Procrastination is often seen as a bad thing—putting off something dreaded in favor of something more enjoyable. It certainly adds unnecessary stress, but I do not think procrastination by itself is a bad thing. For instance, I like deadlines. In fact, I would barely be able to function without deadlines, so I often end up needing to imposing them on myself.
Back when I had deadlines for school, I struggled with one type of procrastination. Say I had a term paper due at the end of the semester. I would start on the project incredibly early, maybe within the week it was assigned. I would feel so good about actually beginning the work that I would shelve what I had done until it was almost due. At this point, I would dig out the work, now two to three months old, and attempt to rejoin my thoughts, stringing together paragraphs with linking sentences. Needless to say, it was not the best way to work.
I look at procrastination more as a way to prioritize our to-do list. Just having a deadline is enough to ensure something is done. For most of us, then, the important things will rise to the top. The most notorious procrastinators I have known make the claim that all their best work is done the night before something is due. Whether or not this is true is besides the point.
I also think putting off work in favor of more relaxing activities can put us in a better headspace to get the work done. After all, how good can our work be if we have not taken any breaks? At the very least, a relaxing break can refresh the brain for a bit. This may be a stretch—even putting it in words seems like an excuse—but there is some truth to the axiom, “All work and no play…”
Instead, I think the direct danger with procrastination lies with the speed at which we try to accomplish the task. If you run right up to when something is supposed to be done, you will likely rush and the quality will suffer as a result. The balance, which is different for everyone, lies somewhere in taking enough time to be comfortable finishing the product and allowing enough time to be successful.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Anxiety: A Weird Heat Companion
In many cases, anxiety can resemble stress, a previously covered topic. It can give that same unpleasant sensation where something is wrong. Unlike stress, though, it may not be possible to point at the direct cause. While stress may be something we can fix, anxiety might be the opposite. Instead, we may be subject to anxiety without a direct causation, making it all the harder to return to normalcy. In a way, stress seems more measurable, while the mass of anxiety is beyond such evaluation.
It is difficult to describe the two conditions, because everyone responds to them differently--and with different levels of severity. As a result, I can really only think through my own experiences. When I’m anxious, I tend to associate it with some overarching cloud of dread. Something is just not right yet I cannot point exactly at what is so troubling. Often when I question what has me feeling down, I really have to think what is at work on my mind. I think this is partly due to the fact that it takes a combination of events working together to make me anxious. For those extra-sensitive to anxiety, a multitude of simultaneous events could lead to panic attacks.
Another difference between anxiety and stress--for me, at least--is when the events are occurring. If I am nervous about something that is yet to happen, I think of this as stress. Also in such situations, I am typically pointing at one event (in the future) that is adding stress. For anxiety, I find it was things in the past working together to make me anxious. For example, I did not get as much work done as I wanted PLUS that social interaction did not go well PLUS I wish I had more time to complete that activity. As events snowball, anxiety builds.
If, as I see it, anxiety is caused by things in my recent past, then that should mean they are not possible to change. They have already happened, so I cannot undo them. I think this is what causes anxiety to take over. While stresses are things we can relieve by preparing to deal with them, anxiety is something we have to deal with as it has passed. Sure, we can work to improve the situations that may have led to the anxiety in the first place, but we cannot eliminate it fully. We can only get through it over time.
Unfortunately, not everyone processes anxiety as easily over time. I consider myself lucky that I am not susceptible to panic attacks and do not have to take added precautions dealing with anxiety. For the same reason, I would never begrudge someone who did have to take such actions. Every mind is complex, and anxiety has an impact on each one.
It is difficult to describe the two conditions, because everyone responds to them differently--and with different levels of severity. As a result, I can really only think through my own experiences. When I’m anxious, I tend to associate it with some overarching cloud of dread. Something is just not right yet I cannot point exactly at what is so troubling. Often when I question what has me feeling down, I really have to think what is at work on my mind. I think this is partly due to the fact that it takes a combination of events working together to make me anxious. For those extra-sensitive to anxiety, a multitude of simultaneous events could lead to panic attacks.
Another difference between anxiety and stress--for me, at least--is when the events are occurring. If I am nervous about something that is yet to happen, I think of this as stress. Also in such situations, I am typically pointing at one event (in the future) that is adding stress. For anxiety, I find it was things in the past working together to make me anxious. For example, I did not get as much work done as I wanted PLUS that social interaction did not go well PLUS I wish I had more time to complete that activity. As events snowball, anxiety builds.
If, as I see it, anxiety is caused by things in my recent past, then that should mean they are not possible to change. They have already happened, so I cannot undo them. I think this is what causes anxiety to take over. While stresses are things we can relieve by preparing to deal with them, anxiety is something we have to deal with as it has passed. Sure, we can work to improve the situations that may have led to the anxiety in the first place, but we cannot eliminate it fully. We can only get through it over time.
Unfortunately, not everyone processes anxiety as easily over time. I consider myself lucky that I am not susceptible to panic attacks and do not have to take added precautions dealing with anxiety. For the same reason, I would never begrudge someone who did have to take such actions. Every mind is complex, and anxiety has an impact on each one.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Thanksgiving: A Weird Heat Companion
Thanksgiving is in an odd position on the calendar. Wedged between the marketable Halloween and the impending Christmas, Thanksgiving can be overlooked during what we call the overarching “holiday season.” It is an integral part of the season, however, one of the three pillars along with the aforementioned holidays.
I appreciate that through the years, Thanksgiving has not lost its core theme: actually being thankful. While we have pilgrim mascots sitting around a table the day of and commercialism (literally) busting down doors the day after, we nevertheless associate this holiday in particular with food and family. This puts us in a position to naturally look around and appreciate what we have. Even if we do not actively think of “giving thanks,” the feeling of love and gratitude is all but inevitable.
Thanksgiving certainly engenders great memories. Arguably, the holiday produces more feelings than any holiday save Christmas. For me, it serves to recall immediately past Thanksgivings sitting and eating with family. In fact, this time of year makes up some of my earliest memories, which is probably true for many people who celebrate it.
Of course, I have the added pleasure of watching my favorite professional football team, the Detroit Lions, play on this day every year. While everyone else in the country simply looks forward to football, through this weird tradition, I am guaranteed to see my own team. Granted, this pleasure turns into disappointment more often than not, but it is still something I anticipate each season.
One part of Thanksgiving I don’t think I have ever experienced is the common trope of family arguments around the table. Perhaps my family is more even-keeled, or perhaps we avoid conflict. Whatever the case, I am glad to not have this added dread. The holidays are stressful enough.
Of the three consecutive holidays--Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas--a person could make a case that any is their favorite. Even if you are not in a country that celebrates it, I hope everyone has at least something to be thankful for and a Happy Thanksgiving.
I appreciate that through the years, Thanksgiving has not lost its core theme: actually being thankful. While we have pilgrim mascots sitting around a table the day of and commercialism (literally) busting down doors the day after, we nevertheless associate this holiday in particular with food and family. This puts us in a position to naturally look around and appreciate what we have. Even if we do not actively think of “giving thanks,” the feeling of love and gratitude is all but inevitable.
Thanksgiving certainly engenders great memories. Arguably, the holiday produces more feelings than any holiday save Christmas. For me, it serves to recall immediately past Thanksgivings sitting and eating with family. In fact, this time of year makes up some of my earliest memories, which is probably true for many people who celebrate it.
Of course, I have the added pleasure of watching my favorite professional football team, the Detroit Lions, play on this day every year. While everyone else in the country simply looks forward to football, through this weird tradition, I am guaranteed to see my own team. Granted, this pleasure turns into disappointment more often than not, but it is still something I anticipate each season.
One part of Thanksgiving I don’t think I have ever experienced is the common trope of family arguments around the table. Perhaps my family is more even-keeled, or perhaps we avoid conflict. Whatever the case, I am glad to not have this added dread. The holidays are stressful enough.
Of the three consecutive holidays--Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas--a person could make a case that any is their favorite. Even if you are not in a country that celebrates it, I hope everyone has at least something to be thankful for and a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Money: A Weird Heat Companion
In many ways, money is the backbone of society. It influences everything: where we live, why we work, how we relax. Money is also necessary to live. Without money, we cannot eat or drink, travel to and from work, or occupy a home, much less enjoy recreation. Nearly every decision we make eventually comes back to its financial worth. We make sacrifices--unwanted jobs, modest homes--simply because they are affordable. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Conversely, money is called “the root of all evil.” Because it influences so much in our daily lives, the desire for more can easily corrupt our decision-making abilities. When we get some, we only want more. This is greed. The very crux of the capitalist argument is to do what is right for oneself first and foremost. By achieving that security, we would theoretically hurt others to benefit ourselves. Money can also lead to jealousy when someone else earns more. This gap can sever relationships. So by definition, money is a necessary evil. Necessary because it allows us to live, evil because it can drive us apart.
When I was in college, I arrived at a sensible idea of using money through the advice of a friend. His thinking was to use money first to take care of necessities (of course), save emergency funds as needed (again, of course), but then to live comfortably and happily with the leftover. This sounds overtly obvious, and it is. If we make decisions on where to work based solely on the fact that we make more money, how happy can we expect to be? And if we opt to not attend a fun event because it costs money, how much happier is that extra $100 in our bank account? This attitude was new to me, but I grew to like it.
Making decisions following this method takes the importance out of money, not letting it run your life. I would never advocate spending the entirety of one’s paycheck on something frivolous or living outside of one’s means; rather, I would recommend people stop turning money into a priority. It should be the means to enjoying life, not the goal of it. Sure, money may be the root of all evil, but only if we let it.
I realize this sounds, at the very least, more than a little privileged. Not everyone has the luxury of having masses of extra money lying around. I certainly don’t. But I have come to realize money is no key to happiness. Instead, it is quite the opposite. If we can take money off its pedestal, by turning it into a tool rather than a goal, we can improve any facet of our lives.
Conversely, money is called “the root of all evil.” Because it influences so much in our daily lives, the desire for more can easily corrupt our decision-making abilities. When we get some, we only want more. This is greed. The very crux of the capitalist argument is to do what is right for oneself first and foremost. By achieving that security, we would theoretically hurt others to benefit ourselves. Money can also lead to jealousy when someone else earns more. This gap can sever relationships. So by definition, money is a necessary evil. Necessary because it allows us to live, evil because it can drive us apart.
When I was in college, I arrived at a sensible idea of using money through the advice of a friend. His thinking was to use money first to take care of necessities (of course), save emergency funds as needed (again, of course), but then to live comfortably and happily with the leftover. This sounds overtly obvious, and it is. If we make decisions on where to work based solely on the fact that we make more money, how happy can we expect to be? And if we opt to not attend a fun event because it costs money, how much happier is that extra $100 in our bank account? This attitude was new to me, but I grew to like it.
Making decisions following this method takes the importance out of money, not letting it run your life. I would never advocate spending the entirety of one’s paycheck on something frivolous or living outside of one’s means; rather, I would recommend people stop turning money into a priority. It should be the means to enjoying life, not the goal of it. Sure, money may be the root of all evil, but only if we let it.
I realize this sounds, at the very least, more than a little privileged. Not everyone has the luxury of having masses of extra money lying around. I certainly don’t. But I have come to realize money is no key to happiness. Instead, it is quite the opposite. If we can take money off its pedestal, by turning it into a tool rather than a goal, we can improve any facet of our lives.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Fear: A Weird Heat Companion
Every October, movie fans flock to theaters to see the newest scary release. I like to make a plan to watch as many horror films as I can--modern or classic, psychological or slasher. In fact, horror movies are not limited only to October. It seems there is a new horror movie in theaters every month and on Netflix every week. And I could just as easily put on Silence of the Lambs or Halloween in April as I could in the fall. As a form of entertainment, we seek out fear and crave terrifying situations. As long as it’s happening to someone else. As long as it’s fictional.
Despite our seeming obsession with the macabre, humans certainly try and avoid fears in real life. It goes without saying, none of us want to be trapped in a house stalked by a killer. Luckily, almost no one has to endure this terror, but this doesn’t mean our lives are entirely absent of fear. Our forms of fear are less intense, but equally affecting.
People confront fears on a daily basis at a personal level as well as at a global level. We may be afraid of our boss which prevents us from advancing in our career. Or we may be afraid of our commute which prevents from even getting to work. Or we may be afraid of global warming and nuclear war which prevents us from getting out of bed. These are all fears, however irrational, that people could possibly be forced to manage.
For most people, the above concerns would not even register. But there may be little truths hidden in these fears that may seem a little more familiar. For example, we may be afraid of disappointing our boss if our work is not up to usual standards. This a far more valid fear that affects our daily life. What’s interesting, though, instead of destroying us, this fear could be a tool to inspire us to work harder.
Fear can also be a benefit or a hindrance in creating art. Imagine a person so proud of a song she wrote or a painting he made. The natural place to share this work is the Internet. But what about the countless examples we have of faceless commenters tearing down creative work for no personal gain? All it takes is that spark of fear and the budding artist will never share their work. The fear of being attacked online is painful, of course, because it is symbolic of the fear of failing.
The most commonly expressed fears always seem to be external, like snakes, flights, or heights. Often the fears circle back to pain or death. Failure, on the contrary, is more of an internal fear. The pain of failure is often a more emotional one, but still just as real.
Despite our seeming obsession with the macabre, humans certainly try and avoid fears in real life. It goes without saying, none of us want to be trapped in a house stalked by a killer. Luckily, almost no one has to endure this terror, but this doesn’t mean our lives are entirely absent of fear. Our forms of fear are less intense, but equally affecting.
People confront fears on a daily basis at a personal level as well as at a global level. We may be afraid of our boss which prevents us from advancing in our career. Or we may be afraid of our commute which prevents from even getting to work. Or we may be afraid of global warming and nuclear war which prevents us from getting out of bed. These are all fears, however irrational, that people could possibly be forced to manage.
For most people, the above concerns would not even register. But there may be little truths hidden in these fears that may seem a little more familiar. For example, we may be afraid of disappointing our boss if our work is not up to usual standards. This a far more valid fear that affects our daily life. What’s interesting, though, instead of destroying us, this fear could be a tool to inspire us to work harder.
Fear can also be a benefit or a hindrance in creating art. Imagine a person so proud of a song she wrote or a painting he made. The natural place to share this work is the Internet. But what about the countless examples we have of faceless commenters tearing down creative work for no personal gain? All it takes is that spark of fear and the budding artist will never share their work. The fear of being attacked online is painful, of course, because it is symbolic of the fear of failing.
The most commonly expressed fears always seem to be external, like snakes, flights, or heights. Often the fears circle back to pain or death. Failure, on the contrary, is more of an internal fear. The pain of failure is often a more emotional one, but still just as real.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Stress: A Weird Heat Companion
Stress, as they say, takes years off our lives. Supposedly, it damages backs, overworks hearts, and prematurely turns hair grey. When we become stressed, we may also become unpleasant and lash out at others. It’s an overall uncomfortable feeling, being stressed. But stress can also be a great motivator.
Stress is a metaphorical two-way street. If we let it define us and affect us, it can be crushing and debilitating. At its worst, we are unable to focus on anything else until we alleviate some of the stress. But at the same time, we need a little pressure in our lives or we will begin to stagnate. A small amount of stress can be this good pressure, pushing us—hopefully easily—towards accomplishing a goal. How does this work? Imagine feeling overwhelmed by a school project. You could either a) allow yourself to be overwhelmed completely and collapse under pressure, or b) compartmentalize the project out to a manageable level and complete a worthy submission. Nearly everyone has experienced a similar situation--to one result or the other.
I’m a firm believer in the mentality that if we are experiencing stress about something, it means we care. Whether this care is worthwhile and spent towards something meaningful may be a different question. Stressing about a big exam may be worthwhile because we care about something important; likewise, worrying about a baseball game may not be as crucial. It comes down to priorities. Consider, in another context, we use stress for emphasis, i.e. “I can’t stress this enough…” Truly, then, a legitimate stress should be saved for something actually important.
Another important consideration is whether or not the object of our stress is within our control. I’ll be the first to admit, I have felt high amounts of anxiety watching a Tigers game. This is stupid because the game is far out of my control. Stressing about the aforementioned big exam may be valid, therefore, depending on the amount of proper studying. Preparing for the test allows you to exercise some amount of control over the situation.
How we respond to stress is just as important as how we react to the failure of giving into it. Suppose the thought of that exam was so mind-numbing to us that we gave in to the pressure and did not study. Rather than confront the stress, we failed to prepare for it, thus avoiding it altogether. Then, as expected, we failed the test. What then? After such a traumatic experience, it would be better to turn that stress into a learning experience and know how to react to it the next chance we get.
I don’t think the correct answer is to completely quell stress altogether. As I said, stress under the right situation can inspire us and lead us to some great things. Instead, we should use stress as a resource. To me, it is akin to the concept of working better under a deadline. And little stresses early in life can make a person better prepared to deal with bigger ones later on. As difficult as that may seem--and it is easier said than done--treating stress as a motivator rather than a deterrent can lead to a more enjoyable lifestyle.
Stress is a metaphorical two-way street. If we let it define us and affect us, it can be crushing and debilitating. At its worst, we are unable to focus on anything else until we alleviate some of the stress. But at the same time, we need a little pressure in our lives or we will begin to stagnate. A small amount of stress can be this good pressure, pushing us—hopefully easily—towards accomplishing a goal. How does this work? Imagine feeling overwhelmed by a school project. You could either a) allow yourself to be overwhelmed completely and collapse under pressure, or b) compartmentalize the project out to a manageable level and complete a worthy submission. Nearly everyone has experienced a similar situation--to one result or the other.
I’m a firm believer in the mentality that if we are experiencing stress about something, it means we care. Whether this care is worthwhile and spent towards something meaningful may be a different question. Stressing about a big exam may be worthwhile because we care about something important; likewise, worrying about a baseball game may not be as crucial. It comes down to priorities. Consider, in another context, we use stress for emphasis, i.e. “I can’t stress this enough…” Truly, then, a legitimate stress should be saved for something actually important.
Another important consideration is whether or not the object of our stress is within our control. I’ll be the first to admit, I have felt high amounts of anxiety watching a Tigers game. This is stupid because the game is far out of my control. Stressing about the aforementioned big exam may be valid, therefore, depending on the amount of proper studying. Preparing for the test allows you to exercise some amount of control over the situation.
How we respond to stress is just as important as how we react to the failure of giving into it. Suppose the thought of that exam was so mind-numbing to us that we gave in to the pressure and did not study. Rather than confront the stress, we failed to prepare for it, thus avoiding it altogether. Then, as expected, we failed the test. What then? After such a traumatic experience, it would be better to turn that stress into a learning experience and know how to react to it the next chance we get.
I don’t think the correct answer is to completely quell stress altogether. As I said, stress under the right situation can inspire us and lead us to some great things. Instead, we should use stress as a resource. To me, it is akin to the concept of working better under a deadline. And little stresses early in life can make a person better prepared to deal with bigger ones later on. As difficult as that may seem--and it is easier said than done--treating stress as a motivator rather than a deterrent can lead to a more enjoyable lifestyle.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Moving: A Weird Heat Companion
No one likes to move. I mean, the physical act of packing up all of your things so they can be safely transported to a new place, then unpacking it all in the right places, working with three different companies to figure out electricity, water, Internet, all while worrying if you chose the right space. That’s stressful. It’s why we so often ask for friends’ help doing it.
But the actual moving and settling process is a great one. It is a reset from one part of your life to a new one. A chance to start fresh with a new living space and make it your own. If nothing else, it is a nice change of scenery.
Metaphorically, moving to a new house or apartment can signal a change from one phase of life to the next. Even if the change is not drastic--you are still at the same school, still in the same relationship--you are a little older and more mature. For example, you may have not been able to cook in a previous apartment, but you taught yourself how in the following house. In short, you are a different person, regardless of any similarities. There are still pieces of yourself left behind, though. I cannot drive past one of my old houses or apartments without experiencing a flood of memories1. And trust me, I make it a point to drive past old haunts.
Like most college students, I moved once every ten months or so, all throughout undergraduate and grad school. And while I always hated unpacking at a new place knowing this was as clean as I would ever see it, I always looked forward to how I would use each area. Granted, after moving, I always told myself I never wanted to go through the process again, but there is an undeniable sense of relief in getting it all done.
Now that I have been at my current address for several years, my belongings have dispersed and settled and I have no interest in boxing it all up. I still have that excitement, however, in the prospect seeing how it would look in a different apartment.
Another nice part of moving is that it may force you to pare down on some unnecessary things. The longer we remain in one place, the more stuff we seem to accumulate. Rather than go through the trouble of boxing it all up and ship it somewhere new, moving allows us to shed some of that weight and trash it. In the end, we are (hopefully) left with the essentials. After a move, we have a new place to start collecting junk again.
For me, I can accomplish at least some of the moving sensation by simply rearranging furniture. This gives the same old area a chance to look fresh and new. Adding new furniture altogether can change the demeanor of a room as well. Even a quick once-over with a vacuum or picking up trash can give that new-place feel. But nothing short of packing up your things and turning in your keys can give that sense of a new phase in life.
But the actual moving and settling process is a great one. It is a reset from one part of your life to a new one. A chance to start fresh with a new living space and make it your own. If nothing else, it is a nice change of scenery.
Metaphorically, moving to a new house or apartment can signal a change from one phase of life to the next. Even if the change is not drastic--you are still at the same school, still in the same relationship--you are a little older and more mature. For example, you may have not been able to cook in a previous apartment, but you taught yourself how in the following house. In short, you are a different person, regardless of any similarities. There are still pieces of yourself left behind, though. I cannot drive past one of my old houses or apartments without experiencing a flood of memories1. And trust me, I make it a point to drive past old haunts.
Like most college students, I moved once every ten months or so, all throughout undergraduate and grad school. And while I always hated unpacking at a new place knowing this was as clean as I would ever see it, I always looked forward to how I would use each area. Granted, after moving, I always told myself I never wanted to go through the process again, but there is an undeniable sense of relief in getting it all done.
Now that I have been at my current address for several years, my belongings have dispersed and settled and I have no interest in boxing it all up. I still have that excitement, however, in the prospect seeing how it would look in a different apartment.
Another nice part of moving is that it may force you to pare down on some unnecessary things. The longer we remain in one place, the more stuff we seem to accumulate. Rather than go through the trouble of boxing it all up and ship it somewhere new, moving allows us to shed some of that weight and trash it. In the end, we are (hopefully) left with the essentials. After a move, we have a new place to start collecting junk again.
For me, I can accomplish at least some of the moving sensation by simply rearranging furniture. This gives the same old area a chance to look fresh and new. Adding new furniture altogether can change the demeanor of a room as well. Even a quick once-over with a vacuum or picking up trash can give that new-place feel. But nothing short of packing up your things and turning in your keys can give that sense of a new phase in life.
1 In fact, my friends and former roommates have a theory that you must go through at least one cycle at another living place before the really great memories start coming back. Something about nostalgia, I’m sure.↩
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