TRUTH OF PROCRASTINATION

RITA MAE Brown once said, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.” And it’s true.

If I were to describe procrastination, I’d describe it as an evergrowing entity, constantly absorbing motivation and passion out of the souls of all beings, engulfing us all into the void of empty-mindedness, leaving us plunging in the sea of failure.

Although to us, it doesn’t seem that destructive when we procrastinate.

Procrastination comes in many forms. What you do may not be easily identified as procrastination, but even something as simple as getting a glass of milk, or making some fancy herbal tea because you “need to relax your mind from all the work you’ve done,” is putting off what you are supposed to be doing.

You may be sitting at your desk at midnight, writing the introduction for that really important essay or report DUE In seven Hours. THE same one assigned three weeks ago. But you didn’t start immediately because, Eh, I have three weeks. I’ll do it at some point. You put it off so long you really need to do it now. But wait! You need to clean your desk. You just can’t work in a messy environment. Also, you should pack your bag in case you run late. You sit back down. But maybe you should get some snacks before you start so you’re not interrupted in the middle of writing.

Even though the abundance of short tasks that somehow extraordinarily appeared on your to-do list seems like top priority, sewing the old pyjamas you haven’t worn in at least two years is really just an excuse to avoid your responsibilities.

“You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again,” said Benjamin Franklin.

We don’t see that, though. We don’t see time constantly dripping from our ingers, ESCAPING through THE smallest gaps. We cannot simply trap time. And while we aren’t always in control of our procrastination - because, after all, we are human - we need to be mindful of it, and acknowledge it. Because procrastination can take over us oh so easily.

And if you’re reading this right now, chances are you are procrastinating.