Procrastination: A Trauma Response & a Mental Battle

Procrastination: A Trauma Response & a Mental Battle

Ever catch yourself putting things off, even when you know they need to get done? It’s easy to label it as laziness or bad time management, but what if it’s something deeper?

Procrastination is often a trauma response.

When we’re faced with something difficult and don’t have a clear solution, we distract ourselves instead of confronting the discomfort. We avoid emotions—fear, self-doubt, overwhelm—hoping they’ll go away. But avoidance doesn’t solve the problem; it just keeps us stuck.

We see this in history, in leadership, and in everyday life. People delay big decisions, hard conversations, or necessary changes, waiting for the “right time.” But that perfect moment rarely comes.

Isn’t that what we do? We tell ourselves:

I’ll deal with it later.

I’m not ready.

Maybe when I feel more motivated.

But delaying doesn’t make it easier. It just deepens the fear.

At its core, procrastination is a fear-based response. And the only way to break the cycle is through action.

So what’s that thing you’ve been putting off? The conversation? The decision? The step forward?

Because waiting for the “right time” is really just saying, I don’t trust myself yet.

But growth happens when we move—even before we feel ready.

Take the step. Trust yourself.

Because later… might never come.