Procrastination and the Struggle of Overwhelm: Why We Avoid What Truly Fulfils Us

Can you imagine for a minute, if you didn't procrastinate, what you would be doing in your life?

What would you do differently?

We've all been there, staring at a to-do list that seems to grow longer by the minute, feeling like there's no way to tackle it all. Then, overwhelm takes over, and Procrastination follows closely behind. But the surprising thing is, it's not just the mundane tasks we put off. We often procrastinate on the things that could bring us joy and fulfilment.

Why do we delay doing the things that could make us happier, more fulfilled, or even more successful? Well our deeper emotions, like fear, have a lot to do with it.

The Vicious Cycle of Overwhelm

When we're overwhelmed, we go into overdrive. Instead of diving in and taking action, we freeze and put things off. The thought of starting something feels too much, as does the to-do list, so we distract ourselves with more manageable tasks such as social media, or when we are extremely overwhelmed, we simply do nothing.

But here's the twist: it's not always the hard, tedious tasks we avoid. Sometimes, it's the things that could bring us real joy or personal growth—like finally signing up for that art class, finishing a passion project, or even taking a leap toward a career change.

So, why do we push these things aside, even when we know they could make us happier?

The Fear Behind the Fulfilment

At first glance, it might seem like Procrastination is just about avoiding the doing. But often, it's deeper than that. The tasks that have the potential to fulfil us—those we feel passionate about—can also trigger our greatest fears and doubts.

Fears such as:

Fear of failure: What if you pour your heart into something and it doesn't turn out the way you hoped?

Fear of judgment: What will people think if you take a risk or try something new?

Fear of success: Sometimes, even the idea of succeeding can feel overwhelming because it leads to change, responsibility, and uncertainty.

These fears create resistance, so we delay starting even the most exciting projects. The more meaningful the task, the more emotional it can be – the excitement of starting something and the fear of change go hand in hand, and these emotions can lead to avoidance.

Fear is the most common emotion to stop us from taking action, but other emotions can also come into play, such as anxiety, not feeling good enough and self-doubt.

How Overwhelm Feeds the Fear

Overwhelm isn't just about having too many tasks. It's often a mix of mental and emotional overload. You can only think about surviving when you're stressed and stretched thin. You get caught up in the routine, tackling the urgent instead of the important, and the things that bring deeper fulfilment get pushed further down the list.

When you add fear to the equation, Procrastination becomes the response. You tell yourself, "I'll get to it when things calm down," but they rarely do. Or you say to yourself, "I just don't have time right now, " or "My family needs me more, " which are other forms of avoidance.

Breaking the Cycle: Moving Toward Fulfilment

So, how do we stop this cycle of being overwhelmed and Procrastinating and start prioritising what truly matters?

1. Notice the avoidance

It's important to understand why you're avoiding certain tasks. Is it really because they're too difficult or time-consuming? Or is fear hiding beneath the surface? When you avoid, notice your emotions, notice the emotions that come up when you think about starting something new, challenging or just everyday tasks.

2. Address the Fear and other emotions

If fear gets in the way, acknowledge it and know it's normal. But it doesn't have to control your actions. Remind yourself that even small steps forward are steps in the right direction. You don't have to be perfect or have all the answers to begin something.

3. Break It Down

Overwhelm often comes from seeing a task as too big. Break it into smaller, manageable steps. For example, if you've been procrastinating on starting a creative project, don't pressure yourself to finish it all at once. Start with 15 minutes of brainstorming or gathering materials. Focus on taking one step at a time and let go of perfection.

4. Create Space for What Fulfils You

When your day is filled with the doing of everyday life, it's easy to ignore the things that truly matter. When planning your week, create space in your schedule for the things that bring you joy. Set aside a specific time each week to work on a passion project, start a new hobby, or invest in self-care. Remember, nothing will change unless you change something!

5. Learn to Say No

Part of overcoming overwhelm is learning to say no to things that drain your time and energy. If we keep saying yes to things like helping at children's school or taking on more projects at work that you know you don't have the time for or even want to do, there is no space for you. Prioritise the tasks that light you up, and don't be afraid to delegate or say no to those that don't.

Moving Forward

Procrastination is more than just laziness or poor time management. It's often a sign of something deeper—overwhelm, fear, or feeling less about self. But the good news is, by recognising these underlying causes, we can start to take control. We can begin to move past the fear and overwhelm and make room for the things that truly fulfil us.

If Procrastination is holding you back, know that you're not alone. Take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to seek help if you need it. Life is too short to keep putting off the things that bring sunshine into your life.

Remember, it's not about doing everything at once but starting with a tiny step toward what truly matters.

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Find out about my Mastering Procrastination course here.