12 Comments

It’s very interesting to look at it this way…I’m in the same boat but I consider productivity a temporary way to cover for unmet needs…chasing after meeting your needs will not get them fulfilled, unfortunately, because there are too many variables you depend on…for productivity you only depend on yourself and making it happen is rewarding…So, it’s probably more about being aware of your needs and on the lookout for opportunities to meet them while you’re being productive…

Expand full comment
author

I understand exactly what you're saying. Covering our deeper needs with productivity is more reliable than getting say, external validation. But I find even better than productivity is healing our wounding and giving ourselves the love we never got. At least for me. But I still use productivity daily as a feel-good drug.

Expand full comment
May 16Liked by Ryan Delaney

I appreciate your honesty, Ryan, about sharing your struggle with tying self-worth to getting things done. I agree that we need a pause to reflect on what truly drives us and to find peace in just being, rather than constantly doing. Thanks for sharing these thoughts—it's a journey so many of us can relate to.

Expand full comment
author

I appreciate your comment, Mo. As much as it takes courage to share my shortcomings publicly, I take heart, knowing that many others struggle with similar challenges. Thank you for your words.

Expand full comment
May 14Liked by Ryan Delaney

I hope you enjoyed your Mother’s Day weekend! Thank you for sharing again ❤️

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Brian, I did. Hope you did too. :)

Expand full comment

How poignant! Very well written Ryan thank you for sharing this !

Expand full comment
author

Feels great to hear you liked it and thought it was well written. Appreciate your comment, Nur.

Expand full comment

So important to come back to this path man. Your early point on reaching for coffee struck such a powerful chord. Lately I've been examining my relationship to rest - my aversion to it specifically. What is it that has me reaching for coffee, a synthetic substitute with short-term tradeoffs, instead of rest, a nourishing act of self-love and self-care? It's exactly this - a voice of not enoughness that says "earn your rest."

Thank you for this.

Expand full comment
author

I love the way you capture this truth, Justin. You see yourself and how this shows up in your life. I know I'm not doing well when coffee, or the byproduct of coffee, is the best part of my day. The world of form is so damn convincing, but as you say, it's a cheap substitute for the real thing. So glad you commented, friend.

Expand full comment
May 8Liked by Ryan Delaney

I can relate to this, Ryan. Finding that balance between productivity, which is important, and the quiet place, is a cool place to be.

Expand full comment
author

I feel the same - both are important. Too much in either direction and we become discontented. Our lives flow between the two.

Expand full comment