The Pressure of Productivity
The world is in a strange place today. With Coronavirus cases all over the globe, the lives of millions of families, elders, workers, students, and more are changing rapidly and inconceivably. And amidst it all, there is a constant reminder to continue with life as normal. Is this an unrealistic expectation others have for us, or that we have for ourselves? Let’s explore.
Being a student now at home and taking online classes, I am struggling with the definition of productivity. As I am socially distancing and haven’t left my house in five weeks, except for a walk around my neighborhood, my social life is basically nonexistent. FaceTime calls and Netflix parties can only fill up so much time in a day! Before, the natural routine of going to class, hanging out with friends, and going to on-campus events would fill up a good chunk of my day. Without all that, I find myself having a lot more time to do anything I want. However, a lot of that time gets consumed by doing more work! Yes, studying more, writing more, applying for more jobs, you name it! There is pressure to stay productive even when the world has been turned on its head.
I’ve been trying to figure out why myself and so many other people feel this. I believe it plays into the guilt a lot of may have already had for having “me time” or taking a break. With social events either canceled or being held virtually, it feels like we have no choice but to work because what else is there to do? In reality, it could be time to relax.
This leads to my next reason: there’s a pressure to be productive in any way we can because there are so many people who don’t have that choice. Healthcare professionals, sanitation workers, grocery-store employees, etc. all have to work, some even working more hours than before while processing everything that is going on. When I stay productive in my own ways, it feels like I’m doing something to help. Truthfully, I feel a little helpless sometimes. There are so many people struggling in so many different ways, so being productive when it comes to school or career goals can help me feel like I still have something to contribute. Yet, what’s really making a difference is staying home as much as possible and keeping distance from others—all things that don’t fit into my previous definition of “productivity.”
I also think being productive keeps some semblance of the routine I used to have. While I may be overworking some days, I just have a lot of regular school work to get done other days! I do fear letting myself relax because I’m worried it will be a lot harder to get motivated again. Especially being home, it feels all too easy to slip back into my summer routine of waking up at 1 pm and watching movies all night when, in reality, I have class the next morning.
But at the end of the day, I have to ask myself: is this making me happy? The answer is no. Constantly working isn’t making me feel better about the state our world is in. I think some ways to combat this would be to once again challenge the definition of productivity. It can include
researching organizations to donate to, whether it be a place like a local hospital, a food pantry, or a global charity.
checking in on friends and family who are alone or that you haven’t talked to in a while.
spreading awareness about ways to stay safe during COVID-19
sharing facts and reputable articles.
posting resources for others who might need them, whether that be WiFi deals for students or helpline numbers.
And maybe, productivity doesn’t have to be anything I stated above besides getting out of bed as much as you can, thinking about one thing you’re grateful for, and trying your best. Doing what we can the best we can is something we all need to do to fight together, and I truly believe we can all do our part for the greater good.
