How to Overcome Procrastination and Pursue Your Dreams: A Story of Young Adult Challenges and Triumphs

It's been months since the girls moved in together. Their carefree lives had turned into a whirlwind of responsibilities as young adults. After months of laughter and late-night girl talks, the mood shifted. Each girl began her journey into adulthood as the first leaves turned yellow.

As they settled into their new routines, life outside of school was becoming the norm. Each girl was now juggling work and responsibilities and personal dreams. Working to carve out a future that reflects their individual passions and ambitions. Their little apartment was now filled with the sounds of early morning alarms and late-night meal prep.

Lavender found it difficult to keep up with her roommates' go-getter attitudes. Soon, the anxieties of the future hang in the air like a thick fog. Finding herself at a crossroads between work and going to college. "Should I dive headfirst into becoming a worker bee or go to school?"

Even though the girls share advice sections during weekly Friday night dinners, Lavender still feels uncertain about her future. While the others celebrated small wins, she watched from the sidelines. When her roommates comforted each other during doubts, the freckle-faced young girl worried about her commitments.

Lavender's problem was that when everyone around her performed at their best, it led her to procrastinate. It felt challenging to be the one who needed to hit that same level of excellence. It was like being in a race. All her competitors were sprinting ahead while she was still trying to find her rhythm. As the young woman felt the pressure mounted, it became difficult to maintain confidence.

In a study by Joseph Ferrari at Depaul University of Chicago, procrastination is a chronic habit affecting many parts of our lives for 20 percent of the population.

"Lavender, your room looks so clean," complimented Sage one Saturday afternoon.

"Thanks. I've been working hard on it," said the fiery-haired beauty.

"How are your college applications going?"

"Oh, I haven't done those yet, but I have plenty of time. I have a couple more months before I have to send in my information."

"Have you heard the latest buzz about college applications? My dad just mentioned that spots are filling up fast! If you're considering a local college, that's totally fine! But you'll need to get cracking if you want a spot at Maplewood College."

"I know, I know. I'm working on it."

This information overwhelmed Lavender. At the moment, she juggled two demanding jobs that often tired her. The constant hustle and bustle made it hard to focus. She had to finish her application essay but found it hard to write. Every time she had a minute, social obligations, social media, or rest seemed to take over. It was as if there were not enough minutes in a day. The ginger-haired girl felt guilty for not doing what she was supposed to do.

For months, stress and anxiety from thinking about the essay were boiling. Each time Lavender thought about it, the deadline seemed to get closer. It wasn't about writing the essay but facing the expectations she had set for herself. What if her essay needed to be better to get into Maplewood College? It was now causing her to not sleep as much, and she was neglecting her tennis.

The blank white background mocked her whenever she attempted to write. Staring at it only made her irritable, tense, and uneasy. This created a cycle that made getting started even more complicated, so the easiest thing to do was procrastinate.

In the book "Solving the Procrastination Puzzle by Timothy A. Pychyl, PH.D. he writes, "When faced with a task where our natural inclination is to say, "I'll do it later" or "I'll feel more like this tomorrow," we need to stop and recognize that we are saying this to avoid the negative emotions we are feeling right now."

"Hey, Lav, I'm sending in my college application today. Would you like to send yours at the same time?" asked Briar a few weeks later as Lavender was getting ready to play tennis with her friends.

"No, that's cool. I have a last-minute game with the girls; I'll do it later."

"Well, you can give it to me. I might drop our applications off since I'll be in the area."

"Don't worry about it. I'll do it myself. It's almost complete, but I want to put some last-minute touches on it."

Lavender stared at her desk from her ajar room door, a familiar knot tightening in her stomach. Once again, the blank page mocked her. To her, the page was laughing at the fact that she hadn't even begun to write her essay. But deep down, she reassured herself: "It's okay. I'll tackle it tomorrow." Within the next two weeks, she had time to write a great essay, proofread it, and send in her application.

The Latin roots for the word procrastination mean "to put forward to tomorrow."

She would go play her match and forget about this problem. As she gathered her things to leave, Lavender's anxiety began to fade. She reminded herself that procrastination was part of the process for many students. Tomorrow would bring new opportunities, new ideas would flow, and inspiration would strike eventually. She decided to embrace the moment and forget about the looming deadline.

"Hey, Sage, did you submit your college application?" Briar asked one Friday morning.

"I've decided I won't be going to college this semester," said the almond-eyed girl. "I'm learning so much working in fashion right now. This is an incredible opportunity to learn real-world skills instead of jumping back into classes and constant homework." She spoke while making a peanut butter and jelly bagel. As she finished spreading the jelly, she lifted the butter knife to her lips and licked it. "This will help me make better career choices for my future."

"What does your father think of your decision," Briar asked while thinking about making herself a PB&J.

"I'll wait till admissions are closed to tell him," Sage smirked.

"Hey Lav!" Briar welcomed her third roommate as she stepped out of her bedroom. "I totally understand where you're coming from; selecting a major can be crazy. I'm feeling a bit lost over all my options. I hope I get accepted into my first choice, but my second choice isn't too bad, either!" Briar said, heading for the bag of St-Viateur bagels. "We were discussing college applications—what major did you finally settle on? I'm having a hard time choosing."

Lavender returned to her bedroom, motioning that she had forgotten something inside. A familiar wave of dread came over her as she sat on the edge of the twin bed. The knot in her stomach tightened. But with a deep breath, she forced herself to push those sick feelings down.

"What's up with her?" Whispered Briar as Sage shrugged, digging it into her bagle.

As Lavender stared at the wall, thoughts raced through her mind. What was she going to do now? After all these months of saving up for college, now look, she hadn't even written her essay. Muchless submitted the application. The pressure felt suffocating; it was as if the walls were closing in around her.

She imagined her mother's reaction if she learned Lavender hadn't applied to college this semester. Would there be disappointment? Anger? A mix of both? The thought alone sent another wave of anxiety crashing over her.

"What do I do now?" she thought frantically. The weight of her last-minute decisions pressed heavily on her shoulders. How could she have let things spiral out of control like this? It was a familiar pattern; she often found herself caught in the web of procrastination. Yet, when it came to her job, she was a model employee—efficient, organized, and always ahead of deadlines.

As the minutes slipped away, Lavender realized this was about more than time. It was about facing her fear of the unknown. The thought of tackling something unfamiliar filled her with dread. "It's going to take forever," she thought, overwhelmed by starting from scratch.

"We assume we can get more done in less time than is reasonable, and we assume talks will take less time than usual," says Timothy A. Pychyl, PH.D. in the book "Solving the Procrastination Puzzle."

Lavender was in a familiar spot. She had one week to finish her essay before the deadline. The pressure was palpable. But, a spark of confidence ignited as she sat, reflecting on her high school days. Back then, writing papers overnight had been second nature to her. She remembered nights of determination and creativity. Ideas had poured onto the page.

With this memory fresh in her mind, Lavender pondered her current situation. "What if I give myself a couple more days to think this through?" she mused, envisioning her thoughts marinating until they solidified into something unique. The essay that she would turn in would be amazing, and they would definitely accept her.

"I love where this is headed," Lavender thought —the plan is shaping up to be incredible. Of course, some hurdles will have to be overcome, like picking a topic and finding someone to edit her work at the last minute, but that's all part of the process. In the meantime, I can start brainstorming ideas and making mental notes about my essay.

But as she sat, she got hungry. Making breakfast, she remembered that the new stock of YA novels would be in today. "I'm itching to dive in and explore the latest releases."

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday came and went, and Lavender had yet to write a word. When things came to a head, Lavender confessed that she never wrote her essay. Her mother was disappointed that she didn't seek help sooner. It is usual for young adult women to feel the pressures of adulthood when making life-changing decisions.

When she found the courage to confide in her roommates, they admitted that they felt the same way about making big decisions. They advised her to meet with the college admissions counselor. The counselor was terrific. She told Lavender that many students have this problem and that it was not too late to submit her application. She would even give her a two-week extension.

"I wish more students would come to see me about their procrastination." said the older lady.

Here are some steps you can take if you face what Lavender was going through in this short story.

1. Break tasks into smaller steps

For starters, when faced with a daunting task, such as writing college applications, breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps can make it less intimidating. Set aside time for each step and celebrate small accomplishments.

2. Embrace support

Secondly, discuss your concerns with friends, family, or mentors. Sharing your concerns can provide relief and open the door to valuable advice and counsel.

3. Practice self-compassion

Third, feeling overwhelmed is normal, and being kind to yourself during difficult times is critical. Recognize that setbacks and procrastination are common and do not define your abilities or potential for success.

4. Seek professional help if needed

Finally, if your anxiety and procrastination are significantly impacting your well-being and daily life, you should seek help from a counselor or therapist.

Remember that it is okay if your journey differs from others. Every step you take toward your goals, no matter how small, is a positive step forward. Stay focused, resilient, and confident in overcoming life's challenges.

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