The Cult of Busy

Dre Erwin
13 hours ago
2 min read

Stop Wearing Your Burnout Like a Badge of Honor

If I ask you "How are you?", I bet $100 your answer will be some version of: "Good! Just... busy. So busy. Crazy busy."

When did "busy" become the only acceptable answer? When did we decide that if you aren't drowning in work, you aren't succeeding?

Vibrant green Northern Lights swirl over a calm lake at night. A tree silhouette is visible on the left. Signature reads "Dan Zinn Photography." — Nature doesn't hurry, yet everything gets accomplished

The "Cult of Busy"

We live in a culture that is obsessed with the Hustle. We treat exhaustion like a status symbol. If you got 4 hours of sleep, you’re dedicated. If you worked through lunch, you’re a hard worker. If you have zero free time, you’re "important."

I’m calling it out: It’s a trap.

The Nurse’s Perspective

I didn't just stumble onto this idea. As a nurse working in Northern Saskatchewan, I’ve seen what stress does to the human body. Science actually backs this up: studies show that constant "busyness" keeps your cortisol spiked, which destroys your immune system.

I used to be a card-carrying member of the "Cult of Busy." I thought downtime was wasted time. But after years of exploring how photography heals trauma—a journey I shared in my documentary A New Lens on Life—I learned a hard truth:

You cannot pour from an empty cup. You certainly can't be creative, kind, or happy when your brain is running on caffeine and anxiety.

Need a reminder to slow down? Download my 'Calm Sky' screensaver pack for free.

The "Do Nothing" Challenge

So, here is my unpopular opinion: Doing nothing is productive.

Staring at the ceiling? Productive.
Sitting on a park bench without checking your phone? Productive.
Watching a movie without "multitasking" on your laptop? Productive.

Your brain needs to idle to prevent the engine from overheating. Research on Ecotherapy proves that just looking at nature restores attention and lowers blood pressure.

Tree silhouetted against a vibrant sunset over a calm lake. The sky reflects golden and blue hues. Signature at bottom: Dee Ervin Photography. — This is what my brain looks like when I stop answering emails.

The Verdict

Next time someone asks how you are, try saying: "I'm actually really rested."

Watch the look of confusion on their face. It’s priceless.

Stop grinding. Start living. The emails will still be there tomorrow, but your sanity might not be.

P.S. If you have trouble slowing down, I captured some of that silence in my prints. You can bring that energy into your home by browsing the High Res Digital Collection now