I'm late! I'm late!

In the movie "Alice in Wonderland" Alice meets the March Hare, an eternally tardy and stressed out rabbit. "I'm late! I'm late! for a very important date. No time to say hello, Goodbye! I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!" is the song he sings. It seems that many people today are singing that same song. Almost everyone I talk to describes their lives as "busy," "crazy," or "chaotic," and I just don't get it. I do go through periods where I feel very busy, but I would not say that is the general tenor of my existence. I have four young kids, some of which are involved in dance class, a home to take care of, a calling in the church, and my own interests, yet I do not feel overwhelmingly busy. I'm wondering if maybe being busy has become sort of a status symbol and people are driving themselves crazy because it's the new status quo. One thing I do know is that ever since our income was drastically reduced I am a lot LESS busy. My conclusion is that spending money takes a lot of time, and when you quit spending money you suddenly have a lot MORE time. (Unless, of course, you now spend that time trying to earn money, which also takes up a lot of time). My guess is that most people are running themselves ragged trying to keep up with a new standard of "busyness" and materialism. I know that most people say the cause of their chaotic lifestyle is running their kids to various activities, but if the activities are causing so much stress in the family dynamic, why try to do so much? SIMPLIFY. I know that the time I have just being at home with my kids is invaluable and I don't think I would trade it for some talent showcase. But maybe I'll feel differently when my kids are older. I'm interested in hearing feedback on this one!