One of my very worst qualities is how lazy I am. Seriously it’s a problem. For example: I LOVE to exercise but can never seem to get off the couch. I have so much fun once I’m out there doing something. I can never just DO IT. I set a goal and then don’t attend to it until the 11th hour.
Sometimes this works well. I breastfed Hudson for so long because it was convenient. I never had to wash bottles (dishes are my nemesis) I never had to go to the store at 11pm because I ran out of formula. When we went somewhere I didn’t worry about packing eating supplies because I had the source smuggled in my GIANT bra. Nighttime feeding? Easy peesy. I just rolled over and took out the boob. Homeboy just fed himself while I slept. It was perfect. It also facilitated what was basically cosleeping until Hudson was old enough to sleep through the night (at about 2ish months) Not out of attachment parenting. Out of LAZINESS. I’d rather sleep & if Hudson slept better in my bed? Perfect! I’m tired! Part of my laziness also led me to cloth diaper. THEY DELIVER DIAPERS TO YOU!! I use a service. They do the laundry & I never run out of diapers. No late night Target or Safeway runs. Perfect for a lazy ass like me. Plus, it has benefits to my kids and the environment which basically makes them a no-brainer for me.
Then, when I had the twins breastfeeding was OK for a while but then I got SOOOO anxious because after Sawyer would take a million years to feed I knew Truman was waiting to eat as well. I was, unfortunately, too LAZY to do it. Despite the fact that I had obstacles like a 13 month old running around and it took away from his Mommy time in a LARGE way seeing as 1 hour plus of every 2 hours was spent feeding babies. But at least a part of me was lazy. And that blows because at 5 months they would be feeding less frequently on most days and we are now on a schedule where only two of the twins feedings take place while Hudson is actually awake. So now? I PINE for breastfeeding. I miss it ridiculous amounts and I feel like I have betrayed my children & myself by not sticking with it. Laziness, I blame you.
Last night, I went on a hike with my friend Mario & I LOVED IT. Trail hiking is so much fun! I like it much more than walking on the bay trail. But it was HARD. I made myself go. And I complained WAYYYY to much while walking. But I had so much fun. And I need to make myself do that kind of thing more. Because I love it once I’m there. Same with losing the 40 pounds I need to get SERIOUS about losing. After the twins I dropped a considerable amount of weight but that number has slowly crept back up. I gained 50 pounds with the twins and when I got pregnant I still had about 10 left on me from Hudson’s pregnancy. So, basically I have only lost 20 pounds of my twin baby weight. 40 pounds need to be lost just to be where I was before I got pregnant with Hudson. And even then I was heavier than I’d like to be. It’s sick. But, again: laziness. Instead of preparing a healthy meal for breakfast or lunch I go with easy- toast with butter or crackers or basically anything I can get someone to bring me on their lunch break. I swear I’m gonna take this more seriously- because I have to! But laziness is such a hurdle for me. I’m not the type of person who gets stir crazy sitting in the house either. I don’t mind never leaving the house. Scary, I know. But I’d say that’s an advantage in my line of work. I love the isolation 90% of the time. Not getting dressed? I’d love to! Thanks!
Tonight my buddy Kristi got her son (who is 3 months younger than Hudson) to pee on the toilet by using advice from another friend Emily who’s daughter is also 3 months younger than Hudson. I was jealous. Because I have been “trying” to potty train Hudson for like 3 months. But then I stopped to think about it. And really? I haven’t done SHIT to potty train. The little Hudson knows is pretty much self-taught. He usually goes into the bathroom on his own several times a day and sits on the toilet fully clothed and makes a “shhhhhh” water sound and then ‘flushes’ the potty. Yeah, I mean, I taught him that. But, I still have yet to see anything besides his foot in that little container for pee & poo. Hudson shows so much readiness & I am being LAZY. He brings me diapers when he has gone in his diaper. Literally, he has done this several times. Today I told him it was time to change a diaper and (being lazy) asked him to get me one & he did. He knows what his peepee is. He watches us use the bathroom. I am just not diligent in taking him to go EVERY 45 minutes. I need to be. I swear he’d have it in no time if I could conquer my own laziness. We’d both be happier.
I need to find ways to combat my sloth. I need to make myself get out to the park with the kids even if actually getting down the flight of stairs with the 3 kids takes me an hour. Even if I have to push a stroller a mile with a 25 pound toddler strapped to my back. I have to force the laziness out of my house and slam the door. Because I have 3 children who look to ME (Lazina McLazerson, Queen of Lazytown) to teach them what is acceptable. And being a fat lump on a log sitting in front of the TV? NOT OK. I need you internet types to hold me to this, because my real life friends might be too nice to say “Hey you- get off your ass & DO SOMETHING!” especially when I usually have a very convincing argument against doing anything that requires getting dressed. As long as no one wants me to do stuff at night. Because by the time 5 PM rolls around- I’m usually too tired from sitting on the couch taking care of my 3 children all day that I really do just need to veg out.
Make me do this. Seriously. I want borderline rude tweets, comments & emails daily from anyone who cares about me that say things to the effect of “If you are sitting on the couch so help me god- I’m coming over there to hit you!” or “Hey- let’s go to the park. You have no choice.” or even- “let’s go walk around Target for 4 hours.” That last one I will definitely agree to.
August 5th, 2010 - 7:19 AM
Oh my goodness I have the same problem. I need someone to yell at me too. Because otherwise? I seriously sit around all. day. long.
I'll totally check up on you if you'll do the same for me. Something needs to change but I don't think it will unless I have someone to kick my butt for me.
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August 5th, 2010 - 7:40 AM
this might sound weird coming from me as i've been told i come off as a pretty motivated person – but lady? i have a SERIOUS lazy-streak myself! i know exactly what you mean about being oddly content with isolation/very little to do: I LOVE SITTING AROUND THE HOUSE. i have absolutely zero qualms with going no where for days on end. it doesn't phase me a bit. it's actually a running joke with anyone who knows me pretty well – what are emily's REAL favorite hobbies?: watching tv series/movies on dvd, preferably with an extra-icy rum & coke in hand, and dinking around on the internet… it's 100% true.
when i first had poppy, david was laid off from his job and i held pretty steadfast on to my laziness. d pretty much had to fight me to get out of the house, which i never wanted to do because it was just plain easier to take care of poppy while sticking close to home. my version of a "big day" was slapping on enough makeup to look presentable for snapping some fun new pictures with my kid. i HATED going to my part-time job – i was late for every. single. shift. but i really turned a corner motivation-wise when poppy was around 8 months old; i pretty much realized that i wasn't being active enough as a mom – i was keeping poppy indoors way too often, relying on david to clean/do laundry/get groceries when he got home from work (NOT fair to him!), and generally making an unreasonable amount of excuses as to why i "couldn't" do such-and-rather. i'm not saying i have all the answers, but from that point i've made a lot of improvements with how i run my personal/work/mommy/wife living: more often than not, when i think of something small that needs to be done, i literally BOLT up and just do it. physically moving faster burns more calories, and you won't feel guilty later for not having finished something you should have! it works! i swear, you'll be amazed at how fast you can do dishes/laundry/tidying up baby things if you deliberately rush. it might sound strange, but it's been a big help for me!
personally, i started kicking my lazy habit by making absolutely sure that i completed certain goals every day, without fail: have bottles & dishes washed before d gets home, make my coffee for the next morning, dress the baby in real clothes whether or not we have plans to go out, and have at least a plan about what to do for dinner. those things are SO simple but doing them consistently has led to me feeling a LOT better about myself. plus after you're getting tasks done consistently, you'll find yourself automatically less overwhelmed because your to-do list is shorter – which leads to feeling more calm & secure about making outside plans.
anyway, those specific examples are easy for me to say because HI i have only one kid. (; but the principle still applies – when you find yourself with a minute and you're sitting there and your mind wanders towards that *thing* you need to do, i say jump up and just do it! force yourself to, because the payoff is good, my friend.
anyway, i know this is another EPIC ramble from me, but i'm telling myself it's what you were asking for so there you have it. haha! best of luck to you on your un-lazing! i love you, lady!
ps is it weird that hearing how lazy you naturally are makes me want to hang out with you even more? like, because i know we both REALLY appreciate a good, long sit?
xoxoxo!
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August 5th, 2010 - 8:26 AM
Oh, hello person living my exact same life! Laziness is currently my single most defining quality. My fat ass should be going for a walk around the park that is RIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE every day, but instead I find myself watching reruns of Gilmore Girls and Grey's Anatomy while wearing the same sweats for days and munching on whatever shitty food I can get my hands on as the child sits attached to my boob.
Motivation is a tricky bitch, especially in your situation where I envision just getting those kids dressed and fed every day is a nearly insurmountable task. But you're right that our kids watch us. Sure, Mac is just over a month and obviously isn't picking up on anything, but it's time to lay the groundwork. If I want him to one day run around and play outside, then ilve gotta show him how thatls done.
So let's hold each other accountable, ok? Because this definitely not a problem unique to your home.
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August 5th, 2010 - 8:44 AM
1. Why the hell am I on this damn computer and not in bed?!? I think I'm going to ban myself from using the computer tomorrow. This is becoming a problem.
2. I combat my inner-laziness with the clock. For example, when I finally get M&L down for their nap I'm so frickin' tired of DOING stuff all morning that all I want to do is sit on the couch and read a book, watch TV, use the computer, etc. But instead, I'll look at the clock and tell myself, "OK. It's 12:45. I need to be accomplishing things until 1:30, and then however much longer they nap I can be totally lazy and useless." Then I rush around like a mad person for 45 minutes cleaning, doing random crap that needs to be done, and it actually turns into kind of a game because it's like, "HOW MUCH can I get done before my time is up?" Yes. I'm that big of a dork.
I think the reason this works for me is that I feel like I'm entitled to lazy time after I've been productive.
Another thing that works well for me is "daily outing." When I'm home with M&L, I'm out the door of our house by 10 am at the latest. If we don't have plans with friends or errands to run, we're getting in the stroller and walking to the park. How do I make myself leave the house (because I, too, am a total homebody and I hate getting dressed, brushing my hair, pretending I know how to use makeup, etc.)? I bribe myself. I don't ever make coffee at home, I have to leave my house and buy it. Maybe not the most economical solution, but for a few bucks a day I get my ass out into the world and my kids get to go places and do fun things. Plus, I've found that the morning goes by way faster and I end up having more fun to.
Whew! That was long. Maybe now I'm tired enough to actually get some slllleeeeep! We're going to a petting zoo tomorrow. I might need a coffee before AND after that experience.
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August 5th, 2010 - 11:52 AM
Love the ideas from others…you are not alone in this!
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August 5th, 2010 - 12:42 PM
i too am lazy. but back in april i knew i needed to change things. so i joined a gym. now i am not saying "hey em…go join a gym" but it has been HUGE for ella and for myself. 1. you have to sign up ahead of time for a time slot in the child watch…so this FORCES me to go. 2. ella LOVES it. so on top of having to sign up….i know how much she enjoys it…makes me want to go. 3. i am forced for an hour and a half to do something physical.
now i know not everyone can afford a gym…we most certainly can not…but i paid for a year up front…and they gave me 2 months free for doing so…i now have a membership until next june. so in a small way all gym info could be irrelivent when i start on this next bit.
when i joined my gym i got to have a body analysis done with a trainer. and from that i learned ALOT of information. apparently after we have babies…our bodies hold on to a fat store for 12 months. i myself have noticed that my "fat" is different now that i have passed this 12 month mark. i still have it…but i lays different on my body. your probably thinking well kerri you joined a gym…maybe thats why…but to be honest…i go to the gym…but i DO NOT eat to aid all my hard work exercising. (something i am working on.)
it takes 14-21 days of doing something to have it come naturally. try maybe saying you will got to the park mon. wed. and fri. FORCE yourself to do it for 3 weeks. you will see how much your kids enjoy it…and by week 3 the walk won't seem so hard. we build endurance faster than you would think.
you can do this. i will check in with you daily via email if you want…we can tell eachother what we did or DIDN'T do. another way you can incorporate it into blogging is take photos doing things…and then write about them in photo blog style! not alot of writing.
email me…i would LOVE to help…and i need HELF myself!!! so this could be a win for both of us!!!
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August 5th, 2010 - 1:06 PM
I could have written this post. Seriously. I'd love to hear if you find out what works for you. When I get home from work at night , after I cook dinner, I am practically useless. You're not alone.
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August 5th, 2010 - 2:00 PM
Ohhhhh this makes me happy. I mean not HAPPY. But relieved I am not the only one. As I am slouched on the couch going through my google reader with the space bar because I'm too lazy to scroll. And I need to clean out my google reader because I don't even LIKE some of the blogs I am subscribed to, but I'm too lazy. I have to leave my house at least twice a week to help with my PPD. And while it totally helps I dread it because that means I have to get ready during nap time & not watch The Doctors & All My Children. Once I am out I am usually glad that I got into gear.
What you need to find is a park with a FroYo place on the way so you can stop for something yummy for yourself and make it to the park with the wee people!! (Food is my motivation)
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August 5th, 2010 - 4:30 PM
If laziness was an Olympic sport, I would have a gold medal. There are a pair of dirty socks sitting on my kitchen counter that have been there for a WEEK because every time I remember them I'm sitting on the couch or already upstairs and can't be bothered to take them to the laundry basket. My garden is a DISASTER. My car is a DISASTER. My bathrooms are DISGUSTING. All my clean clothes are lying on the floor of my closet because hanging them up is too much work for my lazy lazy ass.
BUT. I went to Stroller Strides this morning. And yesterday morning. And the morning before that. Since I'm paying $40 a month for a membership I feel like I HAVE to go, and once Baby Evan and I are already dressed and out the door it's so much more likely we'll keep doing stuff – run errands, go to the aquarium, see friends. Joining that stupid stroller class has been the absolute best thing ever for me, not because of the actual exercise (although it is DEFINITELY helping me keep my weight in check this pregnancy) but because it forces me to go somewhere. I spent the first 6 months of his life counting the hours until my husband got home and now there are days when HE gets home before I do.
Although when he does get home first, he wonders why there are strawberries all over the floor, the laundry isn't done and the dog is starving. I guess I'll never win them all.
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August 5th, 2010 - 9:57 AM
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Suzanne Davis, Emmie Bee. Emmie Bee said: Blog:: Sloth. http://www.emmiebee.com/2010/08/05/sloth/ [...]
August 5th, 2010 - 5:21 PM
I just wish I could be as organized and productive at home as I was when I still worked. Maybe I need to start approaching my homekeeping and childrearing duties like I did at work. It is back to school shopping time, I think I will arm myself with a new notebook and some sticky notes and try and do a weekly to do list.
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August 5th, 2010 - 6:02 PM
I'm a sloth too; I require the same kind of 'encouragement' lol.
I need to get off my ass and clean my bedroom, for example…yet here we are…
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August 5th, 2010 - 8:10 PM
But I'm just as lazy. Can you just forward the emails you get to me too? But yeah, walk around Target. That's like my only exercise these days. Oh wait, Abby is a super fast crawler so I am chasing her around all day. Surely taking care of three kids burns some calories. Give yourself a break. You are amazing for doing what you do! Wait. I guess you don't want to hear that anymore. GET OFF THE COUCH LADY! Was that better?
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August 7th, 2010 - 3:26 PM
emily. you and i could be best fucking friends. friends that never saw each other because were both too lazy to get dressed and leave the house to meet up. i am sooo this way. i feel guilty sometimes because maybe liv could be learning and experiencing more if it werent for my laziness. i'll encourage you via tweet. but you better encourage me too!
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August 7th, 2010 - 5:13 PM
I want to leave a longer comment … but I am too lazy. Glad I'm not the only one!
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July 25th, 2011 - 12:42 AM
You can definitely see your skills within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
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