Podcast Title: The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast
Episode: 1KHO 525: Zero Time to Pee | Rachelle Crawford, How To Be Busy
Release Date: July 15, 2025

Introduction

In the 1KHO 525 episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginni Urich engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Rachelle Crawford, author of How To Be Busy: Unhurried Living Even When Your Calendar is Chaotic. The episode delves into the nuances of managing a busy life, distinguishing between busyness and hurrying, and embracing the chaos that comes with different life seasons. Rachelle shares personal anecdotes, practical strategies, and thought-provoking analogies that offer listeners a fresh perspective on balancing life's demands while maintaining presence and intentionality.

From Minimalism to Embracing Busyness

Rachelle begins by recounting her minimalism journey, initiated in 2017 when she decided to declutter her home and simplify her calendar. This approach initially provided immense relief, reducing mental load and freeing up time for her family. However, a poignant moment—realizing she was too busy to even attend to her child’s basic needs—served as a turning point. She explains:

"I realized how much life happens and changes your best laid plans of picture perfect simplicity... we don't need an [overly] simplified calendar anymore."
[01:35] Rachelle Crawford

This realization led Rachelle to pivot her perspective from striving for constant simplicity to accepting and managing periods of busyness.

Differentiating Busyness from Hurrying

A significant portion of the discussion centers on distinguishing between busyness and hurrying. Rachelle defines:

• Busyness: Having a multitude of tasks and commitments.
• Hurrying: Approaching tasks with a frantic, stressed mindset, leading to feelings of chaos and overwhelm.

Rachelle emphasizes:

"Busyness is just a matter of the calendar, and hurry is a matter of the heart."
[05:50] Rachelle Crawford

This differentiation is crucial for understanding how to navigate busy seasons without succumbing to stress.

Building Margin into Your Schedule

A recurring theme is the importance of building margin—creating buffer time in one's schedule to accommodate unexpected events and recover from busy periods. Rachelle uses relatable analogies, such as:

"It's like finding an air pocket when your boat is sinking... you need that margin to get through."
[22:38] Rachelle Crawford

She advocates for planning ahead to ensure that both before and after busy seasons, there is designated time for rest and recovery, thereby maintaining overall well-being.

Being Present: The Power of Unhurried Moments

Rachelle underscores the significance of being present in the moment, rather than multitasking or letting the mind wander to other responsibilities. She shares a memorable story:

"I went out with my daughter to catch butterflies, but instead of enjoying the moment, I was pulling weeds and answering phone calls... and ended up with poison ivy."
[39:57] Rachelle Crawford

This anecdote illustrates the pitfalls of not fully engaging with the present and highlights the benefits of focused attention.

Managing Capacity and the Art of Saying No

The conversation also delves into capacity management, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s limits and the ability to say no. Rachelle shares insights inspired by Grandma Sally, who confidently declines invitations when her schedule cannot accommodate additional commitments. She advises:

"If someone asks for help and you don't have the capacity for it, saying no is better than overcommitting and underdelivering."
[47:50] Rachelle Crawford

This approach not only preserves personal well-being but also ensures that others receive the quality of help they need.

Personal Stories and Analogies

Rachelle enriches the discussion with various personal stories and analogies that make the concepts more relatable and memorable:

• Dropping the Phone in the Lake: A metaphor for intentionally disconnecting to regain clarity and reduce overwhelm.

  "Having a phone as an alarm clock was draining my attention tenfold. Switching to a traditional alarm clock improved my sleep and reduced screen time."
  [15:41] Rachelle Crawford

• Mushroom Hunting: Illustrates the idea of appreciating the unexpected and the abundance around us instead of fixating on a single objective.

  "We keep stepping over the bounty of other mushrooms while chasing morels... it's about savoring the small moments and treasures life offers."
  [30:27] Rachelle Crawford

• Ekman Spiral: An analogy for the hidden layers of our internal state that affect our external decisions and actions.

  "Just as the Ekman spiral describes changes beneath Lake Michigan's surface, our internal states influence how we navigate life's challenges."
  [54:17] Rachelle Crawford

Embracing Unpredictability and Flexibility

Life’s unpredictability is another focal point. Rachelle recounts incidents like accidentally damaging her homemade broth and a car mishap involving a recliner, reinforcing the need for flexibility and resilience when plans derail.

"Our meticulously wrapped bubble margin was compromised when something unexpected happened... Life’s unpredictability means we must prioritize capacity over rigid plans."
[25:22] Rachelle Crawford

Conclusion: Living into the Season You’re In

Rachelle concludes by reiterating the importance of living into the current season of life, embracing both the busy and quiet times with equal intentionality. She encourages listeners to:

• Prioritize meaningful connections over grand gestures.
• Find joy in small, everyday moments.
• Maintain flexibility to adapt to life’s inevitable changes.

Her final thoughts resonate with the overarching theme of the podcast:

"Don’t miss the small moments because you’re out chasing the bigger ones. Embrace each season with its unique opportunities for connection and growth."
[31:44] Rachelle Crawford

Key Takeaways

• Understand the difference between busyness and hurrying to manage stress effectively.
• Build margin into your schedule for unexpected events and personal recovery.
• Be present in each moment, avoiding the pitfalls of multitasking.
• Know your capacity and confidently say no to prevent overcommitment.
• Embrace flexibility to navigate life’s unpredictability without losing balance.

Notable Quotes

• “Busyness is just a matter of the calendar, and hurry is a matter of the heart.”
  — Rachelle Crawford [05:50]

• “If someone asks for help and you don't have the capacity for it, saying no is better than overcommitting and underdelivering.”
  — Rachelle Crawford [47:50]

• “Don’t miss the small moments because you’re out chasing the bigger ones.”
  — Rachelle Crawford [31:44]

For more insights and strategies on embracing a busy yet balanced life, be sure to check out Rachelle Crawford’s books:

• How To Be Busy: Unhurried Living Even When Your Calendar is Chaotic
• Messy Minimalism

Visit Abundant Life with Less for additional resources and updates.