Rushing Roulette
Why we hurry and is it in your best interest to slow down?
Despite its name, hurry sickness is not an official diagnosis. You won’t find it in the DSM-V, the go-to compendium of mental disorders, nor will your insurance company cover you if you seek help for it. Yet, the pressing need to rush through tasks and make the most of every moment can impact many people – and not for the better. The following is a brief synopsis of the reasons we Americans rush through life, the cost of doing so, and what can be done to rein life back into the present moment.
The Illusion of Immortality: Rushing Against the Clock
When urgency-living masquerades as efficiency, you may not realize anything’s wrong. Below are some misconceptions about the benefits of playing Rushing Roulette.
1. Mortality Awareness
Tick-tock. The clock signals a reality many of us would prefer to ignore: our days are not unlimited. The awareness of mortality gnaws at our psyche. We rush, not merely to meet deadlines, but to outpace the inexorable march of time. We collect moments like we collect rare coins, hoping they’ll buy us eternity. Spoiler alert: they don’t. There’s a better way to squeeze the most out of life and scrambling isn’t one of them. Read on.
2. The Acquisition Myth
Possessions become talismans against oblivion. We amass wealth, status, and experiences—each acquisition a defiant shout: “I exist!” The bigger house, the faster car, the designer watch—they’re not just objects; they’re our battle cries against the void. We believe that accumulation somehow cheats death, as if the universe keeps score. This is unconscious, of course. Intellectually we all know better but somewhere internally, we keep buying things.
3. The Illusion of Control
Rushing is our desperate attempt to wrestle control from chaos or disappointment. We sprint through life, believing that speed equals authority over life. Being in constant motion is a widely used defense mechanism against loneliness, boredom, or emptiness.
4. The Fear of Irrelevance
We fear fading into obscurity. Most of us want to be remembered, missed by those we leave behind. Making our mark is one way we hedge against feeling invisible.
5. The Myth of Completion
We chase after tasks, goals, and achievements, as if – if we do enough of this – we will have “arrived.” Not so. The more we accomplish, the farther the goal post moves. This is life. Totally natural. There is no there there, only here, now. Goals are fine, constructive even. However, thinking we will get to the end point of our desires and then feel a sense of completion is more myth than truth.
6. Embracing the Present
Living in the present moment is essential because it anchors us in the now, allowing us to engage with life as it moves and unfolds. It helps reduce stress and anxiety by shifting the focus away from past regrets and future worries.
How to Cope
A) Mindfulness – Pause and take stock of the present moment. Take as deep a breath as you can and consider the urgency of your situation.
B) Prioritize – Everything may be important but not everything is urgent. Practice setting realistic goals and saying small Nos.
C) Unplug – Limit digital distractions. Pay attention to where your thoughts go. If they go into comparison to others, especially on social media, try to redirect and reframe your negative thinking. Remember your individuality.
D) Self-Compassion – Be as kind to yourself as you can. You don’t have to do it all.
Remember, slowing down doesn’t mean being less productive. It means being more intentional and taking care of your wellbeing.