Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of breaking free from the societal pressure of constant busyness and reconnecting with one's natural rhythm to live a more fulfilling life.

Abstract

The author reflects on the societal illusion of "not having time," suggesting that our obsession with being in a rush is detrimental to our well-being. Drawing from personal experiences during a trip to Costa Rica, the author admires the sloth's peaceful existence and contrasts it with our own hurried lives. The article advocates for the necessity of saying "no" to the demands of a time-starved society, proposing that by working at our own pace and prioritizing our time, we can lead a life of abundance and contribute positively to the world. It argues that overworking and constant productivity are not prerequisites for success or quality work, and that taking time for reflection and personal care is essential for true creativity and contribution.

Opinions

The author believes that the societal construct of time as a luxury is a delusion that needs to be challenged.
Observing a sloth's unhurried and content nature in Costa Rica, the author posits that animals like sloths seem to have and enjoy their time, unlike humans.
The article suggests that by rejecting the pressure to rush and multitask, individuals can focus on one task at a time, leading to more meaningful and less stressful work.
It is expressed that sacrificing personal time for work can lead to a depleted state, which in turn affects one's environment and the quality of contributions made to it.
The author emphasizes that constant hard work is not inherently necessary and may be a response to societal pressure rather than one's natural inclination.
The article criticizes the lack of reflection and self-awareness in a constantly busy lifestyle, likening it to living programmed or robotic lives.
The author advocates for the importance of taking time to process experiences, develop self-awareness, and engage in creative endeavors without the constraints of time.
A key opinion is that by choosing to slow down and align with one's natural rhythm, individuals can offer their best selves to their work and personal lives, ultimately creating more value in the world.

Do You Still Know What’s Your Natural Rhythm or Have You Got Addicted to Being in a Rush?

We are fed the illusion of “Not having time”, but we can say no

Trips are often ground for shifts in perspective. During my trip to Costa Rica, a sensation I had crystallized into a knowing: By abiding by the law of “being in a rush” and “not having time” we are building a world that is crushing us. Furthermore, most of the measures that are offered as solutions to the subsequent stress and burnout are just palliatives to keep us going. The illusion of “not having time” is, in my opinion, one of our society’s greatest delusions and disservices, and here’s why.

I Wish I Was a Sloth, and Maybe You Should, Too

When I was in Costa Rica, I hoped to see a Sloth. The Sloth has always been one of my favorite animals, because it’s just…there, peacefully hanging on trees with that perennial wise smile. It’s content, absorbed in a slow-motion delight, and it seems to be appreciating every inch of its paced movements.

Toward the end of my trip, I did see a Sloth knotted up on a tree, soft and calm, taking its time to find the perfect position among the branches to rest for the following few hours. By observing that creature and the surrounding luscious, gravid, unruled, and perfectly harmonious nature, I knew more exactly what the cause of my Sloth’s fatal attraction was: It looked like it had TIME, and sure as hell it was luxuriating in it. It was basking in pure existence, making art of just BEING.

That’s right because in our society time is a luxury, isn’t it? And we are so used to throwing that sentence out in small talk conversations that we don’t even question it anymore. But WHY does time have to be a luxury? Why are we believing it and therefore perpetuating it? Who said things should be this way?

I came back from my trip and, of course, all the work left behind and all the sessions with my clients I had lined up demanded my attention, and rightly so. But within myself, a new consciousness had taken roots.

It was time to say NO to No-Time.

It was time to refuse to believe that now I had to rush through everything that had piled up during my absence, wearing myself thin. No. I would dedicate my attention to one thing at a time. I would go at my pace, and I would postpone, delegate or cancel what didn’t fit or align with it.

Would that mean less money? Maybe. For the time being. But is not by saying yes to everything that I will build for myself a life of abundance. Nor that will be how I bring abundance to my clients and the world around me. If I am depleted, I will suck the energy out of my environment and give back stress, instead of giving back goodness after I replenish myself by taking my time.

We grow into the illusion that to do our best work we should work “hard” — meaning A LOT and CONSTANTLY. But that’s not true. If that’s someone’s nature to do so, so be it, but not as a response to the system’s pressure. When you are working that way, what are you responding to? Your nature or a message you more or less consciously internalized?

Probabilities are that you don’t know, and you don’t know because you never STOPPED to question it. If we don’t step back, if we don’t pause, we just run by default living an unconscious life. It’s like we are programmed, like robots. And the worst part is that all along we think we are choosing how we live.

We think we are awake when in fact we are sleeping.

If I envision my future, I see how I want to work. I have the time to cuddle my pet, kiss my partner, listen to my kids or look out of the window, gazing at nowhere for a little while (or a long while if I can!). Why not?

The intense concentration and overtime productivity we are demanded to squeeze out of our lives deprive us of the time for reflection, the time for processing and developing awareness of our inner states.

So, I say NO because I want to do my best work. I want to offer the best part of my creative, nurturing soul to myself and others, and I want to create value and bring space and time to the world.

I need it, WE need it.

So I ask you: What do you see if you envision your future, opening your mind to endless possibilities? What are you doing? What is your pace, your rhythm? How do you feel? And how much this vision matches your present reality?

The good news is: We do have a choice. It doesn’t have to be like this. It doesn’t have to be “go go go” and “more more more”. It’s not serving us, it’s not serving society, it’s not serving our contribution to the world.

We need time to reflect and digest, elaborate and give back. We need the time to go deeper, nurture, and let the seeds of renewal sprout and blossom.