You might be thinking, “It’s only week three, and she’s already talking about procrastination.” Sounds like a good start. In my first post, I mentioned that I’m quite a procrastinator unless I’m pressured to do something. I have periods where I’ll work non-stop, even skipping meals because I’m in such a nice flow that I can’t stop. On the other hand, I also have periods where I can’t get myself to do anything — like, anything at all. Unfortunately, those periods occur much more often.
Working on my own hasn’t made things any easier. I have no one to tell me that I need to do something by the end of the week, no one to give me deadlines. I set my own objectives, and it’s quite easy to just say, “I’ll do this tomorrow.”
I’ve been fighting procrastination for a long time, and what I’ve discovered in my quest to overcome it is a passion for productivity tools and self-development. I love productivity tips, apps, methods to achieve more things, to be a boss lady, do more in less time, and be the best version of myself. I’ve tried them all, and they usually work wonders… for the first few weeks. Then I miss a day, then another, and another, and before I realize it, I’m doom-scrolling on Instagram, having achieved nothing.
When I had tasks given by someone else, I felt the pressure to complete them on time. But today, the only deadline I have is a year from now, which feels very far away. And unlike my homework in high school, I won’t be able to reach my goal overnight.
I started this journey thinking I’d become the most organized, hardworking, and dedicated version of myself. But I feel like I’ve reached a point where I’m taking it a bit too easy on myself. Feeling a bit tired today? Let’s do this tomorrow.
So, can you overcome procrastination? After reading studies and tips on how to do so, I’ve learned that I need to understand what makes me procrastinate. Usually, I realize it’s because some tasks require too much effort or force me to confront situations I’d rather avoid. I’m not in the right state to do them now, so I’ll do them later.
The honest answer is that I don’t think you can. I’ve realized that procrastination isn’t something you conquer once and for all. It’s an ongoing battle that requires patience, self-awareness, and a lot of self-compassion. There will be days when you’re unstoppable, riding the wave of productivity, and there will be days when you feel stuck, unable to move forward. And that’s okay.
The key isn’t to beat yourself up on the tough days but to understand why you’re feeling stuck and what you can do to gently nudge yourself back on track. Maybe it’s breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces, or maybe it’s just acknowledging that some days, rest is necessary. The most important thing is not to lose sight of your passion and the reason you started this journey in the first place.
Procrastination might slow you down, but it doesn’t have to stop you. Keep moving forward, even if it’s at a slower pace than you imagined. After all, photography is about capturing moments — sometimes, it’s the unexpected ones that end up being the most beautiful.
Until next week,
Marie