How Much is Too Much?

 

The world today has become undeniably competitive. In the race towards success, being busy has become a badge of honour. Let it be any area under the sun, one pushes oneself to be relevant and has to be on one’s toes to keep up with the pace. The ‘survival of the fittest’ mindset appears to overpower humans by default. Society seems to reward output over well-being. With that in mind, the good old idea of calm and peaceful life has faded. Forever surrounded by deadlines and to-do lists, we dream big, work hard and never settle. But in the hours between the endless hustles, we tend to forget or even refuse to settle for a well-deserved break.

 

The question then arises- How much is too much? We push ourselves a little more each day, considering burnout as a by-product of ambition. From student life to profession, the glorification of ‘going the extra mile’ has seamlessly integrated itself into every aspect of our life. Managing a multitude of personal and professional duties single-handedly has become the new ideal. Asking for help equals weakness. Amidst all this it is crucial to remember that simple joys such as a long-awaited vacation, an appointment in the spa, a fun movie at the theatres, gardening, cooking, or even a conversation with close ones can recharge your emotional and mental energy. As one grows up, the obsession with trying to be the master of all things slowly binds one in shackles until a part of us is lost...lost somewhere in the sea of monotonous grind.

 

So then we have a corporate employee who once aspired to be a writer; a software developer who used to be a skilled baker and so on. Does striving for financial independence always mean letting go of the dreamer inside of us? When the fine line between passion and pressure blurs, milestones begin to feel like pit stops on a never-ending road. The aftermath? Fulfillment gradually gets replaced with fatigue. The zeal for triumph that once ignited a spark within the soul resemble leafless trees after a perilous storm- drained and eerily silent. In an era where growth brings exhaustion, we need to remind ourselves how important the occasional pauses are. Resting for some time does not reflect weakness, but resembles a courageous act of self respect and productivity. Perhaps the most treasured accomplishments are not in crossing the finish line first but in running the race we choose while savouring every step of the journey. This way, we reclaim creativity and the fullness of life itself. Alan Cohen has aptly said, “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither”.