Freedomain Radio

What are the causes of laziness? I'm not sure if this has been looked into.

To give you an example, just finding it hard to gather enough will power to get up in the morning. Every day seems to be a struggle and I end up feeling that somehow my life would be so much better if I just never leaved the room. I don't have social phobia, it's just pure laziness. On the weekends when I have less obligations I can end up staying in bed, not even getting up to eat something until mid afternoon.
It also effects me with things I'd like to do, but just can't be bothered to put the effort in.

I tend to find there's a social stigma with laziness generally. If you are lazy it means you are worthless and its all your fault kind of thing.
I know that this is not an uncommon attribute, particularly with people my age, I'm 20, but I somehow feel that there is something wrong with being lazy. I mea
n why should you find it difficult to do something you actually want to do?

Is this a more type of procrastination, procrastination with life? What are your thoughts? I know this seems like an overreaction to a very mild problem, but it's such a common thing I feel it deserves a look at.

 What are your feelings and thoughts when you are lying in bed in the morning, before you get up?  Of course, if you don't mind my asking.

Here's a good video stef did on procrastination, friend.  Have you seen it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1WC6hNTONg

I have a history of procrastination, and although I'm still resolving these issues in my personal life, I'd just like to say that it's critical that you learn to NOT beat yourself up about this.  There is a reason you are procrastinating, stay curious about it.  Don't disparage the situation by insulting yourself.  When you are in the midst of it, try to stay empathetic with yourself and ask why it's happening.  At the very least, be aware that it is a question worth exploring in the moment.

And my very short guesstimate:  You're being "lazy" because you're doing things that your true self doesn't really have any interest in doing.  It happened to me in college, at least.

I'd very much like to hear more about your current situation and your reflections upon it.  While I agree there is a social stigma about being lazy, I think more often than not the stigma begins as a charge raised by the parent against the child, when the child has priorities different than what the parent thinks there should be.

I generally feel like I want to stay there and do nothing at all for the rest of my life. Somehow complete idleness feels like bliss, which is weird because I feel I do enjoy my life mostly. Why should complete emotional neutrality seem like the better option?

Milo:

I have a history of procrastination, and although I'm still resolving these issues in my personal life, I'd just like to say that it's critical that you learn to NOT beat yourself up about this.  There is a reason you are procrastinating, stay curious about it.  Don't disparage the situation by insulting yourself.  When you are in the midst of it, try to stay empathetic with yourself and ask why it's happening.  At the very least, be aware that it is a question worth exploring in the moment.

And my very short guesstimate:  You're being "lazy" because you're doing things that your true self doesn't really have any interest in doing.  It happened to me in college, at least.

I'd very much like to hear more about your current situation and your reflections upon it.  While I agree there is a social stigma about being lazy, I think more often than not the stigma begins as a charge raised by the parent against the child, when the child has priorities different than what the parent thinks there should be.

Thanks for the advice, that seems very logical.

just watched the procrastination podcast. The weird thing is, even though I've often told myself I don't have to do anything, it's all my own choices etc. I got really emotional afterwards. I'm not sure why.

I'm always supprised by how little I understand my emotions.

DMH:

just watched the procrastination podcast. The weird thing is, even though I've often told myself I don't have to do anything, it's all my own choices etc. I got really emotional afterwards. I'm not sure why.

I'm sure you know this, but that's a good thing - you're letting yourself feel what needs to be felt.

What are your thoughts about going through therapy?  Not because there's anything wrong with you, but just to help speed things along.  Ever done it, or are you open to the idea?

I've actually been through some theorpy for a short time because i had, and still do have a creative block, but it didn't seem to help that much, we would discuss things and come to agreements but I don't feel my emotions have really cought up.

He thought i had improved by the end, but tbh I don't feel much different generaly, I was in a partically bad state when i started

my experience and understanding is when someone does not want to get out of bed, especially because they think their life could be better by not getting up,  it is more likely depression rather then just lazziness. 

i did not feel sad, or any other profound emotions  but i would sit and do nothing.  it was not till i came here that i even understood that i was depressed during those times in my life and begain to work through them.

 Yes.  Mr Evil, you are very perceptive to mention this possibility.  Depression can be deceptive, and is difficult to recognize when a person is in the midst of this condition.  Perhaps this situation is not a case of depression, but is well worth exploring the possibility - perhaps with a caring therapist.

Wow, i tried so hard to pretend this thread wasn't about me. I guess I'm much further away from personal and emotional freedom than I thought, at least it means there's probably much better stuff in my life in the future.

I always feel guilty for feeling sorry for myself, but that's probably just due to my parents.

 I wonder what you mean when you say "feeling guilty about feeling sorry for yourself".  Can you tell me more about that? 

DMH:

Wow, i tried so hard to pretend this thread wasn't about me. I guess I'm much further away from personal and emotional freedom than I thought, at least it means there's probably much better stuff in my life in the future.

If we presume that your theory is true, and you were farther away from true freedom and happiness than you thought... then that realization means you are in fact closer to true freedom and happiness now. :) Kudos!

DMH:

I've actually been through some theorpy for a short time because i had, and still do have a creative block, but it didn't seem to help that much, we would discuss things and come to agreements but I don't feel my emotions have really cought up.

He thought i had improved by the end, but tbh I don't feel much different generaly, I was in a partically bad state when i started

 My experience with laziness has been punctual and well defined, so I think I can pinpoint the causes and it can help out if you have similar relationship situations.

I have been lazy several times in my life and it's always around the times where I'm being controled or told what to do by someone I don't respect. In most cases it was with my father and my mother (I used to work with my father for around 8 years or so. Probably more.)

I am only lazy lately when I am not respecting myself. Like I myself am a kid rebeling agaist myself whenever I see myself not following my own standards, or you could say living my own values.

I would suggest you revise your life and see where is it that you are falling short of your values. What is it that you are commanding yourself to do that is not worthy of your will?

I suggest working to build up selfrespect. There is nothing wrong in not wanting to do something. Just find the underlying cause. When you find out why, you probably will understand that you have been right in some way or another in how you have been feeling. That realization will always promote self-respect.

I'd like to know how you describe yourself and your view of you as a person. Is it a positive one? Where is it falling short of some standard? Have you had a history of being told what to do and acting lazy as passive agression?

Thanks for posting and do let us know.

thanks for the help guys

It looks like there's no easy solution to this. My relationship with myself has never been perfect, but never that dier, and there's been all sorts of things which could be affecting this. I think my creative block must be related in some way. I guess I should give theopy another shot.

What I'm not sure about is what to do now. Should I plod on with my life until I get a resnable chance to reflect or what? because work and every day things seem to becomming more of a strain.