Procrastination

I hear the clock ticking. I feel the air conditioning of the classroom. I overhear other students talking in the halls. I catch a glimpse of the time. Only ten minutes left. The pressure is on. What is stopping me from finishing my work? I need to complete an assignment that’s already a day overdue. I have the class in five minutes now. The time is flying by quickly. I start to sweat. Class is beginning now and I’m not done. Why didn’t I do this work earlier when I had more time?

Procrastination has always been a problem of mine. Whether it’s work for school or chores at home, I keep procrastinating. I want there to be a simple solution to this. But it seems there is not. Studies have shown that procrastination is an effect of anxiety, fear, feeling overwhelmed, and ADHD. I admit that I have a bit of anxiety here and there and I definitely feel overwhelmed many times, but that is not enough of an excuse to tell a teacher I failed to complete my homework.

Another example is chores. From spring to fall, I mow the lawn every one or two weeks. Sometimes, I sit in my living room, cozying up on my couch. It is nice and quiet and I am playing a game on my phone. This is my thought process. I’ve been playing video games for 30 minutes, but I still have time to mow the lawn later. I can squeeze it in and do it fast. I’m fine for now. Besides, mowing the lawn will be annoying because I’ll be sweaty and there’ll be bugs. What’s the point of life if you’re not having fun? I’m having fun now. I’ll stay here. When it comes time where if I don’t mow the lawn right then and there, I say that I’ll do it the next day. Repeat this process and that is what it feels like. I simply lack the motivation to do the task.

I feel that no matter what I do I always lack motivation. It is annoying because no matter what I try to do I can never get into a consistent pattern of finishing my work. There will always be an itch in my head saying that the work is not important right now, that I can do it later, or it will not matter in the long run whether I do it or not. But then those reasons make everything feel too complicated. My brain is swimming in stress and fear so I stop thinking about it. I go back to something that makes me feel better. Eating, watching a show, or going to sleep. Even though that does not affect my problems. I’ve tried making systems to fix my problems with procrastination. Working at a specific time, meeting with a teacher, and focusing more in class. I always end up loopholing my systems. Then I don’t have to do my work. Then I feel a little better for a while.