The Myth That Procrastination Is “Just Laziness”

If you struggle with procrastination, you’ve probably felt the weight of shame that comes with it. You might call yourself lazy or wonder why you can’t just get things done like everyone else seems to. But the truth is, procrastination isn’t usually about laziness at all. I see many people just like you in anxiety counseling in OKC who have decided that they are “lazy”, “unmotivated” or “don’t have enough self-control.” These are normal conclusions that people draw but they are deeply mistaken!

For many people, procrastination is deeply connected to anxiety. Let’s be real, it’s not that you don’t want to do something. It’s that doing it feels overwhelming, risky, or even threatening. The fear of failure, perfectionism, or uncertainty can make it feel safer to put things off.

Understanding this connection can bring a lot of relief. You’re not broken, and you’re definitely not lazy. You’re anxious, and your mind is trying to protect you in the only way it knows how.

Anxiety’s Role in Avoidance

At its core, procrastination is a form of avoidance. You know there’s something you “should” do, but for some reason, you just can’t bring yourself to do it.

When anxiety gets involved, the story becomes clearer. You might worry that the task won’t go well, that you’ll fail, or that others will judge your work. You might even fear what success would mean like: more responsibility, more expectations, or more visibility.

What’s important to understand is that procrastination doesn’t truly help you avoid discomfort. Even when you’re not doing the task, it’s still taking up space in your mind. You think about it, feel bad about not doing it, and try to motivate yourself, which only adds more stress.

So while procrastination feels like a short break from anxiety, it actually keeps anxiety alive by creating an ongoing cycle of guilt and worry. You are not alone in this cycle, anxiety counseling in OKC can help you better understand your relationship with procrastination.

The Procrastination Cycle

Here’s how the procrastination cycle often plays out:

You delay a task to get temporary relief from anxiety. For a short time, it feels like a weight has lifted. But soon, that same anxiety returns, usually stronger than before. You might distract yourself with other tasks to feel productive, but when the day ends, the original task is still there waiting.

Then come the thoughts: “Why didn’t I just do it? I always do this. What’s wrong with me?” The guilt and shame build up, feeding your anxiety and making it even harder to start the next day.

It’s exhausting. You’re not resting; you’re mentally working overtime. Procrastination feels like an escape, but it’s really another form of stress.

Recognizing Your Triggers

A helpful first step is to identify what your personal “task A” is the thing you keep putting off. Maybe it’s an important project, making a phone call, or setting a boundary.

Next, pause and reflect before reacting. Ask yourself:

• What feelings come up when I think about doing this task?
• Am I afraid of how it might turn out?
• What would it mean if I didn’t do it perfectly?

Taking a pause creates space for understanding rather than judgment. It allows you to respond with compassion instead of frustration.

Remember, procrastination takes work. It’s not an absence of effort. You’re spending emotional, mental, and sometimes physical energy avoiding discomfort. When you start to see the cost of that avoidance, you can begin to choose differently, one small step at a time.

Procrastination is a short-term solution that DOES NOT address the issue. As the word suggests it only delays and puts off what you know needs to happen. Procrastination also guarantees that the turmoil you experience will continue over a longer amount of time because you and I both know that the only thing that will actually begin to resolve the situation is tackling your brand of “task A”.

Procrastination isn’t the solution it only drags out the problem!

Breaking Free from the Cycle

Procrastination and anxiety often feed off each other, but it’s absolutely possible to break free. It starts with awareness, compassion, and gentle curiosity about what’s really going on beneath the surface.

If you’re ready to find peace with your anxiety and stop feeling trapped by procrastination, I’m here to help. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation for anxiety counseling in OKC, and let’s take the first step toward helping you find relief and confidence again.