Recently, I posted on TikTok about what I think the “productivity bros” are getting wrong (namely, their insistence on more, better, faster, and eking productivity out of every moment as their life’s purpose).
And I got a comment from a self-described “productivity bro” that humbled me a bit.
It stopped me in my tracks and made me think.
Because here’s what he said:
“I am one of those productivity guys that’s in the middle of burnout…It’s anxiety. What you see is untreated anxiety.”
I’m a little embarrassed that I didn’t think of this.
I was, quite honestly, being a bit judgy in that post about those productivity bros.
And, I’m sorry, because that’s not me and that’s not what I want to put out into the world.
I try to come to every interaction with compassion and non-judgment. It’s one of my goals to help rid the world of productivity-shame. But here I was, judging in the opposite direction.
What that random dude on TikTok made me realize (and never did I think I’d start a sentence that way, but here I am!) is that there’s shame on both sides.
The compulsively doing, and the not doing.
Look, toxic productivity IS a thing.
But, I think what I got wrong was where it was coming from.
So many of us have our self-worth wrapped up in productivity.
And we struggle with perfectionism in the pursuit of self-worth.
And that is a very anxiety-inducing combo.
So, to the productivity bros out there (and anyone else who needs to hear it), I want to say this:
- It’s not your fault you feel the need to always be striving for more, better, faster (it’s capitalism’s!), and you have worth regardless of how productive you are.
- We all have worth, simply for being. You, too.
- And you don’t have to prove a goddamn thing to me.
What will it take to stop feeling like you have to prove so much to yourself?