Laziness or Inner Fears?
In Ruby’s words…
As a current teen, I’ve spent most of my high school years affected by the pandemic. Slowly returning to a sense of “normalcy” is a difficult adjustment for me, as I’m sure it is for many of you. Although we’ve waited for the day when we can return to our “normal” ways, I’ve found myself struggling with the transition from isolation to socialization.
Something I’ve definitely gotten in the habit of is spending lots of my time engaging in unproductive activities: watching Netflix, spending excessive amounts of time on my phone, napping. These habits caused me to lack the same work ethic I’d managed in previous years. Between anxiety around both school and friends, transitioning back to in-person school was a difficult adjustment. Now, I’m not here to rant on about my anxieties and struggles, but I’m here to talk to you about ways I got through these stressful times.
Between anxiety around both school and friends, transitioning back to in-person school was a difficult adjustment.
If I were to write about ways I cope with my anxiety, I could be here for days. Instead, I’m going to focus on how managing time alleviates stress. Procrastination is very prominent in this day and age. Although procrastinators are usually stereotyped as ‘lazy’ or ‘unmotivated’, people fail to realize that some use procrastination as a coping mechanism to escape their anxiety, depression, fears, which results in a delay of tasks and lack of motivation.
As I fell deeper and deeper down the hole of procrastination, I didn’t realize the underlying factors I was experiencing that were the actual cause of my laziness. During the beginning of quarantine, COVID had so many unanswered questions; The unknown allowed me to play the same scenario over and over in my head, fearing what impact COVID could have on me, my family, and my friends.
What I failed to account for was worrying about the “what if’s” in life isn’t going to change what is going to happen. Everything happens for a reason and you shouldn’t live your life in fear.
Everything happens for a reason and you shouldn’t live your life in fear.
Once I realized the major root of my laziness was from my inner fears, I tried to break out of this habit by creating a schedule for myself. Creating a schedule not only allowed me to plan out my day but also gave me the motivation to complete everything I had put on my to-do list. A schedule is a great tool that helps you plan out your day in an organized matter.
Prior to making daily schedules, I would usually go through my day knowing that I had a lot of things to get done, however; my fears pushed this thought to the back of my mind, and instead, I ended up spending my day in bed watching T.V. This routine was not only unproductive, but it was also a toxic cycle because the continuation of this routine only made my anxiety worse.
With a schedule, I felt like I used every hour of my day to focus on things I wanted to do. This helped me get my work done, and engage in other hobbies or activities I could not engage in before because I couldn’t find the time. Having a full packed schedule helped me put all my attention towards what I had to do or what I wanted to accomplish in a day and focus less on my inner fears.
With a schedule, I felt like I used every hour of my day to focus on things I wanted to do.
I’m here to tell you all that it’s ok to feel lazy or unmotivated. It’s ok to talk to your family and friends about how you’re feeling. Believe it or not, I’m sure the person you choose to talk to has gone through something quite similar at one time or another. You’re not alone!
