Can You Be Lazy? It May Not Be as Easy as It Sounds.

 In a recent post, I shared some reflections on productivity and came to a realization: I hadn't truly taken a break even after leaving my corporate job. My "time off" was actually packed with mother-son activities, fulfilling yet not quite the rest I needed.

As the holiday season rolled in, I felt my energy levels dwindling. This led me to a rather unusual experiment: embracing complete laziness. Surprisingly, this was harder than I initially thought.

The first few days were blissful. I lounged on the couch, embarking on a K-drama marathon, my version of climbing Mount Everest – but with less frostbite and more plot twists. Their creative storylines were a delightful escape from the world of corporate reports and spreadsheets.

But soon, this initial burst of excitement started to wane. Thoughts like, "Is watching dramas really how I want to spend my life?" began to surface. These guilt-inducing questions turned into a relentless mental game of whac-a-mole, each popping up without warning, demanding attention.

When the appeal of dramas faded, I tried to do absolutely nothing. That's when my couch and I struck up a friendship. It seemed to whisper, 'Embrace the laziness,' as I sank deeper into its cushions. But even in this comfort, a strange restlessness began to set in.

This discomfort was more than just boredom – it was a gnawing unease, the kind you feel when doing something you shouldn't. My instinctive reaction was to reach for my phone, aimlessly scrolling through apps. Recognizing this, I uninstalled many apps and put my phone out of easy reach.

Our society often views idleness as a sin, echoing in sayings like "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." Growing up, I was taught to value hard work and productivity, always judged by my achievements. Despite knowing that rest is crucial for productivity, the guilt was hard to shake off.

It might sound like I embraced laziness for a long time, but it was just over two weeks. During this period, I found joy in cooking healthy meals for my family, which surprisingly occupied much of my day and was quite fulfilling.

Emerging from these two weeks, ideas began to flow effortlessly. I hadn't planned to think about them until the new year, yet they matured on their own. It was a powerful reminder that, like muscles growing during rest periods and not workouts, creative ideas often bloom in relaxation, not in the hustle.

So, I leave you with this thought: Are you giving yourself enough 'lazy time' in your life? What has been your experience with taking a step back to just 'be'? I'd love to hear your stories and reflections on embracing downtime.

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