We've all been there. Whether it's a project, an essay, homework, studying or some other important task, procrastination always seems to have a way of creeping up on us. But even though we've all been through it, we never learn our lesson and go through the same cycle over and over again. And it tends to go a little like this.
1. The Calm Before the Storm
The second best stage of procrastinating. It's the second best because it's one of the two stages when you're not freaking out. In fact, now is when you're convinced that you have everything under control and know exactly what you're doing. That thing you need to do? "Psh, I've got plenty of time to do that! I'll start tomorrow," you say. But you don't start tomorrow. You never do.
2. Denial
Although you're also in denial in the first stage, now is when you're actively in denial. Instead of being completely calm, you now feel the creeping sense that maybe it's time to get started on that thing you've been putting off. That nagging feeling that maybe doing something productive would be better than watching YouTube videos can only be shaken off with one thing: denial. "I still have plenty of time," you think. "Just one more video."
3. Coming Back to Reality
Also known as the panic stage. You've finally broken out of denial and into the realization that all of that time you thought you had, wasn't so much time after all. At least not when you spend it doing literally anything else. But that's not the point. The point is that now is when you freak out and dive right into doing whatever it is that you've put off. All of that "planning" you did in the first stage? Completely forgotten about because you have no time for that now.
4. Regret
"Ugh, why did I do this to myself?" you wonder as you down another caffeinated drink and regret your life decisions. It occurs to you that maybe doing a little bit every day in order to get that thing done in time would have been less stressful than waiting until the last second. You're right of course, but there's no time for regret right now. You still have a lot of work to do.
5. Relief
The best stage of procrastination. After all of that work you did in such a short amount of time, it feels pretty great to have actually accomplished it. You weren't sure a few times if it was possible, but look at you, you did it! Relieved that everything worked out, you reward yourself with a well deserved break. Which leads to the last stage...
6. Repeat
You tell yourself that you will never procrastinate again. You swear that you've finally learned your lesson and are now a mature adult who is capable of planning their life in a way that allows them to get things done in a timely and non-stressful manner.
Lies. They're all lies. You'd like to think they're not, but they are. So off you go, back into denial thinking you won't fall back into the cycle of procrastination. But then one day instead of doing what you're supposed to, you'll find yourself doing something silly like reading an article on the stages of procrastination or even worse, writing one. It's okay though, I understand. You'll get through it. We all will.
