Give Me a Minute

Who identifies? There’s a deeper meaning to this humorous cartoon. The patient knows he needs to stop, get up and leave but the procrastination is real. Knowing that we must do something but procrastinating can be for multiple reasons.

Fear is the biggest factor in procrastination. Fearing the outcome of an unknown situation will keep us procrastinating sometimes for years. Sometimes that fear that keeps us procrastinating is called Avoidance Trauma Response. Staying busy on social media, binge drinking, gambling, and shopping nonstop are all behaviors associated with ATR or as most commonly see it, procrastination.

Maybe this patient on the sofa doesn’t want to get up and leave due to facing a reality at home. People who choose to work long hours to avoid going home due to fear of the unknown or fear of punishment are forms of ATR. They are not taking action for fear of punishment which we see as procrastinating.

I’m not suggesting you overthink or overanalyze yourself or your partner every time you procrastinate but I am saying recognize if there’s a deeper meaning. Know why you just need more time, know why you are avoiding doing it. If it’s fear-related then as my shrink would suggest, “snuggle with your demons” and recognize them. You know the saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer”, same goes with the emotions you’re trying to avoid. Fear is the enemy that keeps us avoiding and avoiding looks like procrastination.

Procrastination or avoiding our trauma through activities keeps us from healing and becoming a better version of ourselves. Trauma will hang around as long as you will let it. It will always need another minute. Know when it’s time to get up, move on and start healing.