Are You Buffering with Busy?

We often do things that feel good to avoid discomfort.

We call them buffering if they don’t feel good and aren’t helpful for long term.

For example we “buffer” uncomfortable feelings with food, alcohol, shopping, and facebook.

We also buffer with “busy.”

“Busy” keeps us from being present.

Being busy keeps us distracted from the discomfort.

But being always busy doesn’t feel good in the long run.

Its exhausting and depleting. It frazzles our nervous systems.

And worst of all, we miss out on the present- which is where the joy is.

We say we want to slow down and be present.

However, when we do, we don’t feel better —- at first.

When we are used to being busy — not being busy feels extremely uncomfortable.

For those of us trained in medicine, feeling uncomfortable is ominous. It portends danger.

In medicine and in American culture, not being busy is also often perceived as complacent, lazy and indulgent.

So we “recreate busy” to feel more comfortable and behave how we think we are supposed to.

The cycle continues.

Until you see it and get help to interrupt it.

Adapting to slow, intentional and being present requires moving through the discomfort.

It requires practice.

And supporting yourself well.

What you practice grows.

With some practice, not being busy feels amazing.