Things I Believed Until I Didn't - "If I'm Busy That Must Mean I'm Important"

There was a time when my calendar was so full it looked like a game of Tetris (did I just date myself?)

Back-to-back meetings. Volunteer duties. Social events. Group texts. Work emails. Grocery runs. And don’t forget the gym, the wine night, the dentist appointment I kept rescheduling, and the dozen self-help books sitting on my nightstand whispering, “Read me. You’re not growing fast enough.”

I was exhausted. But I was also so proud of my exhaustion.

I wore “busy” like a badge of honor, like a resume of worthiness. Look how needed I am. Look how full my life is. Look how I never stop.

I believed that being busy meant I was important. That my packed schedule validated me. That slowing down would somehow signal weakness—or worse—irrelevance.

But here's what I’ve learned:

Being busy isn’t the same as being fulfilled.Being needed isn’t the same as being known. And being constantly in motion isn’t the same as moving toward something meaningful.

The truth? My “busy” was a brilliant distraction. It kept me from sitting with the uncomfortable questions. From admitting I didn’t know what I wanted. From acknowledging that somewhere along the way, I had lost touch with what actually mattered to me. I was just trying to do as much as I could to make people think I was important.

The hardest part wasn’t letting go of the schedule. It was letting go of the story I told myself:T hat if I slowed down, I wouldn’t matter.

But now I know: My value doesn’t live in my productivity. My worth isn’t measured in appointments. My importance is not up for debate.

These days, I’m learning to leave blank space on the calendar. To rest without guilt. To pause without panic. To say no, not because I’m too busy—but because I want to be present.

And it turns out… presence is far more powerful than busy ever was.

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates

Call to Action:If you've been measuring your value by how much you can juggle, I invite you to pause. What story are you telling yourself about your worth? And is it still true? Let’s explore that together. I have different offers available that you can find here on my website.

Much love,

Ruthie 🩶