Productivity

I reject the notion that human existence—my existence—should be measured in terms of productivity. The idea that a day must contain a completed task in order to be considered “successful” is not a truth; it is a construct. Specifically, it is the construct of capitalism.

The workplace has long operated under a simple metric: productivity equals value. There, our worth is determined by how much we produce, how well we generate revenue. But this measurement belongs to the workplace alone. Outside of that context, it becomes reductive and harmful. My time—my life—is not capitalism’s to quantify.

I find fulfillment in things that are not productive by capitalist standards. I write—for others and for myself. Some pieces are meant to be read; others are private exercises in thought and creativity. I draw—small, unpolished doodles in sketchbooks. Sometimes I share them. Often, I don’t. These acts have no monetary goal. I do them because they bring me joy. They make me feel whole.

There is measurable mental health benefit in doing things for the sake of doing them. Listening to music, playing video games, sitting outside with a drink and a friend—these are not “wastes” of time. They are life. They are moments of presence, contentment, and connection. I will not look back on these moments and say, “I got nothing done.” I got everything I needed.

To evaluate my life using the same tools designed to measure productivity for the sake of profit is to mismeasure its worth entirely. These tools were never meant for me. They were built to track efficiency, output, and capital. I am not a line item on a spreadsheet. My life does not belong in a quarterly report.

Time spent away from work should not be held to the same standard as time spent at work. This is my time. It belongs to me. It is not the property of any employer, system, or ideology. And yet, I’ve been conditioned to feel guilt for not using it “productively.” That conditioning runs deep, but I am choosing to unlearn it.

Those of us who challenge capitalist norms—Marxists, socialists, progressives—must do better at presenting these ideas in a way that resonates with who a person is. Reframing how we speak about worth, time, and fulfillment could open more people to this conversation. We must help others see that there's another way to live—a better way to value a life. Instead, let us change the lens. Let us reframe the topic away from capitalist productivity and move the topic towards personal fulfillment. Ask people what they do for hobbies. Ask people what they do for fun, the latest movie they watched, or the last restaurant they enjoyed. 

“I didn’t get anything done today.” I’ve said it. I’ve felt it. But I no longer accept the shame attached to that statement. It is a product of a system that does not serve me. My value is not in what I produce. 

My worth is not in my output. My life is not a ledger to be balanced.