Laziness

[Astrid]

Anney - yes sunlight is a huge factor. You see me when the sun comes out and then goes behind a cloud every 15 minutes. I rush around and get something started, only to fall in a heap when the clouds come.

I was also one often accused of being lazy when I was younger, I was never good enough or did a good enough job.

Interruptions are one of my killers to motivation, but I have posted about that before.

[Bathsheba]

Ah interruptions! I'd like to explore this too! Is it possible that some people have really long attention spans and that constant interruptions can be really debilitating??? I think so. As a kid I had the ability to focus on either a book or a drawing for hours and was always frustrated by kids that got bored easily and wanted to do something else... so often I needed to play alone to really enjoy myself.
I can get more out of company now but i still need to be able to concentrate on something for longer times than most people. You can see this in how I won't let go of threads... I want to hash out every detail. LOL

I actaully like tasks like mopping the floor, ironing etc. Jobs that take a long time... BUT if i can't do the job deep in thought then I HATE doing it...and won't do it.

When DH minds the kids i can spend literally all day weeding. I am not lazy but I need the luxury of working and being able to think. A SAHM doesn't often get this perfect combination.

[Rouge]

For me laziness is often a reflection of how happy I am.

If I'm happy I am springing around you'd swear I was channeling Snow White... I also like to wake up earlier and enjoy the day. I want to LIVE life. Not just do life. ATM I'm pretty busy, I'm also pretty happy and my rut seems to be passing. I have also just changed medications which has definitely improved my energy levels but overall I think my happiness is helping me to be active.

[MantaRay]

I agree with you Bath when you say that you don't believe in inherent laziness. This is something I've been thinking about as well. Often when people appear lazy there is an underlying cause. Perhaps it's disengagement, depression, or a physical issue such as thyroid function. In my DS's case we used to wonder why he got tired so easily and now we know he has low muscle tone and this means that every movement he makes is more tiring than it is for others. No wonder he gets tired more easily - especially when walking a lot etc. What might be perceived as laziness is actually almost the reverse - having to put more effort in to do less.

In your situation, I can well understand your need for a change. Is there something you can do to make this happen without actually moving or going back to work? Take up a new hobby, study, find some volunteer work which would interest you? Redecorate? Start a new garden? Rearrange your furniture and change your daily routines around? Something that seems like a bit of a fresh start and will be motivating?

I hope something works out for you soon.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks Manta Yep, going from the high degree of engagement I got from doing the Red Cross course earlier this year I think short courses are the go! LOL at moving furniture... DH hates it when i do that... he likes everything to pretty much stay the same... he grew up in the same house that his parents lived in their whole life... his whole family is VERY adverse to change. I am the opposite. Change motivates me. I've put in a vegie garden and am about to go check it out actually. Even though we rent the owners are very happy for us to live in this house as if it's our own... we are allowed to paint and wallpapaer... and I'm hoping to do that when it warms up so I can air the house out. Thanks for the suggestions

Rouge: yes, happiness is a factor. But I'm generally only happy if I can centre myself from time to time and becoming deeply engrossed in things helps me to centre. I can also feel ok about just dropping everyting and play with the kids... this makes me happy... but even after doing that the task of getting the things I need to do is just too daunting.

It's a bit like trying to ride a bike slooooowly... it's actually harder than riding at a good speed... if you are forced to ride too slow you just fall off.

[Astrid]

It's a bit like trying to ride a bike slooooowly... it's actually harder than riding at a good speed... if you are forced to ride too slow you just fall off.

In my case the one of the wheels has a puncture and the other has gone missing

[Astrid]

Yes Bath, I am also better with a deadline, even if I do leave it till last minute. Had a coffee morning here the other day and got a heap done cleaning wise, a normal week the house would have been a disaster zone.

Ok, think about it, most of my problem is I think too much. I go over and over in my head trying to work out the better way to do things. I don't just fold the washing, I think about should I just grab the first thing and fold it, or should I hunt through and fold all the towels first. With a deadline in place there is little time to think, so I just go on auto pilot. If I am riled I am thinking about that problem, not about the cleaning. Probably explains why I like to be on the phone when I am cleaning, action without thought.