Image from Bold Academy

At the entrance to all college and university campuses there should be a banner stating “Welcome to college, where everyone is ‘busy.'”

I never thought the concept of being busy was toxic until I saw how it is used at Columbia. Suddenly I was surrounded by some of the most studious, and seemingly intelligent, people in the world. These students take huge course loads, have internships, club affiliations, are on athletic teams, and somehow manage to not blow up. It really is quite amazing. They are overbooked, stretched thin and, based on the merriam-webster definition of the word, busy.

So it is not the word itself that it the problem.

I believe that “busy” has, in many areas similar to Columbia, become a lifestyle. It is used to legitimize being rude to those around you because you are _______ (fill in blank with: stressed, rushed, tired, exhausted, in a hurry, late, busy). “Busy” encourages group panic and self-commiseration. Students hang out in groups and, instead of de-stressing, one up each other for who had the “busiest” week. This makes students who carry a normal course load feel like they are doing something wrong. They ask themselves “Why am I not that stressed? Am I not good enough to be here?” It sounds like a ridiculous question but I have heard it posed to peer counselors, advisors and friends.

The worst result of being “busy” is how it closes doors with friends, colleaugues, and to potential opportunities. When someone declares themselves “busy” they go around in life with blinders on. All that they see is the schedule they have that day, the test coming up, or the promotion they are working towards. Focus is great. Being blind to everything around you alienates you from the world.

I am lucky to be surrounded by friends who have very packed schedules thanks to being the CEO’s of companies, founding non-profits, generally saving the world, etc. However, they do not belong to the cult of “busy.” In contrast to everything above they are kind, compassionate, and always enthusiastic about going out of their way to help a friend. It is possible to fly three red eyes in one week, have zero free time, and yet still have positive interactions with the people you encounter from baggage handlers to corporate executives.

What’s my point? We need to take the negative power away from the word “busy.” Being busy should be a blessing, not a curse. Having a full life is a good thing. Celebrate it.