Random Tuesday Tidbits: Interesting Articles of the Week

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When I receive more than one insightful, "this made me think of you," "you must read this" article in my inbox in a week, it definitely makes me stop and think. In the past few days, I've been riveted by two such articles that have really made me pause, reflect, and question certain aspects of my life--and I believe that they'll do the same for you. 

So without further ado, lets take a look (and if you've already read these articles, let me know what you thought of them! I'd love to hear your point of view)...

Image via opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com

Article #1: "The Busy Trap" by Tim Kreider, from the New York Times Opinionator blog

When I read this I thought--OMG, he's writing about me. How did he know!? What is wrong with me? Why do I do this? A few striking excerpts that I think are worth reading are below...

If you live in America in the 21st century you’ve probably had to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It’s become the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing: “Busy!” “So busy.” “Crazy busy.”...Notice it isn’t generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the I.C.U. or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs  who tell you how busy they are; what those people are is not busy but 
tired. Exhausted. Dead on their feet. It’s almost always people whose lamented busyness is purely self-imposed: work and obligations they’ve taken on voluntarily, classes and activities they’ve “encouraged” their kids to participate in. They’re busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they’re addicted to busyness and dread what they might have to face in its absence.

Almost everyone I know is busy. They feel anxious and guilty when they aren’t either working or doing something to promote their work. They schedule in time with friends the way students with 4.0 G.P.A.’s  make sure to sign up for community service because it looks good on their college applications. Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.

Um, does that sound like you? It's me! I often do feel somewhat anxious and guilty when I'm not working, and yes, I do schedule in time with friends! 

So what to do? Practice yoga! Practice taking time to relax! Take a nap! Have do-nothing days and be okay with that (even if you do have to schedule them). I must practice more of what I preach, and I encourage those with a similar "busy disease" to do the same. You can read the entire article here--it's a good one, I promise, and definitely made me think :)

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Image via theatlantic.com

Article #2: "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" by Anne-Marie Slaughter, from The Atlantic

Slaughter, the author of this article, is no joke. She was a senior official in the State Department (aka: worked her tail off!) before she decided to return to working at Princeton so that she could be around for her kids. 

In this article, she basically states that what society tells us is possible as women, and what is actually the case, are two very different things. The following paragraphs sum it up well:  

I’d been the one telling young women at my lectures that you can have it all and do it all, regardless of what field you are in. Which means I’d been part, albeit unwittingly, of making millions of women feel that they are to blame if they cannot manage to rise up the ladder as fast as men and also have a family and an active home life (and be thin and beautiful to boot).

I still strongly believe that women can “have it all” (and that men can too). I believe that we can “have it all at the same time.” But not today, not with the way America’s economy and society are currently structured. My experiences over the past three years have forced me to confront a number of uncomfortable facts that need to be widely acknowledged—and quickly changed.

She then goes on to explain all of the ways in which our society, our workforce, and our work ethics have to change in order for women to truly "have it all." It's a VERY provocative article with a lot of wonderful insights and a lot of brutal honesty from a woman who has been there, tried to "have it all," and found it extremely hard--too hard. It's a must-read for women (and men!) of my generation. You can read the entire article here. 

Pretty interesting point of view, huh? Thanks to those who shared these amazing articles with me. Keep em coming!

Here's to a (busy) day of self-reflection (oh no, there I go again!!!!!)...

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

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