The Struggle to Slow Down: Work, Self-Worth, and the Myth of Rest
By
furk
10mo ago· 11 min readenOpinion
100/100
Golden Brown
Bagelometer↗
Toasted golden, schmeared with insight. Top of the rack.
Score100TypeopinionSentimentnegative
Summary
The article reflects on the author's lifelong struggle with overwork and the inability to slow down, even after achieving professional success. A leukemia diagnosis intensified their urgency, but their self-worth has always been tied to productivity. The piece explores themes of work-life balance, guilt around rest, and the elusive pursuit of freedom from work pressures.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledFor most of my adult life, I’ve worked like I’m running out of time. Maybe because I am. (Aren’t we all?)
The truth is my sense of self-worth was tethered to my output long before that.
I used to think that once I made it—got the book deal, built a steady-enough stream of freelance work, stashed away some savings to weather a health crisis or creative drought—I’d finally feel free to slow down when I wanted to.
A clover, a bee, and a break
