The Truth About Procrastination
There is something inherently beautiful about how a caterpillar gradually transforms into a butterfly, unleashing its true potential. However, is it the process in itself that’s beautiful or is it the magnitude of struggle involved that accentuates its magnificence? It is known to a few that not every caterpillar can transform itself into a butterfly. More often than not, they remain but mere moths.
This analogy, when applied to humans, involves layers far beyond our understanding. The metamorphosis of a child into an independent human capable of everything and more is a rather rugged process. But I believe, it is the power of problems that truly makes the difference. Almost every budding mind has to navigate through changes and challenges numerous to emerge victorious in the walk of life. Throughout the formative years, there is a nagging pressure to figure out who you are and to establish an independent identity. There are some very clearly articulated and some unspoken time slabs allotted to every stage of life and this immense pressure to have it all figured out manifests as a comparison, be it a comparison of your accomplishments or even your appearance. In the age of teen prodigies, Crypto billionaires and stark competition, young adults are enveloped by a sense of inadequacy & everyone is striving to do things fast and to do them right to make up for the sense of void, tugging at their minds.
Our brain embodies multitudes of complexities and intricacies, making it the most fascinating organ to have ever existed. The emotional center of our brains, the Amygdala, activates a fight or flight response every time we are encountered by a stressor. Owing to our currently shaped mechanisms, challenges and changes are time and again interpreted as hindrances and our reptilian brain finds it easier to push the task onto the pile of things we must do later on and exercise delay, rather than dealing with the discomfort of getting it done right away. This gives rise to one of the most prevalent issues faced by young adults today – Procrastination. More often than not, the smallest shift in mindset or even the most miniscule effort in the right direction can create astonishing results. In my opinion, self-awareness is the stepping stone to long lasting changes.
Sit down with your thoughts, introspect and reflect back to what it is that is stopping you from making the change that you deserve. If it is the constant loop of ideas that’s leaving you fogged up or the lack of urgency of the task, regardless of the form of impediment, recognition of the root, lays the foundation to change. If the magnitude of the task is holding you back, go ahead, break it down into small biteable chunks to aid the digestion of the change that nourishes your soul.
It is imperative that we tweak the way we perceive challenges from a very young age, redefining our outlook toward life and its numerous obstacles. The conscious decision to embrace the distress and walk hand in hand with it is the shift in mindset that makes some people a cut above the rest. It truly is the power of problems and our ability to deal with them or the lack thereof that makes the difference and propels us toward being the imperial butterflies that we were meant to be all along.
Summary –
Procrastination is one of the most common hindrances in all our lives that’s stopping us from achieving what we set out to. More often than not, the cause of procrastination roots out of something well known but often denied. So, set out, introspect your limitations because only if you know what’s holding you back can you actively work to create the life of your dreams.
Co-creator : Meherzeen Siganporia