How to Be Busy: Unhurried Living Even When Your Calendar Is Chaotic
A lighthearted, practical guide for how to find a bit of calm during seasons of life when you simply can't not be busy, from Rachelle Crawford, the author of Messy Minimalism.
How nice it would be to clear the calendar--to just stop doing so much stuff. Except kids get sick and the work project awaits and elderly relatives need care. No matter how well you hack it, manage it, slice or dice or delegate it: in some seasons of life, busyness is a given.
The solution, writes Rachelle Crawford in How to Be Busy, is not to merely declutter your calendar or unsubscribe from the busy life. Because busyness can't always be avoided. Because being in relationship with and caring for others means that some seasons of life are packed. Because sometimes, no matter how many times you say no, you're still swamped.
The trick lies in learning how to be busy. With her signature warmth and laugh-out-loud transparency, Crawford offers sensible pivots and simple practices. You can practice under-committing, learn the fine art of saying no, bubble-wrap your busy seasons, establish a busy protocol, and learn how to eliminate digital distractions. Here are tough-love tips for unhurrying your busy days, ideas for giving a gift to your future stressed-out self, strategies for identifying the season in which you are living, and end-of-chapter tips for how to be busy well.
Busy isn't always the enemy, and a chaotic calendar isn't always a failure. Sometimes a full schedule is simply the result of investing in what matters and doing the right thing. But while busy is a matter of the calendar, hurry is a matter of the heart. Find help for living your deep, meaningful, unhurried life--right in the middle of your busy one.
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Rachelle Crawford is the author of Messy Minimalism and a registered nurse with a bachelor's of science in nursing. She works as a school nurse at the school her children attend. She lives in Michigan with her husband, Paul, and their three children, Jameson, Raegan, and Amelia.
"Finally, a book that addresses the realities of everyday life and the chaos that comes with it! How to Be Busy offers practical strategies to help us slow down and be more intentional about enjoying our lives." --Courtney Carver, founder of Be More with Less; author of Soulful Simplicity, Project 333, and Gentle
"In a world cluttered with distractions, Rachelle Crawford shares a refreshing perspective on time management. How to Be Busy offers a relatable and practical approach to managing our time well during both the slower and busier seasons of life. It's a necessary read for anyone seeking to reclaim their time, energy, and attention for what truly matters." --Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist; author of Things That Matter, The Minimalist Home, and other books
"How to Be Busy offers a refreshing take on time management that values our pursuit of simplicity while honoring the reality that life can't always be (nor should it be) optimized. Crawford reminds us not to miss the beauty that's often hidden in our busyness--for it's how we navigate the seasons of our lives that determines what can add more to our plates than it takes away." --Christine Platt, bestselling author of The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less
"If you are too busy to read this book, then you are the person who needs it the most. Rachelle Crawford brings her lighthearted, shame-free humor to this topic that applies to many of us across the world. She teaches us how to prioritize what matters the most in the seasons of life that feel overly full." --Denaye Barahona, host of Simple Families podcast and author of Simple Happy Parenting
"Rachelle Crawford takes day-to-day small moments and turns them into witty, enlightening, often heartwarming stories that convey a powerful message. How to Be Busy is an important book for those of us navigating busy schedules while also desiring to live intentional and present lives. With grace and humor, Rachelle helps us learn what it means to be busy well." --Erica Layne, author of The Minimalist Way
"In a world where busyness feels like the norm, Rachelle Crawford shows us that we don't have to live life in constant overdrive. Her practical, down-to-earth advice helps you rethink your daily hustle and release the things that no longer serve you. This book offers a refreshing approach to finding calm, and you'll come away with an actionable plan to create margin in your life. If you're ready to stop running on empty and start living with more intention, this is the guide you need." --Dawn Madsen, host of The Minimal Mom Podcast
