Over the years, I have discovered that no matter how hard I try, I will leave everything to be done last minute. Whether it be a small assignment, paying my bills, a 10 page paper, or a 35 page marketing project, it will not be started and finished until the day before or the day of. Because of this, there are some things that every procrastinator will experience:
1. Intense FOMO
FOMO, or fear of missing out, is probably the most relevant occurrence in any procrastinators life. FOMO is the reason we procrastinate, and FOMO is a consequence of our procrastination. Over the past three years of college, I have skipped out on doing homework because of fun things going on. But then when everything catches up to you, you end up missing more of those events.
2. The Buildup
As finals slowly (who are we kidding, they are charging full on ahead toward us) approaches, there are many different projects and presentations that are due. Unlike my peers who have been working on them slowly throughout the semester, I have two power-points, two papers, and a presentation due on Monday. Have I started any of them, no. Will I start any of them today? No. Will I work on every single one of them Sunday night and Monday? Yes. The buildup is inevitable, and definitely part of the procrastinator lifestyle.
3. Trying to change
"I am going to start this right now instead of last minute," or "If I make a to do list, it will get done!" are some of the common phrases a procrastinator will tell themselves. Trying to change your habits is one of the hardest things you can ever possibly do. No matter how many times I have said to myself that I am going to change, I always find myself doing everything the day it is due. It is part of a procrastinator's nature and usually isn't something that can be changed.
4. Lack of Sleep/ Abnormal Sleeping Patterns
Naps at 2 p.m., three hours of sleep after two days. This is the life of a procrastinator. There is no time for sleep, and if we do sleep, it's by accident in the middle of the day. I have missed out on so many things because I have accidentally fallen asleep at 1 p.m. Sleep is for the weak, but oh how we wish we could have it.
5. Not knowing what a home cooked meal is
Food trucks, Wawa, McDonalds, and pizza places make up a majority of our eating habits. Although good, these places aren't always ideal when it comes to meals. With the very little time we have because of procrastination, there is not a chance to cook anything for the day. These places are fast and help fit into our last minute schedules.
Procrastination may be a bad habit. However, with time and slow changes, it can be something that can be improved. But hey, once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator. I mean, this article is due today, and I wrote it right now.
Stay True.
