Romi Carrell Wittman

Most of the research and protocol for modern childbirth comes from 17^th century French medical textbooks. Think about that for a second. Medical care for pregnant women today follows 300-year-old ideas.

If you think that sounds crazy, consider the concept of work ethic. Much of how we approach our modern work is based upon Puritan values dating back even further than French maternal medicine. That’s right – the way you spend your workweek is based on ancient concepts of what constitutes ‘hard work.’

We’ve been programmed to believe that if we’re not ‘doing,’ we’re lazy. This dangerous viewpoint doesn’t allow for much-needed downtime, nor does it allow for things that don’t produce an immediate tangible result. We are an entire country of people constantly on-the-go, trying to outrun the label of ‘laziness,’ and to prove our worth as human beings. Sadly, Americans equate constant motion and high salaries with a person’s worth. In practice, this looks like 80-work weeks, constant self-improvement to get ahead (or simply tread water) at work, and taking on side projects, etc.

It’s exhausting and it’s unsustainable.

When we focus on constant work, we all suffer. Creating art may not translate to money earned, so art isn’t created. We suppress creativity, ignore personal passions, and flatten human experience into a spreadsheet of billable hours. Mental health becomes a luxury, rest becomes a sign of weakness, and burnout is worn like a badge of honor.

But here’s the real truth:  Productivity isn’t a measure of human value. Your worth can’t be determined by the hours you work or the amount of money you earn. Creativity flourishes in quiet spaces. Innovation emerges from periods of reflection. Put more simply, humans aren’t machines designed for perpetual output.

What would happen if we redefined productivity and the concept of what ‘being productive’ looks like?  Imagine a culture that values deep thinking, emotional intelligence, and personal growth as much as it values spreadsheets and profit margins. In other words, what would happen if we treated humans as people and not machines?

We need a radical reimagining of work. Not as a continuous grind, but as a dynamic, holistic experience that honors human complexity. We are more than our job titles and more than the salaries we earn. We are artists, dreamers, creators, learners, and beings capable of profound connection – when we give ourselves the space to be.

If someone calls you lazy for taking a break, for pursuing a passion that you can’t monetize, for prioritizing your mental health, remember this: You are resisting a centuries-old narrative designed to extract your labor, not celebrate your humanity.

Rest is not laziness. It’s resistance.

#WorkCulture #MentalHealth #Productivity #PersonalGrowth