DeepSummary
In this episode, social psychologist and author Devon Price discusses his research on the 'laziness lie' and how the notion of laziness is a flawed concept that society has internalized to shame and exploit people. He shares his personal journey of overcoming burnout and realizing the importance of rest and aligning one's life with personal values and limits. Price explains the three tenets of the laziness lie: that one's worth is tied to productivity, that one cannot trust their own feelings or limits, and that there is always more one could be doing.
Price delves into how the culture of overwork and disregarding bodily needs stems from generational trauma and the necessity for survival in previous eras. He argues that in the current age, this mindset is maladaptive and encourages people to listen to their dread, resentment, and discomfort as signals to set boundaries and prioritize self-care. He also touches on his gender journey and how unmasking allowed him to discover his authentic self.
The episode emphasizes the importance of rejecting societal pressures to be constantly productive and instead creating a life that aligns with one's values and brings genuine enjoyment. Price offers an exercise to reflect on moments when one felt most alive and use those experiences as a guide to reshape one's life. The overall message is to challenge the laziness lie and embrace rest, limits, and self-compassion.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The concept of 'laziness' is a flawed societal construct used to shame and exploit people.
- Constant productivity and disregarding one's limits and needs is a holdover from previous eras and is now maladaptive.
- Listen to signals like dread, resentment, and discomfort as signs to set boundaries and prioritize self-care.
- Create a life aligned with personal values and genuine enjoyment, rather than societal expectations.
- Appreciate the beauty in simply existing, without the need for constant productivity.
- Challenge harmful narratives about marginalized groups and treat all people with dignity and compassion.
- Reflect on moments when you felt most alive to guide the reshaping of your life.
- Embrace rest, limits, and self-compassion to avoid burnout and live authentically.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If him eating is the most beautiful thing I've seen in the world, like, maybe there are people that feel that way about me just existing, and maybe I can feel that way about other people. Like, we're just human animals, and that's enough.“ by Devon Price
- “Being committed to overwork is basically this dissociative state in a way, where you're disconnecting from your body.“ by Devon Price
- “I think if you're told that your worth is your productivity, that life is working, then if you flip that switch off and you say, okay, no, I'm not going to work. There's this chasm. What's my life meaning? How do I prove I'm a good person? What do I do with my time? What's meaningful?“ by Devon Price
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Episode Information
We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle and Audacy
4/25/24
303. Laziness Does Not Exist with Devon Price
Why are we so scared of laziness? How have we been convinced to tie our worthiness to busy-ness and how do we STOP and create lives we are excited to live?
Social psychologist and author, Devon Price, teaches us how we got bamboozled and sets us free from the Laziness Lie.
Discover:
-How to rest, reorient priorities, and say “No” to reclaim our time and energy and avoid burnout.
-Glennon asks Devin her favorite question: “What the hell is gender?”
-The importance of listening to dread and recognizing when something doesn’t feel right.
-Why resenting others for not doing enough often indicates that you're doing too much.
Plus, Devon shares an exercise for reflecting on the moments when you felt most yourself and aligned with your values – in order to create more meaningful life experiences.
About Devon:
Devon Price, PhD, is a social psychologist, professor, author, and proud Autistic person. His books include Unmasking Autism and Laziness Does Not Exist. His forthcoming book, Unlearning Shame, will be released in February 2024.
Devon’s research has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Devon’s writing has appeared in the Financial Times, HuffPost, The Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, and on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, and the BBC.
He lives in Chicago, where he serves as an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
TW: @drdevonprice
IG: @drdevonprice
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