Moonlit Missives is my February series dedicated to writing love letters to individuals and communities deserving of recognition and respect. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to express love, appreciation, and remind others of their visibility and significance. Through these heartfelt letters, I hope to uplift, honor, and celebrate those who often go unrecognized.
A Love Letter to the Busy
Dear Busy People,
Like you, I live by lists—things to do, people to care for, dreams to chase. There’s always something. The never-ending cycle of tasks and expectations can make us feel accomplished, productive, even necessary. But let’s not mistake busyness for purpose.
We wear “busy” like a badge of honor, as if being stretched thin proves our worth. But here’s the truth: busyness doesn’t equate to importance. A full calendar doesn’t mean a full life. We rush from one obligation to the next, believing that slowing down is a luxury rather than a necessity. But what if it’s the opposite? What if stillness is where the real living happens?
I’ll be honest—I tend to fall behind on weekends. And by “behind,” I mean I step away. I do what we all should do: pause. Breathe. Exist without checking a box. It’s not failure; it’s balance. We shouldn’t just slow down when we have time. We should slow down because we need to.
So, to the busy parents, the overachievers, the ones who feel guilty when they’re not doing enough—I see you. And I hope you give yourself permission to rest. Not when everything is done. Not when you’ve “earned it.” But simply because you deserve a life that is more than just movement.
Busyness will always be there, waiting. But the moments you slow down? Those are the ones that truly matter.
With love,
A Fellow Busy Soul
The Forty Files 