The Myth of Productivity

Skylyn Ash Lucifer
2 min readAug 1, 2023

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Productivity is a myth curated by the capitalist systems we live in. As a top priority of many throughout the world, productivity has become a generalized category where self-worth is identified by the qualities we use to describe it. Though the result of this generalization of self-worth in productivity, leaves a lot of essential aspects of individual and communal health behind. Is how we relate to ourselves and others with care associated with our definitions of productivity? Often, this opportunity passes unknowingly for many of us.

We characterize productivity not as what makes us happy and self-regulated, but by means of expanding our capacity to do work. In this mischaracterization, we neglect ourselves into burnout of its varied forms.

Is this why so many are struggling to recognize “what they’re doing wrong”? I think so, and thankfully, this is changeable on an individual basis. And I argue it’s our responsibility, to ourselves and to each other, to evolve in awareness of how these misguided intentions are hurting us.

How do you characterize your productivity? Do you differentiate productivity from self-care? Why?

There are so many questions one can ask themself to reflectively learn what they’re overlooking in their daily lives. Self-Love to me looks like reevaluating that self-care, socializing, and what brings me joy/fulfillment is productive.

That’s because productivity is what You make it. In knowing that productivity is a myth, the fluidity of human nature is more recognizable/obvious.

What makes you happy? How do you care for yourself & your community? How do you connect with your loved ones? There are more ways to be productive than can be differentiated by using the term of productivity.

But in this analysis, you come to recognize and identify other means of productivity that you personally identify with. This creates categories of your life that you can reflect on to redirect the aspects of your well-being you were incorrectly tying to productivity.

Self-care, spending time outside, socializing, organizing files so you can take pictures on your phone, etc. are all means of productivity. Engaging in your hobbies or in volunteer work, there are ascribed meanings only You can clarify for yourself and furthermore differentiate and relate with productivity further.

In unlearning the myth of productivity being your only source of self-worth, you can see productivity as all of the varied aspects of self-dedication that they are in the exact ways they contribute to your sense of self-worth.

If interested in diving deeper, please see link in bio and schedule a Consultation with Skylyn for Self-Acceptance Coaching to see if this is a good fit for you.

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