Hi everyone, in my last blog post, I focused mainly on what procrastination really is and the scientific reasons behind it. Today, I will be talking more about the emotional and psychological reasoning behind it.
There are many reasons why someone might be procrastinating getting things done, for example, a lot of people who struggle with mental health problems, often also struggle with procrastination. Procrastination can often be a result of depression as feelings hopeless, helpless, and having a lack of energy can make it difficult to start the simplest task. Depression can also lead to self doubt. When you can’t figure out how to tackle a project or feel insecure about your abilities, you might find it easier to put it off(1).
Although procrastination is not considered a mental health condition in and of itself, it is connected to mental health challenges. According to the American Psychological Association, procrastination can also play a role in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and several other conditions(2). Psychologists have identified various drives of procrastination, from low self confidence to anxiety, a lack of structure, and, simply, an inability to motivate oneself to complete unpleasant tasks. Research has also shown that procrastination is closely linked to rumination, or becoming fixated on negative thoughts(3).
In modern contexts, procrastination has been defined as a chronic issue that affects individuals in various aspects of their lives. Chronic procrastination refers to the consistent delay of tasks, often leading to negative consequences and a sense of frustration. This type of procrastination is beyond the occasional delay of tasks and becomes a habitual pattern of behavior.(4)
Knowing all of this, it is important to remember people procrastinate for different reasons. One person might procrastinate due to anxiety, while someone else might procrastinate due to a combination of perfectionism and abstract goals. Furthermore, a person can procrastinate for different reasons at different times and under different circumstances(5).
1:https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-procrastination-2795944
2:https://deconstructingstigma.org/guides/procrastination
3:https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/procrastination
4:https://resiliencyclinic.com/the-psychology-behind-procrastination/
5:https://solvingprocrastination.com/why-people-procrastinate/
Hi Yula, I really like your post! Its very visual and easy to follow. Something I am wondering is, does the weather affect procrastination? I think adding research about this topic would help to build connections about how the environment can impact procrastination. I also found this website to help with research if you do choose to add this topic into your posts! I’m looking forward to reading the next one.💕 https://fastercapital.com/content/Procrastination-Solutions–Environmental-Changes–Change-Your-Environment–Change-Your-Procrastination-Habits.html
Hi Yula, I love your blog post! Procrastination is something many teens struggle with, and doing a blog post about it is a great way to spread information on why this happens. For your next blog post, I would love to read about how high school specifically and its culture affect procrastination. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shattering-social-barriers/202504/a-surprising-reason-why-students-procrastinate?msockid=3830370231336218336c2104308763a0
Good luck!!!
Sarang