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  • Writer's picturerhianprime

Lazy or not?



Are you one of those people who when asked if you could make a cup of tea says in true Welsh style, I will do it now in a minute! Or indeed what about the one who initially asked for the cuppa are they lazy or not? What constitutes laziness? Is it just someone who doesn't want to work or who is idle in matters? Think of an animal who when fed and watered settles to cook themselves in the warmth of the sunshine until the need to "pay a penny" becomes too much!


There is something which is known as the "laziness lie," which comes from the Protestant work ethic, if we are good we work until breaking point! You have no doubt seen it in many people working until burn out, not stopping for time with family or friends, days off, holidays and retiring to bed as late as possible and then up with the lark! We see it in others and at times can recognise it in ourselves - the desire to keep going sticking to our routine which does not allow for a sneaky sit down or a break from the relentless passage of daily life.


"Except we’ve often been pushed beyond our limits." and push ourselves too beyond the limit.


If we think we are lazy and more importantly if others assume we are lazy that does personal damage as no-one actually really knows what is going on. There is a feeling of moral judgement here and that we are not worthy in some way. Recently I heard of an Indian worker high up in IT appeared to be working just one day and then taking the next day off, this continued for a while and then management clamped down asking the necessary questions. The man was working full time and was so diligent but had to stay and care for his mother every other day so worked from her home, where the internet was unreliable. He was not lazy or taking advantage, but rather now struggling and on top of it all felt lazy that his colleagues did not believe him, so worked even harder.


"... and the "laziness lie," is everywhere, they tell me; from a very young age we’re told that working hard is paramount. We believe passion and sacrifice are important and that a person who sets limits has to justify why they “need” or deserve a break. “It is a pervasive ideology that affects each of us so deeply that we don't even recognize [it],” Kayti Christian



We so often need people to believe in us and how hard we work that we are not shirkers or lazy but on top and committed. We have been conditioned to always be doing something even when relaxing knitting or sorting or whatever. We all fall into these pitfalls from time to time whether young and able, a child or older and retired. So many people have said to me over the years, I cant have you think that I don't do anything or just sit around.


"But the laziness lie harms us at an individual level—whether we believe it about others or ourselves. We fear if we stop working, or instead if we stop to rest, then we will somehow lose... Except we’re already losing. We can’t produce as much when we’re overworked, even when we think we should have more to show for our efforts. Even more than losing out on efficiency, we’re compromising our physical and mental health." Kayti Christian


We need to look outwards to our communities and our society, to learn to understand why some people hang about drinking, or appear to be doing nothing, to embrace community demanding good health care, better personal rights, drug addiction, alcoholism, gamboling to name just a few. To accept a routine might be helpful but we are not slaves to it and if we need to re boot then that is ok. We should not judge others and maybe more open to others than we are. The "laziness lie" is hugely damming and dangerous and we need to open up our own lifestyles and be more open to the needs of others.


"“Because you’re not lazy—and neither am I. [...] The truth is that it isn’t us who need to change, but the entire system and narrative.” Kayti Christian






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