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Original poster

I am unbelievably lazy. Please help.

88 replies

Winterplant · 05/03/2021 22:58

I am so lazy.

All the time.

I work from home mostly. I have a computer set up from a table, we were not given laptops. I spend 90% of my working day under the duvet in bed watching YouTube or on mumsnet or other sites. Not even sitting up, but lying down. I get so tired from sitting at my desk even only for a short period.

When I am in the office I obviously have to sit at my desk but every 10 minutes or so I look at the news or Instagram.

I cook home cooked meals daily (only quick things that take under half an hour usually) but after I've eaten I just want to go back in bed and go on my laptop and phone.

The flat is tidy but not clean. I can't summon the energy to clean the bathroom more often than on a monthly basis or so. My partner does the washing up daily. He vacuums every couple of weeks. It is just us 2 so the flat doesn't get hideous but it isn't clean!

Why am I like this? I want to change. Please help me with practical steps to take...

OP posts:
MaraScottie · 05/03/2021 23:02

What do you want to do OP? Exercise? Hobbies? Socialising (post-COVID).

Do you exercise, get out of the house?

MaraScottie · 05/03/2021 23:04

If you're looking for practical steps, I would strongly recommend you get out for a walk in the mornings before you log on to work for the day. It's hard at first, but when you wake up, grab a coffee, throw on your shoes and head out for a 30 minute walk. You can get an audiobook or music for company and just start the day off the right way.

BLTLover · 05/03/2021 23:05

I'm lazy too Blush

quarentini · 05/03/2021 23:07

You need a routine to reboot yourself.
Up shower and dressed.
Work sat up at the table.
Washer on while working.
List of jobs that can be done and just cross them off as you have done them.
Get out for a walk for 30 mins minimum daily .

SmallPrawnEnergy · 05/03/2021 23:08

I would say there is more going on than laziness. Have you always been like this? I found depression played a lot into my laziness, always wanting to be on my phone as it drown out everything else. I’m not tying to diagnose but how have you been feeling in regards to that? Have you lost interest in things, seeing any other classic markers, it’s not all feeling sad / gloom / doom etc.

Original poster
Winterplant · 05/03/2021 23:10

@MaraScottie

What do you want to do OP? Exercise? Hobbies? Socialising (post-COVID).

Do you exercise, get out of the house?

I do a little bit of exercise every morning - about 15 minutes or so. I could definitely do more in the evenings but again, too tired.

I want to become more efficient at work so I am not madly stressed at the last minute.

OP posts:
Original poster
Winterplant · 05/03/2021 23:13

@SmallPrawnEnergy

I would say there is more going on than laziness. Have you always been like this? I found depression played a lot into my laziness, always wanting to be on my phone as it drown out everything else. I’m not tying to diagnose but how have you been feeling in regards to that? Have you lost interest in things, seeing any other classic markers, it’s not all feeling sad / gloom / doom etc.
I don't think I'm depressed. I have interests - a massive obsession with food - I love making restaurant quality food but again I'm lazy/I get too tired to stand up for 1 hour +. I also have got into working out since last year (only 15 minutes daily but I am motivated to get a better body)
OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 05/03/2021 23:20

Have you had your iron levels/full blood count checked?

NoSquirrels · 05/03/2021 23:27

Are you tired or are you lazy?

You say you get extremely tired from regular stuff like being in the kitchen for more than an hour, being at your desk. But then you say in the office you need distraction (checking Instagram).

Is it genuine tiredness or is it needing to distract yourself?

Have you always felt like this or is it more recent?

I know that I can be prone to a self-talk that borders on self-pity (“I’m just so tired”) when actually if I challenge myself it’s not that I’m actually tired but I don’t want to do something for a different reason.

If you’re genuinely tired by being up for more than 1 hour that’s a medical issue.

If you’re choosing to tell yourself you’re tired that’s something else (and not necessarily laziness).

Howshouldibehave · 05/03/2021 23:30

Are you actually tired? If so, I think you need to see a doctor.

LaurieFairyCake · 05/03/2021 23:34

Rule out being tired for a physical reason

And then circle back round to that this 'laziness' (you're not bloody lazy) is because we're in a pandemic, life is shit and this is your coping mechanism.

Once life restarts you'll feel better Smile

Tinty · 05/03/2021 23:39

What were you like before working from home? Did you do much more work, at work, or did you do the least possible to get your work done?

I am not being mean just trying to work out, if naturally you just work at a slower pace or if it is since lockdown.

SignsofSpring · 05/03/2021 23:54

After about a month at home in the first lockdown, I wrote myself out a schedule for every day and for weekends, it had a complete list from 'get up out of bed' 'take tablets' 'eat breakfast' and then one important household chore, daily exercise, work timetable (and another list for the work) and I followed it for about 6 months before I didn't need it any more.

It was overwhelming to me to have all that time to get work done and I just let work seep into everything whilst really not concentrating on it. Now I start work (at home) at 9ish, having done some chores, have a proper lunchtime, and keep going til about 3-4 (with another hour in the evening if I need to). I ticked off each day what I'd done and moved tasks not done on one day onto the next.

I just couldn't seem to structure my life without doing that, and it made me feel really lost and quite down, once I was back on a schedule, even an artificial one, it was a lot better. Tasks like showering/self-care, washing up, dealing with bills, even contacting family, were all in there (e.g. list of friends, list of family, suggested days for contacting them).

It might not work for you, but it really did help me and I haven't struggled as much as many with lockdown, my main struggle has been difficult children which I can't put on a list to solve!

WhoStoleMyCheese · 05/03/2021 23:55

OP are you sure you don't have ADHD? Have you alayws been like this o is it just Covid?
I have ADHD and am so incredibly lazy.. if I won the lottery I would spend half my life daydreaming and the other half pottering about aimlessly... once Im under a duvet i wont move and I check the news every 10 mins too, can't focus, need hits of instant gratification

SignsofSpring · 05/03/2021 23:57

I also agree though if you tired even sitting at a desk for a short while, then having a blood test at the drs to rule out anaemia or something like that might be very sensible as a starting point. I'd also take B vits, Vit D spray (you can get it on Amazon) just to make sure you are in the best shape possible. You can then work on routines and motivating yourself from a reasonable health point of view. This last lockdown has demotivated a lot of people though.

Nomorerainplease · 06/03/2021 00:00

I also wonder if you ADHD and if you are stuck in the procrastination/perfectionism cycle. If you have zero motivation it may be depression

Nannyamc · 06/03/2021 00:00

I had this problem too. Just put it down to lockdown blues. Had blood tests in oct which showed low iron level and vitamins b12 very low. Have been getting injections and supplements for 5 months now. 100%
Back on top now.

ThePlantsitter · 06/03/2021 00:03

I'm lazy too. Start small. Maybe get up, dressed and put your shoes on in the morning? That's a good way to be ready for things.

Original poster
Winterplant · 06/03/2021 09:16

@Tinty

What were you like before working from home? Did you do much more work, at work, or did you do the least possible to get your work done?

I am not being mean just trying to work out, if naturally you just work at a slower pace or if it is since lockdown.

I did the least work possible to get the work done even before lockdown and the pandemic
OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 06/03/2021 09:40

You sound more overwhelmed than lazy. If you’ve always been like this - and as others have said ADHD is a possibility - then it’s hard to know.

I spend hours sitting on the sofa, my brain going a million miles a minute, can’t get started on anything. Good habits are hard to build up.

CausingChaos2 · 06/03/2021 09:44

Definitely get a physical cause ruled out. The first thing that springs to mind is POTS if you can’t tolerate being upright.

riotlady · 06/03/2021 09:49

I’d also suggest getting your vitamin D checked, as that can contribute to fatigue and it’s very common to be deficient, especially in the UK. Sounds like it’s not just laziness if you are getting tired so easily

SingToTheSky · 06/03/2021 09:50

Yes definitely ask for full blood count and stuff like thyroid

POTS is a good shout, does your heart rate increase a lot when you stand up?

Gilead · 06/03/2021 09:54

I was part of a professional diagnostic team before retirement. I get peed of at online diagnoses, but actually I’m in agreement with those saying get checked for ADHD.

Original poster
Winterplant · 06/03/2021 09:54

@Nomorerainplease

I also wonder if you ADHD and if you are stuck in the procrastination/perfectionism cycle. If you have zero motivation it may be depression
Maybe ADD instead of ADHD. I'm book smart but work well under pressure at the last minute I haven't got hyperactivity problems
OP posts: