Why Do We Procrastinate?

We all do it. There are things we have to do—things we need to do—but we just don’t want to do them. So we don’t. Instead, we find something—anything—else to focus on. We ignore the responsibility for a little while and promise ourselves we’ll get to it later.

Who actually enjoys scrubbing the kitchen floor, cleaning the bathroom, or clearing out a closet? These aren’t glamorous tasks. They aren’t exciting. Yet they’re part of maintaining a home that feels calm and functions well. And still, sometimes we put them off… and off… and off.

So why?

Beyond the obvious (it’s not fun), procrastination often has something deeper underneath it. For many people, decision-making feels hard. And when something feels hard, we tend to avoid it. Unfortunately, avoidance doesn’t remove the task—it simply delays it.

If we want to move forward, we have to look at what’s underneath the procrastination.

Instead of avoiding the task, look for ways to make it easier, less stressful, and maybe even a little enjoyable. One simple strategy is to plan before you begin. Have a short planning session before an organizing session. Create a criteria list—a set of questions to guide you when decluttering or organizing. You can even create a similar list of questions to ask yourself before bringing something new into your home.

When you’ve already done the thinking ahead of time, the actual work becomes much lighter.

For example, when decluttering a closet, your questions might include:

·         Have I worn this within the last XXX months? (excluding seasonal items)

·         Does it fit well?

·         Is it comfortable?

·         Is it in good condition?

·         Do I truly like it?

·         Do I feel good when I wear it?

·         If it needs mending, will I realistically mend it?

Now, instead of standing in front of your closet staring at an item and feeling stuck, you simply pull it out and walk through your list. No overthinking. Just honest answers to questions you thoughtfully created for yourself.

Will it still feel hard sometimes? Yes. But it becomes clearer—and much quicker—when you have a framework to follow. And remember, no one is forcing you to answer those questions. You’re simply giving yourself guidance.

Once you’ve made your plan, put it on your calendar. Appointments you make with yourself absolutely count. Just because it’s not a work meeting doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Creating a home that supports your life is real work.

As for those less-than-fun chores like scrubbing floors or cleaning the bathroom—turn on some upbeat music (whatever makes you smile), stop overthinking, and just start moving. Often we spend more time avoiding a task than it would actually take to complete it.

And don’t forget to reward yourself. Dangle that carrot. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive—just something small and pleasant that you look forward to after the work is done. Maybe it’s 20 quiet minutes with a magazine, an episode of a favorite show, a walk outside, or even an ice cream cone. The reward comes after the effort.

You can keep procrastinating until the task disappears (because someone else did it or you’re moving and decide it no longer matters)… or you can pause and gently ask yourself why you’re avoiding it—and create a simple solution that helps you move forward.

Most importantly, give yourself grace. Instead of criticizing yourself for what you didn’t do, write down three good things you did do today. Maybe you gave someone a compliment. Maybe you helped a neighbor. Maybe you tackled a small chore without being asked. Or maybe you simply took your vitamins without complaining—I’ll admit, that one counts for me too.

Progress doesn’t require perfection. It simply requires a small step—and a little kindness toward yourself along the way.

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

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