Laziness is a myth: It's a lot more complicated than you'd think

The headline of this blog says it all.

Laziness is a myth.

Now, I recognize that this may seem unbelievable.

But I’m telling you, if you keep reading, I think that you too will agree that laziness is a myth.

Now, before we get into it... 

I just want to take a moment to speak to anyone who has been called lazy (especially if it’s by a parent). I wish I could give you a hug. Telling someone that their lazy is hurtful, and people are often unaware of the impact that their words can have. On behalf of whoever called you lazy, I’m sorry. I hope that you can find peace and recognize that your self-worth is not based on what you produce and that laziness is a myth.

Photo of Tiffany Harrison by Emily Wilkerson at the Bloom Retreat.

How laziness is a myth.

People are quick to criticize and call someone lazy. In reality, there’s so much more going on that we need to take into account when people are procrastinating or avoiding doing something. 

Rather than labeling someone as lazy and judging them for their inability or unwillingness to do something, let’s recognize that there are deeper things going on and that we can’t always tell what someone is experiencing just but looking at them.

Someone who appears lazy might actually be navigating fears. Having a fear of success, fear of failure, or fear of expectation could prevent someone from being able to complete a task. If someone is afraid to fail, they’ll push off a task so that they cannot fail at it. Meanwhile, someone who is afraid to succeed may not complete a task because they want to avoid conflict, and they can do this by not moving forward. Another person may not be doing something so that they can set the bar low to avoid having expectations placed on them.

All of these types of people may appear like they’re “lazy” or unwilling to do something, but they’re actually navigating their fears and trying to overcome them. 

It’s a lot more complicated than just pure laziness. Unseen barriers can lead to procrastination, so can miscommunications, and mental illness.  

How laziness affects those with mental illness. 

This idea of laziness is intertwined with guilt and misunderstanding.

People may call someone lazy because they have a messy bedroom or haven’t showered in a while.

This. Is. Not. Laziness. 

Everyone’s mind is different.

What people are capable of doing differs by person, by day, by situation, and more.

It’s unfair to expect someone to always function in a specific way, and it can be harmful to put pressure on them that they must respond and complete tasks in certain timelines based on a societal understanding of what is productive.

When someone is having challenges with their mental health, it’s quite possible that completing daily tasks aren’t something they’re able to do. Rather than labeling someone as “lazy,” we need to create spaces that allow them to navigate their mental illnesses.

Taking stress leave isn’t lazy. Needing time away from work and a regular routine isn’t lazy. People aren’t lazy.

I love this quote,

“Despite what our world might tell you, your outward ‘tracked’ productivity that results in economic gain does not define your worth. You, right now, without having to accomplish a feat, are worthy and important. You are precious as you are. Don’t let society tell you otherwise.”

Almost all of us are raised to value productivity and work, and this can cause even more challenges for people who are struggling with a mental illness and navigating how to survive, never mind being productive. 

Now what?

Okay, so you understand that laziness is a myth and that there’s always a lot more going on than what meets the eye, but now what?

Well, I want to start by encouraging you to approach people and situations with grace and understanding. Rather than jumping to unkind labels, be willing to consider how someone’s personal life or feelings may be impacting how they approach their work or other activities.

Taking time to understand your needs is not lazy. Self-care is not lazy, and it’s not selfish. As humans, we all need to relax, and we all need to find time away from the chaos to recharge. 

Next, I want to also encourage you to be gentle with yourself. All of us experience things differently, and I want you to recognize that your self-worth isn’t found in your productivity or your ability to succeed. 

You are an incredible individual with a life story that is worth sharing and exploring. You are full of deep and complicated emotions that impact who you feel, how you respond, and how you thrive. I want you to spend time reflecting on how you view yourself and others and consider where you may need to spend energy reworking some of your views.

If you’re interested in getting away and are eager to develop tools that will help you think more deeply and align with your center, visit my website. There, you will find information about the Rooted Retreat. This is an opportunity for you to unpack some of your views of the world. It’s a safe space for women to gather, learn, grow, and rest. 

There is always more to be done, but this is your permission to rest.