SELFCARE PROCRASTINATION STOPPER
Procrastination is a challenge that everyone faces at one point or another. Usually it's associated with putting off negative things we don't want to do, but a lot of people, especially carers, find procrastination featuring in their life in reverse.
How many times have you known that you really need to take some time out to decompress or to recharge your batteries but haven’t because you have 'too much to do'? Have there been times you really needed a break and haven’t asked for help because it seemed too much bother?
Putting off taking time for yourself when you know you need to, is a form of procrastination.
WHY DO WE PROCRASTINATE?
As humans, we value short term gains over long term rewards. In other words we see more value in washing the dishes than taking time out to have a regular relaxing bubble bath because the relief of a clean kitchen is immediate. Self-care, though pleasurable at the time, needs more sustained effort to feel the impact on our mental and physical health.
It helps to imagine having two selves ... 'Me Now' and a 'Future Me'. When we set goals like taking more time out for self-care, we're actually making plans for 'Future Me ... but the actions are being done by 'Me Now'.
'Future Me' is great at making plans and setting goals, but 'Me Now' likes instant gratification, rather than long term pay off.
