To think some people simply have more energy than others

I think you're correct, but I'm also interested on what is the line between this and "free will doesn't exist."

For every action, you can point to attributes that influence the decision, such as having more energy, where no room is left for free will. It's a situation where I think that it might be true that free will does not exist, but if you act on this - and refuse to hold anyone accountable for their actions, as they were not freely chosen, your life will get a lot worse.

I know my limits. If I push myself through the tiredness, I’m wiped out for days. I just don’t have the same energy levels as some people. I have to rest regularly and take naps to keep up with daily life!

Not sure about naturally energetic, but I force myself to be energetic because it makes me feel better to be doing stuff. I’m never more down/depressed than when I’m bored and don’t have enough to do.

Looking at my own kids, my son is high energy and can’t sit still. He’s up early for a run before work, doesn’t sit down on the job and does football and kickboxing three nights a week. My daughter on the other hand is quite happy sleeping late and then mooching around the house. She’s forced to be active now at uni walking at least 15,000 steps a day, but in her ‘off’ days she doesn’t change out of her jammies. Raised the same, both involved in sports as youngsters. Just different.

I'm def not one of the busy people!
People sometimes seem to think I am as I exercise alot and am always walking everywhere but honestly in between I'll be sat quietly reading, I could happily spend all day doing that.
Those people who always have to doing something? Sounds exhausting!😆

I actually think it’s more about personality - and maybe these people just have passion and a level of “discipline” (e.g. I know runners and they stick to their routine come rain or shine, but they love it) as opposed to energy levels.

I say this because I had a very busy life. Maybe I still do. I am tiiireddd and I would choose my bed over anything (I loveeee my bed!) but actually I have as much love and desire for my hobbies, and for the clubs I run, that alongside raising 2 kids and working. My kids have come along to things with me.

I don’t think I have more energy, but a genuine interest in those things. And abit of curiosity. And I also think I just can’t sit still. So even if I am sitting on the sofa and the kids are in bed, I will find something to do.

I wish I could just spend a whole day doing absolutely nothing. I have had days like that and I’ll either sleep or get on with a hobby.

Not at all. My parents were easy going. They did tend to be busy themselves, so i guess they modelled it to an extent, but never pressured me to be. They were certainly better at watching TV than I am though, they works sit and watch an episode of something in the evening.

Even as a child I couldn't just watch TV, I'd be drawing or playing with my toys at the same time.

I really don't think it's an anxiety thing as some have suggested. I'm just easily bored.

I can be extremely energetic for a few days in a row if I have to be but then I will just crash on the first day that there's not a lot on. I run quite the debit and credit system when it comes to energy!

There are differences in innate energy levels, but in the absence of factors like fatigue related conditions, being fit and eating good nutrition generally help maximise that potential.

Lockdown was hideous to me as there's only so many long runs and exercise videos you can do to fill a gaping chasm of functionless time with nowhere purposeful to go. I'd end up having afternoon naps to fill the void for a bit. It took me back to the days of late pregnancy when I was immobilised by SPD.
A sit and relax has its place, but too much vegetating stupifies me and makes me seize up and hurt.

I'm on a nice gentle 12,500 steps today. I've taken it easy because I ran a race yesterday so have just walked to work and back and been on my feet most of the day. Nothing vigorous added.

DS finds me annoying when we go to town as I park a mile out and walk, not just for saving a parking fee, but because it takes a similar time as driving around the congested ring road and trawling through the multi-storey and I'd rather have a nice 15min walk along the canal than crawl through traffic for similar time.

I feel better for moving, and moving makes the most of that energy potential.

If she has two autistic DC she may well be neurodivergent herself which could explain the inability to relax! (Im autistic and find it very, very difficult to relax!)

Haven't read the thread, but my instinctive reaction is yes. I think I'm a naturally high energy person, always have to be doing stuff. Multiple degrees, busy job, gym, sea swimming, etc. It's taken me many years to realise that other people aren't lazy, they are just different. I don't know what causes the energy difference though.

I'm a sloth. Since I started taking antidepressants, 12 years ago, I've been exhausted. I spend all my days lounging around. Hate having to do anything. I eat well, walk a lot, take multivitamins and get tons of sleep. But I just have no energy! My partner, on the other hand, is always bouncing around, full of energy. It's mad.

This.

I agree, the amount of people who say they don't have time for XYZ (I know, I've said it in the past) but will sit scrolling for hours.

I'm 50 and love the gym and if I'm not in there after work, I'll take myself off for a run or a power walk. DH and I pretty much plan every hour of our weekends as we don't want to be sat around.

My 20 something colleagues love the fact they WFH, log off, binge watch Netflix and go to bed at 9pm. I couldn't think of anything worse than finishing work and sitting in front of the TV all evening. Each to their own, I guess.

I am heading into separation I think partly because of this difference. My parents haven't lived together since the 80s, but are both from very working class backgrounds and use every minute wisely but well. They can relax, they read and have lots of friends but they also never waste a minute. If it isn't growing their own food, it's having immaculately maintained houses, sewing or making something.

My possibly soon to be ex husband would happily vegetate on his phone all day long. It seems to me to be such a waste of a one wild and precious life.

I’m a busy person in terms of job/family/pets/house/socialising but with my down/free time I’d rather do something like study online than do any form of exercise. I just hate it- all forms of it.

I used to be one of those busy people with boundless energy. One of those where people said "if you want something done get a busy person to do it" (ie me).
I hardly recognise that person so full of vitality now. Hit 60 and my energy fell off a cliff. And now love nothing more than sitting around and doing bugger all, given half a chance.
I think it's about knowing and accepting your limitations.

As someone who runs 4 times a week (60-70km at its peak) that time is when I fully relax mentally, I can go for a 2 1/2 hour run and have no idea what I was thinking about when I’m done. Nobody needs my attention, I can’t do any work etc etc. Don't get me wrong, I love a nap on the sofa too but being active is a great way to completely switch off from things.

Some people just like to have lots going on that's all I think. And as the saying goes " if you want something done ask a busy person"

I'm not sure it's upbringing that much. My brother and I had similar upbringing and are total different, he would be a sloth given a chance, same with my DDs. Total opposite every wise

For me they more I do , the more energy I have

I totally agree. I’m always exhausted (insomnia ) and so envious of people who have lots of energy. If I do manage to get up early and be productive I feel great but it’s rare.

Yeah I've always lacked energy. Was diagnosed last year with an underactive thyroid though no idea how long I've had it. Currently waiting for the meds to kick in and feeling what normal people feel for the first time in my life! Even my almost 80 year old mum has way more energy than me, makes me feel exhausted just hearing how much stuff she's packed into a day!

It annoys me how socially acceptable it still is to call people lazy when we've now got so much awareness around other health issues. It's not like most people just decide to be lazy they just physically find it so much harder to do things.

Yes to a degree but I do also think there are a lot of people who eat a shit diet, have vitamin deficiencies, don’t do any exercise, who then wonder why they are always tired or think that people doing ‘normal’ stuff are somehow really energetic. I used to think I wasn’t energetic but then I cleaned up my diet, lost weight, sorted some vitamin issues and started to exercise and now I have a shit ton more energy than I had when I was 10-15 years younger.

I do think this is true to an extent but I also think positive habits feed each other and give you more energy. When I make a point of exercising, I’m thirsty after so I drink more water, already in my activewear and then need to shower and get dressed instead of staying in my loungewear. Then after I’ve made the effort I think I should probably eat something with proteins and veg. By then I’m feeling super productive and proud of myself and I’ve had a dopamine hit so I’m then more likely to get some housework done or tick off some jobs. This keeps me busy and then I feel tired in the evening so go to bed on time and get enough sleep, then I’m more likely to feel energised enough to do all the same the next day!! Admittedly this really doesn’t happen very often in my house but when it does I can really see how people get so much done and feel so energised.

For me it’s all about how I start my day - if I wake up and check Mumsnet/social media I end up coming back to it again and again, sitting on the sofa, then I make lots of cups of tea, eat biscuits and do very little! Then surprise surprise I’m not very energised!

obviously different when health issues etc. are in play but I do think it can be a vicious cycle. I remember watching a video where somebody said your body isn’t giving you any energy because you aren’t doing anything, if you get up and do something it will give you energy. Again illness/conditions aside I do think there’s some truth to this. Sleep is absolutely key for me, I have an enforced 10:30 bedtime so I get 8 hours of sleep or I’m useless!

Are you me?

I’m in my 40s, one child (4), demanding job and I have nothing in the tank.

Last year I managed to keep up running small distances fairly consistently, and this year I’ve started bootcamps once a week, so I’m not totally unfit, but I get a couple of hours of energy from exercise and then I feel a crash.

One late night out and I’m wiped the next day!

I think I probably need 9 hrs of sleep a night, and I also love quality time with the sofa!

Completely agree - I have high sleep needs, always have. I go to bed at 10 on the dot and I could easily sleep until 8am if my alarm didn’t go off. On office days when I am up at 6:30, I’m exhausted.

I go to the gym 3 times a week. I eat well. I’ve tried various supplements over the years. I’m just tired.