In America, we wear “busy” like a badge of honor.
Ask someone how they’re doing, and the answer is often a sigh followed by, “Oh, just so busy.” We equate packed schedules with purpose, exhaustion with productivity, and overwhelm with importance. Somewhere along the line, we started confusing being busy with being worthy.
But what if we’ve got it all backward?
The Culture of Constant Doing
Our country celebrates hustle. We glorify overwork, multitasking, and the idea that “rest is for the weak.” Social media feeds us highlight reels of 4 a.m. gym sessions, back-to-back meetings, side hustles, and endless to-do lists, all under the banner of ambition and success.
But look a little closer, and you’ll see the cracks: rising anxiety, chronic illness, emotional burnout, disconnection. We’re living in a society that’s sprinting toward burnout, and calling it achievement.
What Other Countries Get Right
Travel beyond U.S. borders and you’ll notice something radically different. In Spain, the afternoon siesta isn’t laziness, it’s rhythm. In Italy, a two-hour lunch with friends is not indulgent, it’s necessary. In Japan, forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) is considered a form of therapy. In Denmark, hygge, “the art of cozy contentment,” is practically a national value.
These cultures recognize that rest isn’t the reward after the work is done. Rest is part of the work. It fuels clarity, creativity, and connection. They’ve built this into their lifestyles, and their health and happiness reflect it.
What Self-Care Actually Means
Let’s be clear: self-care isn’t just bubble baths and scented candles. It’s learning to say no. It’s choosing presence over performance. It’s making space for movement, meals that nourish you, meaningful relationships, and yes, stillness.
You don’t need permission to slow down.
You need courage.
Because in a culture that tells you to go-go-go, choosing rest is rebellion. And rebellion, in this case, might just save your life.
Your Gentle Call to Action:
Take one thing off your plate this week and replace it with something that feeds your soul. A walk. A nap. A quiet meal. A deep breath.
And if you’re not sure where to begin, you’re not alone. I help women (and a few brave men) rewire their mindset around worth, wellness, and rest. If this article sparked something in you, let’s talk.
971-388-1237
Optimalcoachingservices@gmail.com