Have you ever had one of those days when you just can’t seem to get moving—and find yourself saying, I’m so lazy?

Maybe you’re not lazy at all. Maybe you’re simply in a low-energy state.

In this short From the Therapy Room episode, Kate explores effort reduction bias—our very human tendency to conserve physical and mental energy—and how fatigue, stress, overwhelm, and competing demands can make the easiest option feel especially appealing.

The problem isn’t necessarily conserving energy. The problem comes when we turn a temporary state into an identity: I’m lazy. There’s something wrong with me.

Kate offers a simple alternative:

Recognize. Ask. Reframe. Recalibrate.

Notice what’s happening. Get curious about what your mind, body, and nervous system might be telling you. Shift the language from judgment to understanding. Then adjust the expectation to something that fits the energy you actually have available.

Maybe the 45-minute workout becomes a 10-minute walk.
Maybe cleaning the house becomes clearing one surface.
Maybe finishing the project becomes opening the document and working for 20 minutes.

Baby steps count. It all counts.

In this episode we explore:

• What effort reduction bias means
• Why humans naturally conserve energy
• The difference between a low-energy state and calling yourself “lazy”
• How self-judgment can turn a temporary state into an identity
• The Recognize → Ask → Reframe → Recalibrate framework
• The “low-hanging fruit” approach to getting something done
• Why gentleness and accountability can exist at the same time

And questions to take with you:

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” try asking, “What energy do I have available to me today?”

And remember: A state is not your identity.

Until next time!

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