Rest! Redefine Productivity and Challenging it
I think a common notion that comes up with folks is the idea of productivity and how it can be a double-edged sword. We always view productivity as a positive thing, but if we fail to meet expectations or feel it’s not ‘enough’, it tends to affect our mood. In most cases (at least for me growing up Asian), productivity also means work, and if we aren’t productive, we’re lazy. This notion is common in Western culture, especially with capitalism.
Although productivity can feel good, the idea of it can negatively impact people who feel they aren’t doing enough or being compared to others. First off, we need to realize that we need to either redefine productivity or challenge the societal ideas and expectations of it.
For example, a lot of capitalistic culture or culture that focuses solely on productivity and work and casts out the notions of enjoying life, fun, and being alive can be a toxic viewpoint. People can view others or even themselves as being worthless if they aren’t doing something considered “productive.” Sometimes society and establishments can make people feel like their worth is tied to how productive they are and contributing to society, which can lead to hostility to others. The reality is don’t we all have the right to live. Isn’t being alive enough?
What does it even mean to redefine or challenge productivity? First of all, realizing that productivity can be seen as rest, having fun, doing your hobbies, etc. Instead of looking at productivity as something painful and work, viewing it more as something that makes us feel good.
Rest is productive because how can we do things we enjoy if we’re burnt out and tired? Rest and taking care of ourselves helps us function and not to just do work but to live. When we rest we have to not just physically rest but mentally as well. Rest can be to napping, vegging out to a show, or anything that feels relaxing to recharge us both physically and mentally.
Another thing is that being productive can be just enjoying our hobbies, such as finishing a game, a book, an art piece, cooking a meal, etc. You don’t have to think of just doing homework, chores, your job, etc, as productive. Expand your definition of productivity as something that fulfills you mentally as well.
Of course, rest, work, and play need a good balance. We don’t want to bed rot, especially if it doesn’t make us feel better. It takes time to navigate through the challenges of our relationship with productivity and finding what works for us.
