Most modern distractions merely serve as a Band-Aid for the discomfort of inactivity, driven by a culture that equates busyness with worth.
Research from Devon Price, as discussed in his article Laziness Does Not Exist, suggests that what we call laziness might actually be a sign of needing rest, not a character flaw.
I personally think this is just one aspect of the story.
Because while rest is certainly important, there's also something to be said for the discipline of pushing through resistance when working toward meaningful goals.
However, in some ways, it really does align with the idea that modern consumerism exploits this fear, offering endless ways to "stay busy" without addressing the root cause.
In both theory and practice, it doesn't seem hard to instead of buying another distraction, one could benefit from simply sitting quietly, allowing the mind to settle.
The Normality of Distractions
Distractions have become an accepted part of daily life, especially with the advent of technology.
I'm not sure what the exact number is but I've heard that the average person checks their phone hundreds of times a day, and a good portion of that is done subconsciously.
No wonder there's an inherent tension between our desire for focus and the systems designed to fragment our attention, which makes it difficult to find moments of peace or simply be with our thoughts, as this goes against contributing to a culture of perpetual busyness.
Acknowledging and Redirecting
Why overly dwell on distractions when you can acknowledge them and get back on track?
I think one of the main contributors to the pervasive nature of distractions is that we allow them to continue long after we've recognized that this is a distraction.
Instead of getting bogged down, one can recognize distractions and then refocus using strategies like the Pomodoro Technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break).
For some of us, it clearly doesn't help that our workplace is also our playground or rather entertainment place.
If what we call laziness is sometimes a sign we need a break, then we're better off taking that break and then getting back on track.
Skipping breaks spells disaster to me. Trying to drive a car without ever stopping for gas means you'll eventually end up stranded on the side of the road, much further from your destination than if you'd just made the planned stops.
Besides, distractions will always exist, it's arguably part of the things we can't control but we can mostly choose how we respond.
Positive Distractions
Not all distractions are negative. Some can be beneficial, depending on the individual and context.
Engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, or even daydreaming can recharge our batteries and spark creativity.
These "positive distractions" are subjective; what recharges one person might drain another.
Taking time for a hobby like painting is a positive distraction for a person like myself, providing a creative outlet, while for another, it could well be gardening, which offers a connection to nature.
In my mind, distractions should have a good component of activity. Because passive consumption rarely provides the same benefits as active engagement.
Activities that require us to create, move, or engage deeply tend to be more restorative than those where we simply consume.
Is Doing Nothing Considered Being Lazy?
A modern construct equates inactivity with laziness.
There's a subtle but critical difference between doing nothing and being present. The former implies emptiness, and the latter simply means fullness.
Culturally, doing nothing is seen as a vice, but in some ancient cultures, it was viewed as a virtue, sort of.
Traditional wisdom across cultures recognized that periods of apparent inactivity serve essential functions, e.g the day of Sabbath in Judeo-Christian traditions.
Obviously, doing nothing in our current era is categorically different from previous eras.
By that, I mean our context for "nothing" exists against a backdrop of 24/7 connectivity, push notifications, and unprecedented access to entertainment.
Rest is not laziness but a necessary part of a balanced life only when it actually serves to restore us.
Nowadays, everybody needs a counterpoint to the productivity culture that dominates modernity lest we all burn out completely.
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