The Pandemic Productivity Pressure: how to slow down
This pandemic year may leave you in burnout. You feel worthless if you’re not persistently productive. You tend to be ambitious and set higher goals for yourself. You want to achieve this and that, but you feel like you fail if you don’t reach those. Not to mention your friends on social media showing their achievements during the pandemic. It makes you wonder, what have you done so far? You want to achieve those too. Then, you start to jump into several projects to be called ‘productive’. You take language courses, sign up for online classes, join organizations, apply for online internships, and attend competitions and conferences. You are doing several activities at once to be ‘productive’. Is it productive?
You spent every extra hour grinding, performing, and producing. You feel like a failure if you are not productive. You always judge yourself by what you haven’t done rather than what you have accomplished. Is it really called productive or… toxic productivity?
Being productive is good, but you have to know your limit before it turns toxic.
Do you feel your head is always overwhelmed to ‘chase more’ that you forget to appreciate the present time? Why don’t we try to slow down and be gentle to ourselves? Take a deep breath and try to live in the moment.
What about doing something light to freshen your mind? Perhaps your hobby?
Arranging Flowers
You can try arranging flowers. You need flowers (of course), water, and a vase. You don’t have to be a pro. Just do it with your feelings, and it’s gonna be fun! After you’re done, you can put the flowers in your rooms so that they can be your mood-booster throughout the week. Don’t forget to change the water regularly!
Painting by Numbers
You can try painting by numbers. This thing is a hit nowadays. You can buy the set with various sketches available online. All you have to do is to paint according to the number. Doing this can increase dopamine and is an easy way to relieve stress.
Read a Book
You can try to grab a book from your bookshelf. Or, if you don’t have any books at home, try to find a nearby library or bookstore. Maybe pick a fiction book or just pick whatever you like. Simply by opening a book, you allow yourself to enter a new dimension that will distract you from the stresses of everyday life.
Go Outside
Let’s move! You don’t have to set a goal like “I have to workout 30 minutes every day.” Try to set small goals like putting on sweatpants, putting on your shoes, and stepping outside and walking around your neighborhood. If you want an instant refresh, go into nature. It doesn’t have to be a major trip. Just go cycling around your area; perhaps you have a nearby beach or mountain to enjoy.
