As a writer, I have only two weaknesses. Procrastination and new spiral notebooks. Procrastination is the stronger opponent of the two. We fight almost everyday and sometimes, I barely make it out alive.

It starts out the same every time...

I wake up around 11 a.m. After the sweet stupor of an uneven night's rest finally wears off, it hits me. I've overslept my alarm...by an hour. I have class in thirty minutes and all I can think about is a quick shower, a toasted bagel and not showing up late.

Then half way to class, with backpack and bagel in tow, everything comes crashing down.

My article.

I haven't started. I suddenly decide I hate my previous idea. The realization begins to roll over me like waves crashing onto the shore. Barely giving me anytime to get up and recover before knocking me down again.

Procrastination stares me in the face once more and it goes a little something like this...

Step 1: Panic

I can barely even concentrate through quiz section. My TA smiles and chats thoughtfully about midterms and upcoming assignments and it takes every nerve in my body not to burst into tears and simultaneous hyperventilating. I could have finished this days ago, but no. I had to go shopping with my friends. I will never finish this in time. I have too much to do today!

*Continues to hyperventilate*

Step 2: Bargaining

It's OK, I tell myself. If I get out of quiz section early I can run to the library and hash out a draft. Then if I finish that by three I can buy myself a smoothie. Then I will revise and edit. Then I will buy another smoothie.

Step 3: Overconfidence

I SO got this. At this point I can't even remember why I was so worried.

Step 4: Despair

I will never be a writer. As I stare at the jumble of words that is supposed to make a coherent draft, I slowly see my dreams of pursing a career in writing slowly fade away into the distance. Taking all of my hopes and goals with it.

Step 5: A sliver of hope

There it is. It's just a sentence. But it's a good one. It flows beautifully and somehow captures exactly what I am trying to say in ten simple words. Maybe there is a chance I can save myself.

Step 6: See Step 1

*Incoherent jumble of words*

*Soft crying*

*Doesn't care as people stare*

Step 7: Coffee Break

"Hi, yeah, could I get a venti quad-shot chai tea latte with actual writing ability drizzled on top? Hold the whip."

Step 8: Acceptance

It's okay. I don't need to be a writer. Dreams are overrated anyways. It's okay. Really. I don't care. I'm fine. Yeah. It's okay.

Really. I'm fine.

Step 9: The Great Rally

NO. I refuse to go down this way! So I drag my sorry self up from beneath the empty Starbucks cups and crumpled up pieces of paper and I grab my laptop with a purpose. I refuse to move until I get this finished. I will write this article. I will edit with a careful eye. I will emerge victorious!

Step 10: Submission

Submit?

I look over my draft one more time and shake my head, "I am never doing this to myself again."

1 Week Later...

See Step 1.