We live in a world that glorifies busyness and a full calendar. Hustle culture tells us that packed schedules, multi-tasking and dashing from one thing to the next equals success. The grown-ups (me) juggle endless to-do lists and competing priorities, while kids are booked solid with school, music, sports, birthday parties and playdates. As a family we volunteer and take part in community groups. It’s never-ending so it’s no wonder that burnout is rampant.
I will say, I’m starting to see a lot of pushback on hustle culture and that MAKES ME HAPPY.
I wrote Josie’s Busy Calendar during the pandemic when the evenings were empty and there was time for boredom. I didn’t even check my calendar for those months. When vaccines were available and I was starting to feel the world open up, anxiety accompanied the pressure to step back into the hustle.
I wanted to tell a story that speaks to kids, their parents and myself as an entrepreneur about the side effects of overbooking our lives and the power and peace in slowing down. I was also learning a lot about anxiety at this time, postpartum anxiety in particular and wanted a way to explain that to my then four year-old.
Josie (the character) has a busy calendar
Josie is a go-getter, a high-achiever, and a planner extraordinaire. Her calendar is stacked with activities—soccer, piano, art class, baking, and more. She loves all of her activities and time with her friends, but there’s one problem: she never leaves time to rest. (Sound familiar?)
As Josie’s schedule fills up, she feels overwhelmed and exhausted. Even though she’s doing all the things she enjoys, something doesn’t feel right. Her tummy is in knots and she wonders why her tummy feels so mixed up.
After listening to her body and considering her feelings, Josie trusts her instincts and settles her anxiety by taking some time for herself. She realizes that spending time alone gives her the gift of being a really good friend to herself. Josie learns the value of taking time to recharge and leaving quiet space for herself on her busy calendar.
She discovers that being busy isn’t the same as being happy—and that when she allows herself time to rest, play independently and dream she can be a better friend to others.
This message matters for Kids and Entrepreneurs (probably, also, for you)
Josie’s Busy Calendar is a children’s book, but this message applies to adults just as much as it does to kids. Especially entrepreneurs. A few unoriginal thoughts to encourage a little of Josie’s energy.
- The Hustle Trap Is Real
As entrepreneurs, we’re told to grind, push harder, and maximize every second of the day. It’s easy to wear “busy” as a badge of honour, but we’re starting to realize this unwillingness to rest is detrimental to progress. Just like Josie, we can find ourselves so overbooked that we forget why we started in the first place.
- Success Isn’t About Doing More—It’s About Doing What Matters
Josie learns that filling her calendar doesn’t make her happy. Too many activities means she doesn’t enjoy any of them. Entrepreneurs need this reminder too. More meetings, more clients, more projects—it can all sound like growth, but if we’re not intentional, we’re just running in circles and not stopping to celebrate wins and enjoy the success we’re achieving.
- Rest Fuels Creativity and Productivity
Josie realizes that when she finally slows down, she has more creativity and energy for the social activities she loves. The same goes for us. Some of our best ideas come when we’re not grinding 24/7, but when we take time to breathe.
- Setting Boundaries is Powerful
Kids need to know it’s okay to say no. Entrepreneurs do, too. Not every opportunity, client, events or collaboration is worth the time. Learning to protect your schedule is the ultimate form of self-care.
Success isn’t measured by being busy
I wrote Josie’s Busy Calendar because I wanted to name and explore the anxiety I felt from calendar overwhelm and I wanted to start a conversation with kids. My goal was to shift the conversation around busyness—starting with kids and extending to adults. Success isn’t about how much you do. It’s about the impact of what you do and the joy it brings.
So, whether you’re a kid with an overstuffed activity list or an entrepreneur drowning in deadlines, here’s your reminder: Leave some space to dream and play. Make time for rest and spontaneity. Now if only I could act on my own advice…. I’m a work in progress!!
