The Busy Mind: A Paradox

As I sit here, surrounded by the remnants of my productivity — notes scribbled on post-its, half-finished projects strewn across my desk — I can’t help but wonder: am I truly progressing in the direction I want to go, or am I simply hiding behind a facade of busyness?

It’s a strange thing, this relationship between productivity and self-awareness. On one hand, being productive can give us a sense of accomplishment and purpose. On the other hand, it can also serve as a distraction, a way to avoid delving into the depths of our own thoughts and emotions.

I’ve come to realize that there are times when I am so busy, so focused on getting things done, that I don’t allow myself the space to think deeply. I fill my days with work and side projects, filling my calendar with activities as a way to avoid confronting my own thoughts and feelings.

But just as with meditation, where we must clear our minds in order to reach a state of selflessness, we must also make time for contemplative activities such as reading, writing, and walking. It is through these practices that we can create the space to think deeply and truly understand ourselves.

In a world where social media and the internet dominate our attention, we have lost touch with the art of deep thinking. The writers and poets of the past, deprived of these distractions, were forced to confront their thoughts and emotions head-on, putting pen to paper to process their demons.

As for me, I must break out of this cycle of busyness and make the conscious effort to think deeply. Only then can I truly understand and progress in the direction I want to go.

—MXZ+