Not All Pauses Are Lazy
Learning to Listen to Life
“Laziness is the mother of progress. If man had not been too lazy to walk, he would never have invented the wheel.” — Mario Quintana
Dear Reader,
I have always wished to create a word — a word that could express the act of a non-creative catharsis. A word that captures the weight pressing down on our shoulders when faced with constant decisions. A sound that speaks without speaking. The aphorism of creative stillness, rather than meaningless productivity. Strangely, as I stand still, I cannot fully describe or pronounce what I feel, but I know there is a sound for it.
Many condemn idleness, but I believe this inertia can be transformed into potential. Some call it a capital sin, yet in truth, it is often just a lack of vision. Idleness goes beyond simply standing still — it holds an unexplored creative spark. No one is “lazy” all the time; there are simply moments when motivation does not align with circumstance.
I began learning how to swim, drawn by the sense of freedom water gives me. In water, I feel like a bird in the sky — though without the proper breath (laughs). What I resist is not the activity itself, but the endless race against the clock, the trainer’s demands, and the draining of energy. There is nuance in what we call laziness: it is not always about refusing action, but about the environment and how we interact with it. Not everything we label as laziness is truly so — sometimes it is reflection, pause, or simply an inner recalibration.
When we stand before life-changing decisions, it is natural to slip into moments of stillness, hesitation, or retreat. The comfort zone is like a warm bed on a cold night — inviting, yet not meant to hold us forever. Staying too long in that space is like refusing to rise, even when the body aches to move.
This little ode is a reminder: being constantly connected, everywhere at once, endlessly scrolling, wearing the skin of hyper-productivity and perfectionism — that is the true anchor. Not every pause is harmful. Moving faster does not always mean moving in the right direction. Learn to read the limits of your body. Learn when to pause. And most of all — live.
References
Image: Domestic cat in rest by Kissu