From Busy to Bliss

Bliss

If I had a dollar for every time I said, “I'm sorry, I’ve just been so busy,” I could probably retire early and hire someone else to do my busy for me.

We say it all the time, don’t we?

“How have you been?”

“Oh, you know… busy.” "Crazy busy" "Can't seem to get caught up."

Somewhere in my past (and a lot of people's), busy became something to be proud of. Like a badge of honor.

We fill our calendars to the edges, multitask through meals, and wear exhaustion like proof that we’re doing life right. We're important.

But here’s what I’ve learned — busy doesn’t always mean content or fulfilled.

For years, I measured my worth by how much I could juggle. The reports I created, the calls I returned, the projects I completed. The endless list of things checked off my to-do list before I finally sat down at night. I told myself I was thriving. But underneath it, I was exhausted.

Busy gave me a sense of control, but it also disconnected me — from my health, my joy, and myself.

The Shift That Changed Everything

My shift from busy to bliss didn’t come from quitting everything or escaping to a yoga retreat (although a yoga retreat in Bali would have been nice!). It started small and I honestly can't tell you when or why.

I just started telling myself I could slow down or heaven forbid, even say no to someone. 

I learned to sit with my coffee in silence (without checking email).

I learned to say no without guilt.

Permission to pause.

To take a breath before reacting.

And in those pauses, something beautiful happened: I relaxed and took a breath.

What Bliss Really Means

Bliss isn’t about being happy all the time. It’s about being awake to your life.

It’s laughing more, worrying less, and realizing that doing less doesn’t mean you are less.

It’s reclaiming the pieces of yourself that got lost in the noise and enjoying the beauty.

Are You Stuck in Busy…

Try this today:

Ask “Why?” before every new commitment. Do I really need to commit to this?

Schedule ten minutes of nothing — and protect it fiercely. Hide in a closet if you need to. Sit in your car alone. Sometimes I take the long way home just to wind down and have some "me" time.

Remember: you don’t have to earn your rest.

The world won’t fall apart when you slow down - I promise!

Sometimes, that’s exactly when life starts to come together.

So the next time someone asks, “How have you been?” — try this instead:

“I’ve been peaceful.”

“I’ve been present.”

Maybe even… “I’ve been blissful.”

Because you, my friend, were never meant to live just busy.

You were meant to live blissfully.

Much love and bliss to all,

Ruthie 🧡