Responding to the pressure for productivity during this lockdown
“If you don’t come out of this with a new skill, you didn’t lack time, you lacked discipline.” (Ouch!)
I cannot count the number of times this quote has appeared on my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn feed. Yet, I still emotionally recoil from it every time it pops up. Such ideas of “productivity” sound judgemental, critical and ill-timed. They ignore the wide range of experiences within this pandemic. While some respond to the pandemic with activities to increase productivity, others choose to allow themselves space and time to just “be” and to focus their attention on activities like art, music, reading, painting, writing. Others may choose to rest and relax. We each experience the pandemic in our own way, and no one size fits all. It is clear that many are overwhelmed by waves of anxiety and stress. The important thing is to tune into yourself. What do you need in this moment?
Reader, if you are feeling a little confused or frustrated while everyone around you seems to be concerned about “being productive”, this is to you: put down that ‘productivity’ yardstick of comparison and pick up self-compassion instead. Ask yourself:
What am I feeling?
What pain is triggering my emotions?
What is the struggle underlying that?
How can I help ease that struggle and pain?
Acts of self-compassion can be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal or giving ourselves words of kindness and comfort. If you are unable to soothe yourself, do not hesitate to reach out to friends, family and professional therapists. Working and studying from home present their own set of difficulties so also consider speaking to your employer or school if you are facing difficulties. Above all, be kind to yourself. Listen to what your emotions are telling you and do not let others guilt you into overworking.
To those that are finding themselves more productive during this time, we are genuinely happy for you. Remember not to overwork yourselves and continue practicing compassion for others by reaching out to friends and family during this period. While it is natural to want to share how you are responding to the situation, recognise that everyone reacts differently to the crisis. Now may not be the best time to tell others how productive you are, especially if they may not be coping as well with the crisis.
Lastly, understand that there is no fixed definition of productivity. Getting work done is productive, starting a business is productive, but so is practicing self-compassion and finding ways to cope emotionally with crises. One thing we have learnt is to think of it this way:
