INDECISION AND PROCRASTINATION

Photo by Juan Pablo Arenas on Pexels.com

Recently I cancelled a trip I had booked a few months ago. At the time that I booked the planned trip, it seemed like a great idea and I was very excited and looked forward to it with much anticipation. As the time drew closer, I was not as excited as I was when I initially made the reservation. I decided to proceed with my plans, so as not to disappoint those who were expecting me. I told myself…the closer I got to the time of departure, my initial excitement would resurface. The more I continued to go along with something I now felt I should postpone, the more anxious I felt. Instead of packing and making plans, I felt more and more, that this was not the right time to go on vacation. So, about two weeks before my scheduled trip, I called and postponed the date. I informed everyone who was expecting me, that I was unable to come and would do so at a later date. I felt instant relief. My indecision was no longer holding me hostage…I could now go on with my daily life.

I tell this story to show that procrastination and indecision can wreak havoc on our mind and body. Every moment you spend procrastinating or thinking about …”what should I do?” is a moment spent in stress and anxiety. You cannot completely move on until you make a decision. Also, sometimes you have to do what is best for you, even if it may be inconvenient to others. This doesn’t mean that you always have to put your needs before others, but sometimes it cannot be helped. The longer you take to make a decision that you know in your heart, is the right decision (for you) – the more you cause yourself unnecessary anxiety. The minute I decided, and finally made the call to delay my trip, a weight was lifted. I knew for weeks that I no longer felt I wanted to go away because a lot had changed in my life, between the time the scheduled trip was booked and the present time. It was no longer the right time to go. Yet, I wavered back and forth…should I or shouldn’t I? Indecision is a beast.

This experience led me to thinking of other times in my life I have delayed making a decision about something. In this case, the vacation was something that was pleasant and under other circumstances would be welcomed. (especially in this extremely cold winter weather) Other times though, we delay making decisions about unpleasant tasks and things we prefer not to deal with. We put off and delay making a decision, which prolongs whatever distress we may be feeling. Ultimately, we usually still have to come to a conclusion about a problem or issue which will not magically disappear. We still end up having to deal with the problem head-on. Whether its days, months or even years, we still have to face the issue at some point and make a decision. Looking at our problems and issues in the face and tackling them head-on, would save us a lot of time and worry in the long run.