Feeling Lazy?

At a lovely retreat in Punta Esmeralda, Mexico. Jan. 2023 

My mom used to say she was being "lazy". She was in her 80s and I didn't think she was lazy at all. But, she felt there was more she could or wanted to be doing. A recent podcast addressed why people have a tendency to call themselves lazy, or another person lazy. The author* made some excellent observations. 

First, AVOIDANCE. I call it procrastination, when the person should definitely be doing something, work, fun, or making appointments. But instead, they spend hours scrolling social media, or watching videos. 

This one surprised me -- ACCOUNTABILITY. Some simply need outer accountability to meet inner expectations. For example, they know they need to exercise but do best in a paid class, with a trainer, or by joining a league. Accountability can also be a deadline or doing something for someone else like a charity.  As soon as accountability is established, they will follow through. 

Of course, there is simply EXHAUSTION. People get drained and overwhelmed and can't muster the energy to do much of anything. Perhaps they have been ill or mentally dealing with loneliness, loss or an addiction of some sort. 

Laziness can be a matter of PERSPECTIVE. Some will seem lazy if they are not doing what 'you' expect them or want them to be doing, when they are perfectly happy as they are.

The bottom line... if you are feeling unhappy or even antsy about your laziness, you may have a happiness stumbling block -- it is good to identify what is going on. You might need some accountability, rest, or counselling to get you on track.

A wise woman once told me to "Be Gentle with Yourself." 
~ Martha Flaman (my mom)

*Article referenced on laziness was by Gretchen Rubin, an author and podcaster I really enjoy.