Dear Procrastination,
I see you. Lurking in the corners of my to-do list, whispering, “Just five more minutes,” or, “Let’s start fresh tomorrow.” You’re persistent. Crafty. Even charming sometimes.
But here’s the thing: I know you too well now.
And it’s time we had a proper talk.
Get On With It – A Letter to My Procrastination.
Why You Show Up
I understand you. I really do. You’re not laziness. You’re protection.
Research shows that procrastination is less about time management and more about emotion regulation (Sirois & Pychyl, 2013). When I avoid a task, it’s usually because it feels overwhelming, uncertain, or tied to self-worth. You try to keep me comfortable. Safe.
You show up when something matters, because deep down I’m scared I won’t do it perfectly.
You whisper, “Don’t start yet, you’re not ready.” But the truth is—I’ll never feel ready.
And strangely, sometimes you even help.
Creative people often have what’s called “active procrastination”—a delay that allows ideas to simmer and form in unexpected ways (Chu & Choi, 2005). So thank you, for those moments where waiting turned into something beautiful. Life has certainly taught me to take my time on ideas. Absolutely you can rattle something out, but really, if you sit on it and think more, take your time, you will come out with something much better.
But mostly… you just stall me. You steal time I can’t get back.
The Truth
Here’s what I’ve realised:
Procrastination is a short-term fix that creates long-term stress.
It promises relief, but delivers guilt.
And when I listen to you too much, I stop trusting myself.
So, dear Procrastination, it’s not that I hate you. But we need some boundaries.
I’ve got things to do. A life to live. Dreams to build.
Here’s What I’m Doing Differently
I’m not waiting for the “perfect” mood or moment.
I’m moving forward—bit by bit.
Here are five things I’ll be using from now on:
1. The 5-Minute Rule: If a task feels big, I’ll start it for just five minutes. That’s it. Often, getting started is the hardest part—and once I’m in, I keep going.
2. Break the Task into Tiny Pieces: Instead of “write the article,” I’ll write the title. Then the first line. Then the next. Momentum builds from small wins.
3. Use a Timer (Pomodoro Method): 25 minutes of focus, then a 5-minute break. This trick trains my brain to work in manageable bursts—no pressure, just presence.
4. Lower the Stakes: I don’t have to be brilliant. I just have to begin. Done is better than perfect—and nothing can improve until it exists.
5. Visualise Future Me: I’ll think of how good it will feel to have finished. I’ll borrow motivation from the pride and peace that’s waiting on the other side.
So listen, dear Procrastination—
I’ll probably see you again. You’re human. I’m human. But next time, I’ll smile at you… and keep going anyway.
Sincerely,
Me (finally getting on with it).
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