Are we becoming lazier?

5 am reflections

Are We Becoming Lazier?

By the looks of it, I am inclined to say, "Yes!" Modern life, wrapped in its metaphorical plush sofas, cushions, comforters, and quilts, has turned existence into a buffet of convenience—and we’re piling our plates high. Between growing waistlines and shrinking step counts, it’s hard to ignore the fact that as a race, we are lazier than ever, and things are getting worse.

I was born and brought up in Allahabad, a small town, where life was simple, even idyllic. Walking or cycling wasn’t just transportation, it was life itself. Whether it was school, church, errands, or visiting a friend, my trusty cycle was my trusted companion, and it served me well .

When I visited Amsterdam some years ago, it was indeed a refreshing eye-opener to see how many people used bicycles as a means of transport.

Moving to The Bishop's School in Pune, brought more structure but no gadgets or apps to make life easier. We didn’t Google; we flipped through Encyclopedia Britannica, carefully searching for answers. Learning took effort. I spent hours in the library at weekends preparing for lessons and taking handwritten notes as a means of reference.

Today, technology does so much of the work for us. Mobile phones are our lifelines—connecting us, helping us navigate, and reminding us of everything from appointments to groceries. Forget your phone at home when you go out and one feels strangely nervous.

Personal grooming is being done effortlessly too: hair stylists and beauticians visit us at home, and vans equipped to groom cats and dogs pull up at our doorsteps. Fuel, food, groceries, even laundry—it all arrives at home with a few taps. Robot vacuum cleaners silently keep our homes spotless. You don't even have to walk your dog any longer - there is always someone who will do it for a fee.

Natural exercise—like walking to the market, seeing to the garden or washing the car—has been replaced by gym memberships. Tasks that once kept us moving are now outsourced.

Convenience is undeniable, but so is the cost to our health and independence. High blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, heart diseases and even mental health issues were hardly heard of.

It makes me wonder: what will life be like 20 years from now?

Holograms for meetings, drones for deliveries, AI to think for us, will we lose the joy of doing things ourselves?

Perhaps it’s time to step back, reflect, and find balance before the art of living actively fades entirely.