The Psychology of Procrastination: Understanding Why You Put Things Off

Have you ever found yourself putting things off, even though you know they need to get done? You’re not alone! Procrastination is a common struggle for many people, and it can be a tough habit to break. But the good news is, by understanding the psychology behind why we procrastinate, we can learn how to overcome it and get things done.

The Roots of Procrastination

For me, procrastination started as a lack of motivation. I would get an idea and then lose steam as I went from planning to execution. But even when I did get started on a project, I always found the execution part to be more enjoyable than the planning and preparation stages.

This led me to start a YouTube channel, where I could share my ideas through video. I thought it would be a more engaging and efficient way to publish content. But the process of learning to shoot and edit professionally was much more time-consuming than I anticipated. This led me to start a separate YouTube channel where I could focus solely on learning to shoot and edit. Although my first attempts weren’t great, I learned a lot and was able to see how much I was already ahead of many other YouTube channels in terms of video and editing quality.

Making Matters Worse

The second wave of COVID-19 hit India and brought my progress to a halt. I got infected and wasn’t able to edit the video I shot in April 2021. Our upcoming guests also started to have second thoughts about shooting in the middle of the pandemic, so I took a much-needed break.

But that break only made things worse. I think it was either a side effect of COVID or my habit of procrastination evolving, but I wasn’t re-energized. Instead, my habit of delaying and postponing things became more consistent.

Realizing the Problem

I then realized that my procrastination had taken over other areas of my life as well. For example, I started a blog with the intention of using it as a journal, but over time it turned into a lifestyle and news website, and eventually, an abandoned page. I felt guilty and ashamed that I had let my busy life get in the way of something I loved doing, like writing.

Finding a Solution

After much contemplation and self-reflection, I finally understood the root of my procrastination problem. I realized that my procrastination was like a “friend with benefits.” It was okay to have it around when I needed a break, but I was relying on it even when I should be focusing on more important things. This was turning into a guilty pleasure, and I knew it was time to end it before our relationship became toxic.

The lesson is: it’s time to say goodbye to this “fun friend.” The guilt of being complacent was making me miserable, and it was time to focus on the things that matter. So, my dear procrastination, it’s time for us to take a break from each other. Let’s make sure our beautiful relationship doesn’t turn toxic and ruin one of us. And we both know it would be me!