Escapism: Am I Busy or Just Distracted?

November 10, 2026

I'm currently reading a book called Money Unmasked by Garrett Gunderson.

This is my first time reading his work. A friend introduced me to him, and I decided to pick up one of his books.

I'm not finished yet, but something I read recently made me stop and think.

In one chapter, Gunderson discusses escapism and how it can show up through distractions and detours that pull us away from creating value and seeing things clearly.

And for some reason, that hit me differently.

Not because I felt like I was avoiding life or failing to live up to my potential.

But because it made me ask myself a question:

How am I practicing escapism in my own life without even realizing it?

When Busy Becomes a Distraction

I have a full-time job.

I run a business.

I'm a wife and a mother of two young children.

And somewhere in between all of that, I'm trying to take care of myself, spend time with family, and enjoy life.

So yes, sometimes I want to escape! 😂

Sometimes I want to sit somewhere quiet, read a book, watch something entertaining, or simply do absolutely nothing.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

We all need opportunities to rest and recharge.

But the word that stayed with me from my reading wasn't escape.

It was distraction.

Because it made me wonder how often I fill my schedule with things that keep me busy but don't necessarily move me forward.

And more importantly, are there things I keep myself busy doing because I don't want to face something else?

That's an uncomfortable question.

Not Everything That Keeps Us Busy Moves Us Forward

Sometimes we can spend an entire day working and feel accomplished simply because we were busy.

We answered emails.

Attended meetings.

Checked things off our to-do lists.

But did we actually make progress on what mattered most?

Or did we spend the day doing the easier things while avoiding the difficult decisions?

And I wonder whether the same thing happens with our finances.

We can spend hours researching the perfect budgeting app instead of sitting down and looking at our spending.

We can keep reading books about investing without ever taking the first step.

We can talk about wanting to get out of debt while avoiding the uncomfortable conversation about the habits keeping us there.

Sometimes preparation becomes a comfortable place to hide.

And I say that knowing I've had moments when I've been guilty of it myself.

What Am I Really Avoiding?

I think the challenge is learning to recognize the difference between rest, responsibility, and distraction.

Rest helps us recharge.

Responsibilities are part of life.

But distractions can quietly consume the time and energy we need to make meaningful changes.

And not every distraction is obvious.

Sometimes it looks like another project.

Another commitment.

Another task that suddenly feels urgent.

All while the thing that really needs our attention sits untouched.

I'm still thinking through what this means for me.

I haven't finished the book, and I certainly haven't figured out all the answers.

But I appreciate that one passage made me stop long enough to question how I'm spending my time.

Because time, like money, is a resource.

And just as I want to be intentional about where my money goes, I want to be intentional about where my attention goes.

So here's the question I'm sitting with this week:

Am I making progress on what matters, or am I simply staying busy enough not to notice what I'm avoiding?

Maybe that's a question worth asking yourself, too.

Keep your money Irie!

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About the Author

Petra-Ann Brown is a financial educator, speaker, and founder of Brown Financial Solutions, LLC. Through workshops, coaching, storytelling, and her podcast Island Money 365, she helps individuals and families build financial confidence, reduce financial stress, and create lasting wealth.