this as well. It’s straightforward yet impactful, and revisiting it consistently will be beneficial as your sense of value evolves with life’s circumstances.
Identifying Life’s Inefficiencies
In life, inefficiencies can be less obvious but significantly detrimental.
My “quiet wastes” included:
Attempting to multitask drained my energy and reduced my productivity.