The Busy Trap: Why We Confuse Activity with Meaning

We just returned from two weeks in Croatia—a glorious break from our usual grind. But what surprised me most wasn’t the turquoise water or the ancient streets. It was a conversation with our tour host that exposed a trap many of us fall into back home: confusing busyness with meaning.

The Adriatic Sea in Croatia

On our boat tour into the Adriatic Sea, our tour host stopped by to chat with us, and we learned that he lived near our hometown for a season as well as in many cities across the U.S. and Canada. When asked why he went back to Croatia, his reply was simple: he didn’t enjoy the pace of life in North America.

Work to Live, or Live to Work

He described living in much of Europe with the focus “Working to Live”, while North American culture as, “Living to Work.”

He explained that life in Croatia is focused on family and the joys of life, not the constant work that becomes a badge of honour. Their days begin earlier, their school days are shorter, and they take their time at meals with friends and family. It sounds appealing, doesn’t it?

A side street in Zagreb, Croatia

For most of us in the U.S. and Canada, we fall into the category of living to work. Work is our identity. Think about how you introduce yourself to someone new and how quickly this question is asked, “What do you do?” or “Where do you work?” Work is what takes the biggest chunk of our schedule and shapes who we are.

By no means would I suggest you give up work and live life on the shores of the nearest beach or tucked away in a mountain cabin, no matter how appealing that is. 

We are called to work. It’s a directive in our lives. Work is a responsibility. It’s a means to support and, essentially, bankroll the life we want to live.

But working is different from being busy. Work is our responsibility. Being busy is a choice and a consequence of our actions. 

Consider how often you hear a coworker venting about how busy they are. How many times have you tried to schedule an event with someone, only to be met with a busy response: “Sure, I have between 2 pm and 3:30 pm on the Saturday in seven weeks.” 

Junk Food Activity

Think of Work as Sustenance, while Busy is Junk Food Activity.

Colourful, but unhealthy.

Being busy, or Junk Food Activity, doesn’t equate to meaning in your life. It might sparkle and come in a nice colourful package, but it doesn’t necessarily add value. Like junk food, busyness gives the illusion of satisfaction but leaves you drained and craving more.

Joshua Fields Millburn of The Minimalists frequently asks, “Does this add value to my life?” It’s a question I have come to ask in my own life, and I have come to the conclusion that very little actually adds value to my life. Just like having ‘stuff’ for the sake of having ‘stuff’ doesn’t add value, being busy for the sake of being busy doesn’t add value to my life. Your calendar doesn’t need to be full.

Promotion: Consider Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

Say No to Junk Food Activity

What fills your schedule?

More than once, I have stopped to look at my calendar and questioned why it’s full. It’s taken time, but I have learned to say “No.” That little word is extremely powerful. It helps bring balance, and it helps set boundaries. I don’t need to feel bad for saying no. In fact, simply not wanting to do something is enough reason (sometimes) to say no. But if the activity or event is meaningful or adds value, then dive in.

Promotion: Consider Essentialism by Greg McKeown

And ask yourself: where are you confusing activity with meaning?

Busyness isn’t a badge of honour. Busyness is a burden we put on ourselves. Choose meaning over motion. Choose presence over pace. Live simply, be deliberate, and stay curious.

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