The two most important things that happened to me with age are 1) an increasing awareness that I know nothing, or rather, that I'm unsure of things, and that I'm willing to let go of beliefs and dogmatic thoughts and carved-in-stone ideas to embrace the uncertain, unlearn, and re-learn, and 2) the realization that fear cannot be eliminated, that's there to stay, that the word "fearless" doesn't exist, it's a social construct that we've given ourselves in hope to mitigate whatever needs mitigation in our heads.
I think your beautiful essay deals (directly or indirectly) with both those things. I find that laziness is essential to evolve, to let new thoughts take over without rejection, to doubt things, to unlearn and re-learn. It sounds like a paradox, but I've seen this on myself: the more I let myself into a state of unplugged-ness, the more I let this "socially unacceptable state" take over, the more all these things happen. No matter the negative connotation that people attribute to the word and the "state", laziness is useful. Laziness is a social construct as well, and I think that we should make the effort of separating "what it says to us" from "what it does to us". I'm 100% with you when you say that laziness is the manifestation of fear. But I've come to believe that dealing with fear is the ultimate accomplishment of our existence, the ultimate productivity tool (to use a positive connotation word that I don't like, but that conveys the point). If we become friends with fear, we see laziness in a different light, as something essential and helpful.
There's a lot to unpack in this piece, Camilo. On a theme that I've been thinking about a lot. Bravo :)
This is spot on: "Laziness is the manifestation of inaction triggered by our fears."
I love the two questions you pose at the end. This is exactly what I needed to read today. I often wake up with productivity hangovers on Saturdays, and I try to nurse them by checking off my weekend to-do list. But all I want to do is get lost on Spotify or hang out at the local bookstore. The next time my alter ego calls me "Lazy Bones", I'll tell her "Leave me alone! I'm playing."
Having seen myself go from productivity tool nerd to internalizing my work ethic but trying to be more chill and flow with things, I totally get this.
We did a podcast with Matt Shook, the founder of JuiceLand, a smoothie chain in Texas, and his unconventional path to entrepreneurship leaned heavily on what he calls "the slacker mindset": https://youtu.be/jEOS5Nk-APk?t=301
I loved how this turned out Camilo. I struggle a lot to disaggregate inaction with laziness, to separate forward motion and progress. Trying to build more wandering into my life.
Thanks for being open and sharing this! This line really hit - "Laziness is a defense mechanism that protects from fear." Our minds are so powerful. And you're so right, our culture glorifies busyness... it takes such courage to step out of that and slow down, give space for silence, and wrestle with those trolls that pop up. What an adventure it is to forge your own path and seek meaning vs comfort!
Inaction is definitely not the same as laziness. I think a lot about how important wonder and aimlessness are and how rare those modes of being are in adult life.
This was such an interesting reflection and commentary, Camilo (with an ‘i’). It flows really well, and I love your playful meta-comments, about “inaction” and your McConaughey conclusion.
This was one of the best elucidations I've ever read on why our soul naturally and intelligently puts the brakes on the bulldozer of busyness. May you linger long in the liminal space and find a way to pay your bills without having to leave it.
Loved this one. Super insightful, really funny (fucking Camelo!), and a man after my own heart with this message.
Tons of quotables. A favorite: "Whenever you hear “people are lazy,” it is said is if it was an irremediable condition, a life-long disease. But laziness is not the disease, it’s the symptom."
Camilo, I loved this reflection! I went through something very similar when I left my job and so much of what you talk about here resonated. I felt so guilty for a while because I often wondered if I was lazy. I wish I had the self compassion you are showing yourself here. I think embracing inaction, rest, self care, doing things because I felt like it in that moment, are all the things that seemed lazy that actually led me to where I am now. Also, Camelo slayyyyed me hahaha. The footnote made it even better.
Tell Canelo to take these fingers and rearrange them into a commonly shown expression.
There is a time for rest and reflection. Action with intention comes from a rested mind.
If you are a sloth who can read then you are a very talented sloth, Camelo.
The two most important things that happened to me with age are 1) an increasing awareness that I know nothing, or rather, that I'm unsure of things, and that I'm willing to let go of beliefs and dogmatic thoughts and carved-in-stone ideas to embrace the uncertain, unlearn, and re-learn, and 2) the realization that fear cannot be eliminated, that's there to stay, that the word "fearless" doesn't exist, it's a social construct that we've given ourselves in hope to mitigate whatever needs mitigation in our heads.
I think your beautiful essay deals (directly or indirectly) with both those things. I find that laziness is essential to evolve, to let new thoughts take over without rejection, to doubt things, to unlearn and re-learn. It sounds like a paradox, but I've seen this on myself: the more I let myself into a state of unplugged-ness, the more I let this "socially unacceptable state" take over, the more all these things happen. No matter the negative connotation that people attribute to the word and the "state", laziness is useful. Laziness is a social construct as well, and I think that we should make the effort of separating "what it says to us" from "what it does to us". I'm 100% with you when you say that laziness is the manifestation of fear. But I've come to believe that dealing with fear is the ultimate accomplishment of our existence, the ultimate productivity tool (to use a positive connotation word that I don't like, but that conveys the point). If we become friends with fear, we see laziness in a different light, as something essential and helpful.
There's a lot to unpack in this piece, Camilo. On a theme that I've been thinking about a lot. Bravo :)
This is spot on: "Laziness is the manifestation of inaction triggered by our fears."
I love the two questions you pose at the end. This is exactly what I needed to read today. I often wake up with productivity hangovers on Saturdays, and I try to nurse them by checking off my weekend to-do list. But all I want to do is get lost on Spotify or hang out at the local bookstore. The next time my alter ego calls me "Lazy Bones", I'll tell her "Leave me alone! I'm playing."
Having seen myself go from productivity tool nerd to internalizing my work ethic but trying to be more chill and flow with things, I totally get this.
We did a podcast with Matt Shook, the founder of JuiceLand, a smoothie chain in Texas, and his unconventional path to entrepreneurship leaned heavily on what he calls "the slacker mindset": https://youtu.be/jEOS5Nk-APk?t=301
I loved how this turned out Camilo. I struggle a lot to disaggregate inaction with laziness, to separate forward motion and progress. Trying to build more wandering into my life.
This piece will stick with me!
Thanks for being open and sharing this! This line really hit - "Laziness is a defense mechanism that protects from fear." Our minds are so powerful. And you're so right, our culture glorifies busyness... it takes such courage to step out of that and slow down, give space for silence, and wrestle with those trolls that pop up. What an adventure it is to forge your own path and seek meaning vs comfort!
Inaction is definitely not the same as laziness. I think a lot about how important wonder and aimlessness are and how rare those modes of being are in adult life.
This was such an interesting reflection and commentary, Camilo (with an ‘i’). It flows really well, and I love your playful meta-comments, about “inaction” and your McConaughey conclusion.
This was one of the best elucidations I've ever read on why our soul naturally and intelligently puts the brakes on the bulldozer of busyness. May you linger long in the liminal space and find a way to pay your bills without having to leave it.
Loved this one. Super insightful, really funny (fucking Camelo!), and a man after my own heart with this message.
Tons of quotables. A favorite: "Whenever you hear “people are lazy,” it is said is if it was an irremediable condition, a life-long disease. But laziness is not the disease, it’s the symptom."
Banger, man.
such a great and real piece! definitely been feeling this myself, and loved how you phrased and reflected on it
Camilo, I loved this reflection! I went through something very similar when I left my job and so much of what you talk about here resonated. I felt so guilty for a while because I often wondered if I was lazy. I wish I had the self compassion you are showing yourself here. I think embracing inaction, rest, self care, doing things because I felt like it in that moment, are all the things that seemed lazy that actually led me to where I am now. Also, Camelo slayyyyed me hahaha. The footnote made it even better.