Procrastination

Solidarity

What tasks do you often find yourself procrastinating on?

Procrastination is a near-universal human experience, often leaving us feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or guilty. It's that internal battle between knowing what we 'should' be doing and the seemingly insurmountable urge to do something else – or nothing at all. Understanding why we put things off, especially tasks that could benefit us, is crucial because it affects our productivity, well-being, and even basic self-care.

Recognizing the shared nature of this struggle can be validating. That's why we asked our community, "What tasks do you often find yourself procrastinating on?" The goal wasn't just to list chores, but to foster solidarity and shed light on the common patterns behind why we delay action, even when we genuinely want the outcome.

The responses revealed powerful themes. Many people shared struggles not just with typical culprits like chores or work deadlines, but also with fundamental self-care activities like eating, sleeping, or showering. Other common areas included tasks perceived as overwhelming, obligatory duties, and pursuing personal goals, highlighting the complex relationship between procrastination, mood, and motivation.

Common Procrastination Experiences Shared by Our Community

Putting off essential self-care tasks like eating, showering, sleeping, and exercise.
Avoiding household chores such as cleaning, laundry (especially folding), and washing dishes.
Delaying work or school assignments, particularly those with deadlines or requiring focused effort.
Struggling to start tasks that feel overwhelming, involve multiple steps, or require making decisions.
Finding it hard to follow through on personal goals or activities meant to improve well-being.

Our community discussed

Why Do I Procrastinate on Basic Self-Care Like Showering or Eating?

It might seem counterintuitive, but many people find themselves delaying fundamental acts of self-care. This type of procrastination often intertwines with mood, energy levels, and feeling overwhelmed, making even simple necessities feel like major hurdles.

Janelle

7 months ago

Anything that would improve my mood or make me feel better in anyway……

288

Lydia

8 months ago

Exercising, showering; even just eating a meal or getting out/going to bed…

315

Tiffani

7 months ago

Cleaning and keeping a routine and eating and drinking water

241

Alister

6 months ago

Laundry, showering, and eating. Sometimes it’s just easier to be hungry rather than making yourself a box of mac and cheese.

193

Our community discussed

Putting Off Chores: Why is Cleaning and Laundry So Hard to Start?

Household obligations are a frequent target for procrastination. Tasks like cleaning, tidying, dishes, and laundry can feel monotonous, never-ending, or simply exhausting, especially after a long day or week of work.

Tiffani

7 months ago

Cleaning and keeping a routine and eating and drinking water

187

kerrington

5 months ago

Laundry! Especially folding clothes and putting them up.

255

Lizzy

7 months ago

Dishes, dishes, dishes. Oh, and dishes.

302

Sandra

5 months ago

Cleaning my home I feel so bad because as soon as I get started I just feel so exhausted and instead I just do nothing

211

Our community discussed

How Does Procrastination Affect Work, School, and Personal Goals?

Procrastination significantly impacts tasks with deadlines, responsibilities, and aspirations. Whether it's work projects, studying, responding to communications, or pursuing personal interests like learning a language, the inability to start or follow through can be a major source of stress.

huda

5 months ago

Daily tasks and tasks with a deadline. I also have trouble with reaching my goals (like learning a language) even though I really want to complete my goals.

276

Unknown

5 months ago

Any unfinished tasks I have at work, and self-care.

164

Anton

6 months ago

Starting a new studying timeblock.

135

Abby

7 months ago

Responding to people, and pretty much any important task with a deadline :(

299

Our community discussed

Feeling Overwhelmed: Procrastinating on Multi-Step Tasks and Appointments

Tasks that seem complex, involve multiple steps, require phone calls, decision-making, or feel like obligations often trigger procrastination. The mental effort needed to plan or initiate these actions can lead to avoidance, even for important things like doctor appointments.

Breanne

8 months ago

Big things , doctor appointments, things with multiple steps , or phone calls 😣

322

Unknown

7 months ago

I procrastinate at the thought of going anywhere because I have to figure out if I’m going to empty my whole purse contents onto the floor to rearrange by necessity or change my outfit into something I’ll be comfortable in the car, walking or sitting in public in, all 5 mins before I have to be somewhere.

268

Aliya

5 months ago

Tasks that I don’t feel like I know how to do perfectly

205

Sara

7 months ago

Any task I feel “obligated” to do. This includes cooking, showering, cleaning, work, and even showing up to plans made with friends or appointments.

291

Advice from our community

How to Cope with Procrastination Based on Real Experiences

Acknowledge the Shared Struggle: Recognize that procrastinating, even on basic needs or things you want to do, is common. Knowing you're not alone can reduce feelings of guilt or paralysis, as shared by Tiffani ("Same it’s like I freeze and become paralysed").
Break Down Overwhelming Tasks: If tasks feel too big or have multiple steps (like Breanne mentioned), divide them into the smallest possible actions. Focus only on the very first step, like just opening the textbook or putting one dish in the sink.
Lower the Activation Energy: Make starting easier. If getting ready to go out feels overwhelming (like Unknown described), prepare your outfit or bag the night before. If starting studying is hard (like Anton mentioned), just commit to opening your notes for 5 minutes.
Practice Self-Compassion: Understand that procrastination isn't simply laziness, especially when linked to mood (Janelle), exhaustion (Sandra), or feeling obligated (Sara). Treat yourself with kindness rather than harsh judgment when you struggle to follow through.