The Art of Procrastination

This is the story of my daily procrastination.

I wake up at the sound of my alarm. I look at my phone and it is 8 AM. Time to get up and get things done – aka write. Getting ready to start my day is never a problem for me. Once I open my eyes, that is it- I am up. However, getting things done.. now, is a different matter altogether.

My mornings mostly all look the same, because, for me to be productive, I need to have a routine. Still, that does not guarantee immediate results. I may be able to write five articles in five hours or twelve hours. Who knows? But as long as I have my routine, I can get going.

Nevertheless, procrastination takes up my whole day. By this time I like to believe that it is something that I have mastered. Sort of an artistic way of procrastinating. I consider my procrastination as a form of art.

The Art of Procrastination

Art is generally described as an expression of self an extension of human emotions in forms or activities that one may be able to communicate to other people. It reflects a creative purpose that has significance to life.

But, how do I consider procrastination as an art, you may ask? I think that as an activity, procrastination is a manifestation of a person’s lack of will to finish a specific task by doing other things.

By procrastinating, you are essentially avoiding a certain activity and as result allows you to perform others. I think the art comes from the sheer avoidance of responsibility that turns into motivation.

For example, I need to start writing an article, and yet I look at the clock and tell myself “I cannot do it right now, maybe I need to stretch first.” And, so, I take my ass off from my chair, take my dog for a walk and then feed him.

After a while, I am back on my chair, staring at the empty screen of my laptop, and notice the little bits of plastic on the floor. I take the broom and start sweeping. Then I take a rug and wipe the floor clean. I also put the trash outside.

And I am once again back on the chair. But I see that it is already lunch. Oh, well. I finish eating lunch and ask my mom if she needs anything in the store; I want to get some coffee anyways, might as well do some errands for her.

I get ready to leave, putting my laptop on sleep as if it has not been resting for the past few hours. Finally bought my coffee and some groceries, and it is already 3 PM.

How does time fly so fast? Just messing with you. I knew the consequences of putting my initial task on pause. Instead, I did a lot of other, more insignificant things to fill the gap that I create by procrastinating. And that, friends, is the art of procrastination.

Making sure procrastination is effective

Procrastinating does not have to look like staring in space with your mouth wide open. Or scrolling nonstop on your phone until it is time to cram. You can be productive without fulfilling what you need to be productive about. The art comes from the effectiveness of your procrastination. They say you better do it now rather than later. I say you can definitely do it later, but do something else now. Go ahead and procrastinate, but you have to do a good job at it.

However, not everybody will find the art in procrastination. Just like a fellow writer from Village Pipol Magazine who shares the regret they feel whenever they procrastinate or cram.