I’m always aiming to end up somewhere like this.
Confession: In my heart, I am a lazy woman. Many times people compliment my energy and productivity, but I realized the truth a long time ago – most of what I do I do because I am trying to get enough accomplished so I can goof off for awhile. I love nothing better than to find myself with a free afternoon, a comfortable spot to lounge, and an absorbing novel or a string of old British sit-coms.
Today here at In My Kitchen, In My Life, we are starting a periodic series called Life for Lazy People, about the things I have learned that make it easier for a lazy person like me to get things done well and still have time to visit with Dr. Lewis and Mrs. Lindbergh or, yes, even Dame Judi Dench and Mr. Geoffry Palmer. I say “get things done well” because, although I am shamelessly lazy, excellence matters to me. There are people who count on me to do a good job with my responsibilities, to be productive, to serve. They deserve my best efforts, but if I can figure out a way to give excellent service without too much strain, this lazy person is thrilled.
Here are a few principles Lazy People should absorb and follow:
Spend time to make time. (Origin lost in the mists of time) This one is obvious, but maybe we don’t think about how many areas of life to which it applies. Start with a clean workspace to make cooking, crafting, painting, or whatever easier, more efficient, and more pleasant. Train your children diligently, starting when they are young, to make the teenage years far easier and more fun and to ensure a lifetime of close relationship. Pull up the weeds while they are small and long before they even think of going to seed to set yourself up for years of easier gardening to come. Check supplies before you start the recipe to ensure no mid-prep runs to the store.
Develop a front-log mentality. (credit: Don Aslett) Work ahead on big projects so they can be done in bite-sized chunks. Pace yourself according to your stamina, time available, and the predictability of your life. Margin is essential!
Do not make more than you are willing to maintain. (credit: me) Children. Pets. Activities. Flowerbeds. Commitments. Square-footage.
Here is enough to be going on with for today. It is really about using and developing our wisdom and circumspection (one of my favorite words!) to learn ways to make it possible for ourselves to be productively lazy.
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