If you had asked me a few years ago what my secret to success was, I’d have told you, hands down, that it was productivity. I was obsessed. I mean, who wasn’t? The hustle culture was in full swing, and I bought into it whole heartedly. If I wasn’t ticking things off my to do list, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough, like I wasn’t good enough. Every moment of my day was crammed with tasks, plans, and deadlines. My life was a race, and I was determined to keep running.
But here’s the thing: I wasn’t winning the race. In fact, I was burning out. And I was missing out on something I didn’t even realise I had lost – peace.
My time in an MLM (multi-level marketing) was a huge part of my productivity addiction. At first, it felt like the dream – building my own business, setting my own schedule, and being surrounded by a constant stream of motivational quotes and success stories. But the reality was different. I found myself caught in a cycle of relentless hustle, always pushing for the next sale, the next recruit, the next milestone. There was always an urgency to do more, to prove that I was working hard enough, to show that I was productive. I started to tie my self-worth to my success in the business, and if I wasn’t constantly achieving, I felt like I was failing. This pressure left me burnt out and disconnected from what truly mattered. It was through this experience that I realised how toxic the hustle culture can be, and how it was keeping me from living a life I truly wanted. Stepping away from the MLM was the first step in reclaiming my time (and noticing what a massive red flag the entire thing is), slowing down, and embracing a more intentional way of living.
And here’s the kicker – when you see people online glorifying this way of working, with their endless posts about their “online businesses” and how much money they are making… run in the other direction! There’s nothing glamorous about being part of a cult, being brainwashed to ignore red flags or burning yourself out to keep up with an ideal that doesn’t truly serve your wellbeing. Hustle culture can seem seductive, but it’s built on unrealistic expectations and pressures that only lead to exhaustion. Trust me when I say, it’s not the path to true success or fulfillment.
I look back now, and I can hardly recognise the person I was. And I’m proud of that. I’ve learned that being productive doesn’t mean you’re living your best life, and that slow can be just as powerful, if not more. So, if you’re caught up in the whirlwind of productivity and feeling like you can’t slow down, keep reading – this might be just the nudge you need to start embracing a slower, simpler, and more intentional way of living.
The Addiction to Productivity
It all started innocently enough. I was juggling multiple projects, running a business, and trying to balance everything else life threw at me. At first, it felt like a badge of honour. The more I did, the more I achieved, the more successful I felt. Productivity was the magic ingredient that could solve all of my problems. But that idea quickly spiralled into an unhealthy obsession.
I started to view every free minute as wasted time. Every break I took felt like I was falling behind. I had this internal pressure that I needed to be constantly working, always improving, always doing. The busier I was, the more important I felt. But deep down, I was exhausted. My body and mind were telling me to slow down, but I wasn’t listening.
I began to measure my worth by how much I could accomplish in a day. If I didn’t finish everything on my list, I’d feel like I’d failed. This constant race against time didn’t leave room for rest, reflection, or even enjoyment. And let me tell you – it wasn’t sustainable.
The Wake-Up Call
It wasn’t until I hit a wall that I realised something needed to change. I’d burned myself out and found myself utterly drained, both physically and emotionally. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled or productive; I was just tired. It was in this moment of exhaustion that I had to confront a hard truth: my addiction to productivity was keeping me from truly living.
I started asking myself some tough questions: What am I really working for? Is this constant need to do more actually making me happy? The truth was, I had been so busy chasing the next task that I wasn’t paying attention to the life that was passing me by. I wasn’t present in the moments that mattered most – with my family, in nature, and with myself.
So, I made a choice. I decided to step back, slow down, and reassess my priorities. It wasn’t easy – in fact, it was uncomfortable at first. But as I started embracing a slower pace, something magical began to happen: I found peace.
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Shifting from “Doing” to “Being”
It’s hard to break the habit of doing all the time, especially when we’re constantly told that being productive equals being successful. But here’s what I’ve realised: living is not about doing. It’s about being. Being present. Being intentional. Being connected.
Instead of focusing on how much I could do, I started to focus on how I could live. I started saying no to things that didn’t align with my values, and saying yes to the things that brought me joy and peace. I let go of the constant pressure to be achieving something and instead embraced the beauty of doing things simply because they felt good.
One of the biggest changes I made was integrating more slow, simple, and seasonal living into my life. I began to recognise the importance of slowing down and honouring the rhythms of nature. I embraced the seasons and their natural flow, allowing myself to rest when winter called for it and energising myself during the longer, brighter days of summer. I started aligning my routines with the changing seasons, and suddenly, my life felt more balanced and in tune with the world around me.
This shift allowed me to reconnect with what truly mattered. I could be more present with my family. I could enjoy the small moments. I could make space for creativity, for joy, and for rest. And guess what? My work improved, too. By slowing down, I became more focused and intentional, and my creativity flourished. I realised that when I prioritised rest and self-care, my productivity was better – not because I was doing more, but because I was doing it with more clarity and purpose.
Embracing the “In-Between” Moments
One of the most profound changes I made was learning to embrace the “in-between” moments. The moments that feel like wasted time but are actually where life happens. The moments when you sit quietly with a cup of tea and let your mind wander. The moments when you take a deep breath and simply be.
In our society, we’ve been conditioned to fill every gap with “doing”. But what I’ve learned is that those quiet, still moments are the ones that nurture your soul. It’s in those pauses that we reconnect with ourselves, where we find clarity, and where creativity is born.
I’ve learned to appreciate the art of slowing down, of sitting with discomfort, of letting go of the pressure to constantly be doing. It’s been a game changer for me. And honestly, it’s something I’m still working on – but it’s a journey I’m deeply grateful for.
What’s Changed?
Here’s what’s changed: I no longer define my worth by how much I can get done. I’ve shifted from chasing productivity to living with intention. I’ve made space for rest, for reflection, and for being present in the everyday moments. And you know what? I’m happier. I’m more creative. And I’m more fulfilled.
Don’t get me wrong – there’s still a time and place for productivity. I’m not saying we should all stop working hard or setting goals. But I’ve learned that we can work smarter, not harder, and that rest, reflection, and presence are just as important as productivity.
If you’re feeling stuck in the productivity trap, I want you to know it’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to let go of the hustle. It’s okay to embrace the beauty of the in-between moments. And when you do, I promise you’ll find a life that’s not only more balanced but also more meaningful.
Because here’s the thing: life is about so much more than ticking off a to-do list. It’s about being…being present, being intentional, and being in tune with the world around you.
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