Tomorrow Never Comes

I have said it so many times,--haven't you? " I'll do it tomorrow, I'll start on Monday, Let me check my phone first and THEN I'll do it..." Time passes whether you do your thing or not, chances are we usually wish we did the thing when we we first thought about doing it. If I started that -diet, exercise class, self development course--last year when I thought about it, I would be in a different place right now.

The phrase "Tomorrow Never Comes" is a powerful reminder of how being present with ourselves in the moment, empowers our tomorrow.

An old clock frozen symbolizing the elusive nature of tomorrow

The Procrastination Destination

But there is an important thing to know: procrastination isn't laziness. It’s a coping mechanism. When I tell myself "tomorrow," my brain isn't being bad or lazy —it’s trying to keep me safe. Procrastination is actually an emotional regulation strategy. When a task feels too big, too scary, or too tied to my self-worth, my nervous system treats that "To-Do" list like a predator in the wild.

I’m not "slacking off" on my phone; I’m stuck in a freeze response, trying to balance the intense overwhelm i feel about the thing with Instagram dopamine.

Why We Keep Waiting for Tomorrow

We use "tomorrow" as a pressure-release valve. It gives us an immediate mood boost because we’ve successfully avoided the thing that was making us anxious. But that safety is an illusion. We are just trading hours. of scrolling for a lifetime of "what ifs."

The next time you find yourself doomscrolling, or Neflixing on the couch, ask yourself: Underneath this overwhelm what am I feeling? What am I trying to protect myself from right now?

Is it the fear of being "not good enough"? Fear of failure? Your mothers words that you'll never amount to anything so why bother starting ? The overwhelm of not knowing where to start? Recognition is the first step toward realizing that while "Tomorrow" is a comfortable hiding spot, "Now" is the only place where your life actually happens.

Procrastination in Camo

Procrastination isn't just not doing. It can take many forms we don't recognize on the surface.

• Productive procrastination. You busy yourself with a non-priority task

• You delay a difficult conversation

• You stay busy prioritizing others peoples projects, then you don't have time for yours

• The research rabbit hole-- your endlessly watching those "how to videos" instead of actually diving into your own project.

How to Stop the Tomorrow Never Comes Monster

Doing your inner work is the very first place to begin. Finding out what your procrastination is keeping you safe from requires some self inquiry. Doing your inner work first ensures the gears are running smoothly making it easier to get moving.

Start with smaller steps. You build momentum one small step at a time. That may look like writing a paragraph instead of a whole page or 2 pushups at the kitchen sink instead of going for broke on the hour long workout

Use Time Block Identify what truly matters and focus on those tasks first. Use tools like to-do lists or priority matrices to organize your day. Allocate specific times for tasks to avoid distractions and procrastination.

Embrace Imperfection Accept that not everything needs to be perfect. Taking action is more important than waiting for ideal conditions. The old attage, "something is better than nothing" rings true here.

Practice Mindfulness Mindfulness is the most powerful tool you can use in the battle of "I'll do it tomorrow" because it helps us become aware of the the deeper patterns driving the behavior. We become more relational to what we are actually feeling and that enables us to untangle the unconscious reaction. Then we can move through the procrastination with greater ease.

Need assistance with your procrastination destination? Eileen is a Certified Unified Mindfulness Teacher and alternative healer who has completed multiple vision quests enabling her to be a clear and effective conduit for your personal growth. Eileen@RelaxandExpand.com