3 answers
Monica
Student
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
1
Question
Updated
257 views
How can I get out of laziness/slothfulness?
College student. 20 yrs old. Avid scroller on YouTube.
Days when I have work, I'm great, I get out, I live my best life. However, on days that I'm off, even sleeping in an hour can cost me dearly. I feel like I've wasted my whole morning, which means I've wasted the whole day. I rarely do my hobbies anymore. What do I do? I'm going off to college in the fall, out of state, but until then, how can I make my free days as good as my work days? How can I be fulfilled without motivation to propel me?
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3 answers
Bob Echols
Retired lawyer and ethics officer--current blogger and author of the For Our Friends the Animals quartet.
37
Answers
Fairhope, Alabama
Updated
Bob’s Answer
Hi, Monica. Thank you for your great questions.
Let me provide you a couple of thoughts and ideas for you to ponder.
First, try to refrain from self-denigration, i.e., I'm lazy or slothful. Truly sometimes how we categorize ourselves becomes who we are, and anyone who works and is going to college is neither lazy nor slothful.
Second, try not to critique yourself too much for resting or taking some time off from work or school. Everyone needs a break occasionally, and it is in those periods when we can refresh ourselves, recharge ourselves, and often get additional inspiration and ideas!
Next, if you are bothered by what you see as too much idle downtime, try breaking your off days into hourly chunks. Take one hour for scrolling, one hour for reading, one hour for exercising, one hour for socializing, that sort of thing.
Another idea--get one of those monthly calendars (or do it on the computer) and write down your goals for each month. What do you want to accomplish? You'll find that writing down your goals, always having them in front of you, will serve as a nice incentive towards accomplishing them.
Finally, be gentle with yourself and enjoy your time in college. This will be a growth time for you. You'll learn many new things, including many about yourself. Learning means making mistakes, omitting things you wanted to do, but always coming back and trying again. Forgive yourself any transgressions, make amends if you must, make changes if you think they'll be positive, and move on to accomplish new and wonderful things!
Best of luck and may God bless you!
Let me provide you a couple of thoughts and ideas for you to ponder.
First, try to refrain from self-denigration, i.e., I'm lazy or slothful. Truly sometimes how we categorize ourselves becomes who we are, and anyone who works and is going to college is neither lazy nor slothful.
Second, try not to critique yourself too much for resting or taking some time off from work or school. Everyone needs a break occasionally, and it is in those periods when we can refresh ourselves, recharge ourselves, and often get additional inspiration and ideas!
Next, if you are bothered by what you see as too much idle downtime, try breaking your off days into hourly chunks. Take one hour for scrolling, one hour for reading, one hour for exercising, one hour for socializing, that sort of thing.
Another idea--get one of those monthly calendars (or do it on the computer) and write down your goals for each month. What do you want to accomplish? You'll find that writing down your goals, always having them in front of you, will serve as a nice incentive towards accomplishing them.
Finally, be gentle with yourself and enjoy your time in college. This will be a growth time for you. You'll learn many new things, including many about yourself. Learning means making mistakes, omitting things you wanted to do, but always coming back and trying again. Forgive yourself any transgressions, make amends if you must, make changes if you think they'll be positive, and move on to accomplish new and wonderful things!
Best of luck and may God bless you!
Debbie Fasenmyer
Artist
30
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
Debbie’s Answer
Hi. Great question. You are already so self aware. Rest is essential. We can receive our best ideas when we’re in a relaxed state. Our body and mind need time to align and regroup.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Listen to your body. Burnout is so common. Practice self care and that could be slowing down it could also include sleeping.
You are not lazy. You’re actually mindful of your physical, mental, emotional and cellular energy. Protect it.
Creative practices such as hobbies can actually help you to be more productive. Spending time in nature or daydreaming isn’t wasteful. It’s all time well spent.
Mindset matters and so does your mental health. Reframe your thoughts.
You are practicing self reflection.
I encourage you to use your downtime to work on personal growth and development. Seek out holistic ways to improve your productivity and health.
Try new things. Listen to music. Make art. Go on a walk. Explore meditation or guided visualization. Dance. Shift the energy in your body.
This is actually an advantage in school and the work place. You’re carving out time to balance your schedule.
Prioritize your health first and you’ll create a sustainable lifestyle. Make rest and recovery part of your daily routine.
Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Listen to your body. Burnout is so common. Practice self care and that could be slowing down it could also include sleeping.
You are not lazy. You’re actually mindful of your physical, mental, emotional and cellular energy. Protect it.
Creative practices such as hobbies can actually help you to be more productive. Spending time in nature or daydreaming isn’t wasteful. It’s all time well spent.
Mindset matters and so does your mental health. Reframe your thoughts.
You are practicing self reflection.
I encourage you to use your downtime to work on personal growth and development. Seek out holistic ways to improve your productivity and health.
Try new things. Listen to music. Make art. Go on a walk. Explore meditation or guided visualization. Dance. Shift the energy in your body.
This is actually an advantage in school and the work place. You’re carving out time to balance your schedule.
Prioritize your health first and you’ll create a sustainable lifestyle. Make rest and recovery part of your daily routine.
Best of luck in your future endeavors.
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
305
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
It could be clinical, go get tested, no harm in checking. Get outside. join a club or church that allows for screenless fellowship. There are likely leagues for pickleball, bowling, or whatever you may find interest in. Set a specific time each day for screentime and stick to it. It is hard to avoid screens, alerts, social media. Turn your phone off and leave it in another room when needing intense focus time.