Procrastination... what is it and why do we do it? + other things cause who cares

A short essay on the act of procrastination (and a few updates on what I did this weekend because what's an essay on procrastination if I don't also procrastinate doing the essay on procrastination).

Ah finals week. Well, it’s technically not even finals week. Finals week is next week. This week is the real week of hell. This is the week they don’t tell you about in high school and they really should. This is the week when you have a presentation and paper due in every class but you’re still expected to study for final exams next week. This week should have a name different from finals week. Let me think on this a little and I’ll come back to you.

So I’ll resort back to the question I pose in the title… what is procrastination and why do we do it? Without looking it up (because who cares THAT much?), I would define procrastination as the act of living your life to the fullest and not giving a fuck what others think. That’s all procrastination is. Also, I’ve spelled procrastination wrong every time I’ve typed it so far, I just wanna let y’all know. So, why do we procrastinate? Because doing things we’re supposed to do is no fun and we’d much rather do something else. I’m trying to write a paper right now that was due on Friday but I got an extension so now I have to turn it in tonight. I’ve written most of it (yay!) but I can’t seem to find it in me to finish. So now I’m writing this essay. Because I think this is a better use of my time than finishing my paper. And I think everyone reading this would also say this is a better use of my time.

That’s enough about procrastination let’s move to another topic! Yesterday, I went to see Beyoncé’s film, Renaissance and it changed my life. Beyoncé is the greatest performer of all time and you see why she is in this film. Her hardwork and dedication to her craft is unlike any other artist and I love that she gives a platform for other artists to create. The Renaissance concert is proof that mainstream music can be considered art if it is taken seriously enough by the artist. I don’t know how to explain this properly at the moment, maybe I’ll do another essay on what art means to me, but in short, Beyoncé makes art and going to see this film felt like going to a prestige museum but better.

Prior to the movie, I went to a bookstore nearby and sat and read my book while drinking hot mint tea. Renaissance was phenomenal but this was the highlight of my night. The bookstore café had the best cozy vibes and my tea was only $2. I finished reading Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and it was so good. I absolutely hated the narrator and yelled at her multiple times but I cannot recommend it enough. You’re supposed to hate the narrator so it’s okay.

On Friday I went to the Bryant Park winter market and it was fun but it was raining the whole time. And STILL people were ice skating. Guys… it’s not that deep. I totally understand wanting to take cute pictures while ice skating, I get it I do, but there has to be a better way than risking your life in the cold rain. Go take a cute photo while sipping hot chocolate, or eating teriyaki chicken on a stick (which I highly recommend btw, it was surprisingly really good), or standing in line at the cleanest public bathroom in New York, do ANYTHING but take pictures ice skating in the rain, please I beg you. You are going to slip and fall and die.

What was I talking about? Oh yes! Procrastination! The achilles heel of an artist. Okay now I have to be honest. In the middle of writing this essay I took a break and got back to my paper. Oh god. I procrastinated this essay which I started because I was procrastinating my paper BY finishing my paper. I’ve cracked the code to beating procrastination. You just have to procrastinate procrastinating. Fighting fire with fire!!! Hell yeah. This is the solution to all your problems, I assure you.

Or maybe procrastination is the friends we made along the way <3 (I’m talking about all you beautiful people who are reading this gibberish!) I hope you have a wonderful week that is less stressful than mine!

Bye love u,

Annie

P.S. I have decided that the week before finals is named the Week of Fighting Fire With Fire and Doing What You Can To Stay Alive. It’s not as catchy as finals week but I think it’s still good.