How to Create a Life That’s Full—Not Just Busy
The Moment That Made Me Pause
A few months ago, a mentor of mine posted on social media how grateful she was that her life didn’t feel “busy,” but rather “full.” It stopped me dead in my tracks. I really had to think about how I would describe my life. And more often than not, I’d likely say “busy.”
But – as any good life coach would – I challenged myself to think about how I’d like to describe my life.
For years, I’ve been drawn to a particular scripture verse, John 10:10: “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly” – or as some translations say, “to the full.”
I’ve said for years that I desire this “more abundant life” or “life to the full,” and I don’t believe that it’s only reserved for life after our earthly existence. I want to have a life that feels “full” not merely “busy.” And I realized that I have power to make that shift.
And the first step was looking deeply at why busyness is so entrenched in our culture – and in my life.
Why We’re Addicted to Busyness
Modern life has a way of convincing us that being busy means being successful. “How busy we are” can become a tacit competition, as though there’s a prize for who can handle the most.
In a culture that measures value by output, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking more is always better. For many of us, personality plays a role in this too. I’ll own it—productivity is one of my top needs, and Achiever® is one of my top CliftonStrengths. That means I thrive on getting things done, but it also means I can struggle with feeling ‘enough’ if I’m not checking things off my list.
We also live in a culture that values speed. Faster is always better—at least, that’s what we’re told. We’re surrounded by promises of same-day delivery, overnight success, and time-saving hacks for fixing everything from relationships to retirement plans. The pressure to do more, faster, seeps into every part of life, making slowness feel like a flaw rather than a choice. And because technology allows us to be constantly connected, the expectation to respond immediately—to emails, texts, or tasks—only amplifies the urgency.
But in the rush to keep up, we rarely stop to ask: Is all this speed actually getting me where I want to go?
And then there are the realities of life and managing multiple priorities. We have jobs that require a lot of us, kids who need us, parents we’re caring for, volunteer activities that fill up our calendars. Combine that with our desire to be dependable and helpful to others, and it’s no wonder that we get glued to the treadmill of busyness.
But while busyness may be the norm, it comes at a cost—a cost we often don’t recognize until we’re already running on empty.
The Hidden Cost of a Busy Life
It’s no secret that living in a constant state of busyness takes a toll. When we’re always rushing, we lose more than just time—we lose connection with ourselves and with what matters most. Relationships suffer, joy feels fleeting, and clarity about our deepest priorities slips away.
We wear our busyness like a badge of honor, but beneath it all, we often feel drained, disconnected, and even a little lost.
I mentioned that being productive is one of my top needs. But my deepest need is to be centered. When busyness takes over my life, that sense of balance and peace is the first to go. And when that is disrupted, nothing quite feels right in my life.
Chronic busyness can even impact our health, contributing to stress, burnout, and a sense of emotional depletion. And who among us hasn’t made a relatively minor health issue worse because we’re “just too busy to go to the doctor?”
Busy vs. Full: What’s the Difference?
The truth is, busyness and fullness are not the same thing. Here’s the shift that I’ve been working on: a busy life isn’t necessarily a fulfilling one. Busyness is about doing more, while fullness is about living more deeply. A full life doesn’t mean cramming every moment with activity; it means creating space for what truly matters. Being busy fills your calendar; being full fills your soul.
How to Shift from Busy to Full
For me, shifting from busy to full is partly about what I’m doing (or not doing), and partly about how I’m doing it. I’ve made a few tweaks to my schedule and set some better boundaries around my time. This has allowed me to slow my pace just a bit and claim time for me. I’ve also been working on being intentional with the things I’m doing. Instead of just rushing through one thing to get to the next, I’m focusing my attention on experiencing and enjoying the fullness of the person or task in front of me.
So let me ask you…what would a full life look like for you? Is it more time for the people and activities that bring you joy? A greater sense of purpose in your work? Or maybe just the freedom to pause and truly savor the moment you’re in?
The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck in the busyness trap. It is possible to live differently—to trade exhaustion for intention and distraction for meaning. But how?
A Simple Exercise to Get Started
If you’re wondering where busyness is sneaking into your life—and what fullness could look like instead—try this simple reflection exercise. This is a simple yet powerful way to begin identifying where you can make a shift.
Grab a journal (or a scrap of paper, no perfection required!) and take 10 minutes to explore the difference. Divide the page into two columns. At the top of the left column, write “Busy” and at the top of the right column, write “Full.”
In the “Busy” column, jot down everything that feels like it’s crowding your time and energy—the things that leave you feeling drained or overwhelmed. Then, in the “Full” column, write down the things that make you feel alive, connected, and at peace. Take a moment to reflect on the differences between the two lists. Are there activities or commitments in the “Busy” column that you could let go of to make more room for the things in the “Full” column?
Your Invitation to a Fuller Life
That’s exactly the question I’ll be exploring in my upcoming free masterclass, From Busy to Full: 3 Steps to Create Space for What Matters. This session is all about helping you take a step back, reflect on your current rhythms, and discover simple, practical ways to create more space for what truly matters in your life.
In the masterclass, I’ll walk you through three simple but powerful steps to break free from the busyness trap and create a life that feels truly full
I can promise you this: the shift from busy to full is not only possible, it’s transformational!
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start living with greater clarity, purpose, and joy, I invite you to join me. This masterclass will give you tools to begin making that shift…and maybe even inspire you to look at your life a little differently.
Let’s not just manage busyness—let’s redefine what a truly full life looks like.
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