Why do I procrastinate?
I always have. Like literally for as long as I can remember I have procrastinated with almost all of my responsibilities. For example this article, and every article that I have written before this one. Now I KNOW that these articles are due every Friday at 11:59 pm, and I KNOW that I am always busy on Fridays basically until 10:30-ish. So, obviously instead of doing the better thing, and writing the article earlier in the week, instead I sit on my couch at like 10:30-ish, smelling strongly of pizza and still in work attire (yes, I work in a pizza shop), and write my article. On top of that, every essay, every research paper, every lab report that I write, there is a 99% chance that even though I had the assignment for weeks, I started and finished it the night/ morning right before it was due. And yes, by morning I do mean that I set my alarm for about two hours earlier than normal to give myself time to finish the work.
It's not just school work that I procrastinate either. Last year, packing for college for the first time was not even started until the day before I had to move in. Getting ready for work doesn't happen until 20 minutes before I have to be there. Leaving my room for an 8 am class in the morning, that happens at 8:01 on a good day.
Why do I wait until the last minute to do anything? I honestly have no idea. Maybe it's the fact that the last minute rush helps me produce my work quickly and with fewer distractions. Maybe I enjoy the thrill of submitting something exactly a minute before it is due. Maybe I really am that lazy that I can't motivate myself to get something done until the VERY last moment.
People tell me all the time, "just manage your time better," "make a schedule," "plan to start things, and the classic " why don't you just stop procrastinating?" Whenever I hear that last one, I always want to just scream "IT'S NOT THAT EASY!!" but I don't. I hold my tongue and don't say anything because maybe it is that easy for some people. Maybe the weirdos of the world that don't procrastinate just don't understand the struggle that is waking up every day and struggling to complete responsibilities until the last moment.
Well, I still don't know why I procrastinate, but I do know that I'm not alone. Most of the people that I know procrastinate in one way or another. So, knowing that I am not alone gives me comfort when I am sitting, struggling to complete an absurd amount of work right before it is due. And it gives me hope that there is a solution out there for everyone, and if I ever find one that works for me I can share it with everyone else that struggles from procrastination.
Also, for anyone who is wondering, I finished this at 11:15 pm on Friday. It's due in 44 minutes.
