“How are you?”
Somewhere in between graduating university and securing a job that didn’t include the words ‘entry level’, I learnt to answer that question with a single word: “busy”.
It seemed like every important person I had met said it. Being busy meant being important, motivated, in hot demand. Busy people juggled charity dinners and three hour workouts and an array of clean, well-mannered children. Busy people were the pinnacle of clever.
I loved saying that I was busy.
It was exhilarating at first – I felt like some kind of professional woman, a corporate lady, a holder of suitcases and wearer of heels. I was important and grown up and very, very busy.
But as I got older, life actually did become busy… and then I didn’t enjoy answering that question quite as much as I used to.
In the last few years, this little four-lettered word has gathered big attention.
Everyone from job recruiters to psychologists preach the shortcomings of saying that you're 'busy'. It indicates that you're tired, stressed, or overworked; and doesn't quite achieve the desired effect I sought as a younger person. It doesn't make you sound impressive - it just makes you look like you're struggling.
And yet, in 2016, many really do feel overwhelmed with life - we are working longer and harder, struggling to keep up. Globalisation and the creation of an online environment has brought greater levels of social comparison than ever before; and for many, it seems like we just can't get ahead.