At the same time though, I think that laziness is also real. I experience it all of the time. I also think that laziness can in some sense conspire with discouragement and depression. It can be like a perfect storm of environmental factors (the outer events that lead to discouragement) and moral weakness (the inner motive of sloth). So, if it is a real factor (the inner moral weakness) then why not acknowledge its presence?

I was very poor in my late 20’s. There were many factors that led me to that point, but, from hind site, I think that laziness was definitely one of the causes. So I am admitting that it has affected me (and still does to some extent.) As nearly as I can tell, laziness is a forbidden topic but it is, at the same time, one of the biggest drivers for poverty and misery in the US.

I run a charity to offer free, on-going encouragement and support to people who believe and are willing to confidentially admit that laziness has been a factor in their lives. I don’t accuse people of being lazy – I only look for volunteers who are willing to admit to it, from the beginning. About 1% of the people who hear about what I am doing will privately say to me, “yes, what you are talking about describes me … I am lazy.” If that 1% holds true across the whole of America then it would mean that more people are affected by laziness than are affected by many of the more “well-known” disabling physical illness. If it’s real, then lets talk about it.

Thanks for writing this article. You got me thinking!

@Scot_R