Procrastination is a Wasting Disease

Is it possible to be addicted to procrastination? Because I think I am.

Ever since I can remember, I've been a procrastinator. But only about some things! Namely, things that were not fun. Like homework, when I was in elementary school. Or like research papers, when I was in college.

Or like newspaper articles, right now.

Hmmm. The less things change, the more they stay the same.

But when I was younger, I think I believed that I would conquer my procrastinatory tendencies as I matured. With age comes wisdom, so they say, and with wisdom ought to come the ability to prioritize. At least, that's my theory. It doesn't seem to be working out so well in my case, though.

(Which could be a good thing, actually. Because if I'm not getting wiser, it must mean that--I'm not getting older either! Ah, nothing like a silver lining.)

At this very moment, I am in the throes of a particularly bad bout of procrastination. Over a month ago, my editor asked me to write two--just two!--articles for an annual magazine published by the newspaper. Two very simple pieces. They are both due on Thursday, which is in fact four days past the initial deadline. They are both severely and thoroughly not finished.

Now. I know, from vast legions of past experience, that those articles will get done. But it will probably cost me a certain amount of stress, not to mention those unforunate souls who live under the same roof with me and have to put up with the manifestations of that stress. The cost will probably also involve lots of lack of sleep, and coffee-drinking, and avoidance measures (e.g., I will suddenly be enthralled by the idea of cleaning).

Why, oh why, do I do this to myself? I always say, "Next time will be different," but then it never is! Woe is me.

So yes, I think I am addicted to procrastination. I'm sure I need to get some sort of help for this terrible malady, and I will. I promise.

Tomorrow.

(I know, I know! You saw that one coming, didn't you? Ha!)