Procrastinating may be a guilty pleasure or even a coping mechanism for many of us; one that has a tight grasp on our daily lives. Many people, including myself, simply work better under the pressure of finishing things in the eleventh hour. However, it is undeniable that the guilt of procrastination devours us from within and is detrimental to our mental well-being. If so, how exactly can we untangle ourselves from its sticky threads?

Strict time management

Habits are deeply ingrained in our brains. They compel our bodies to carry out certain actions almost automatically. That, in turn, makes it difficult for our minds to override these habits. This makes it all the more important for us to adhere to a to-do list that outlines when we ought to perform a chore and for how long. By sticking to the list and turning it into a habit, our minds might just spare us from procrastination.

It is, of course, important that you make a realistic routine that is open to changes. As someone who has to juggle work and academics with multiple extracurricular activities, I would suggest to even utilise time as best as you can. For instance, maybe read a book or listen to a lecture when you are stuck in traffic, provided you are in the right headspace for it.

Know what to prioritise

You may not be able to fully complete your to-do list, and that's absolutely fine. But make it your goal to complete at least three productive tasks every day. Get the hardest things done when you have more energy. You should also try and prioritise tasks according to their deadlines.  

Identify and remove distractions

What are some things that easily distract you? Is it your social media or streaming services? Figuring out what prevents you from getting work done can help create barriers to accessing them. If it's the allure of social media that makes you procrastinate, keep your phone stashed away in a drawer or place it in another room. Do anything you can to make it inconvenient for you to start scrolling.

Motivate yourself

Use sticky notes to remind yourself what it is that you're working so hard for. Make use of positive reinforcement. Tell yourself that if you finish just this one task, you can watch an episode of your favourite show.

What I do when I need to urgently get something done late at night is light a scented candle. This is a hack I will never stop blabbering about. Not only do the smell and the fire hazard keep you awake, but they are also too expensive for you to waste procrastinating. The best part: depending on the size, these candles need to stay lit for a minimum of two hours to prevent caving, so you can't just blow them out either. Finish whatever you were (or weren't) doing and start procrastinating again once you're done.

Procrastinate, but on a schedule

When making a routine, it is crucial to allocate some free time if you simply cannot stop procrastinating. It's better to waste an hour if it makes you feel better, instead of wasting the entire day because you weren't in the mood to get things done.

Also, remember to be kind to yourself. Procrastination happens to the best of us, so don't beat yourself up over it. Forgive yourself and move on. Experiment with these tips a bit, and you might just be able to free yourself from the sticky threads of procrastination.