Positive Procrastination

In my years of life, I have had my fair share of procrastinating peace…

I have put off peace until I

Took the test

Made the grade

Felt confident

Liked how I looked

“Recovered”

Knew how the situation would pan out

Was able to control everything

You get the gist….

There was a time of my life during my tween years where I was an incredibly anxious person. I felt weighed down by a variety of worries, whether that be related to my eating and exercise habits, my grades, or a whole host of other irrational thoughts and fears.

But, by the grace of God, I was able to navigate through that tough time of life and make it to other side. One day I looked back and saw so much progress. It wasn’t an overnight fix or some radical transformation that happened in an instant.

It happened gradually.

One day,

The girl who wrote down everything she ate and exercised in a journal decided to skip a day.

The girl who looked to other people to tell her when enough was enough decided she could make that call herself.

The girl who didn’t think she could ever not be shy started opening up.

The girl who wanted no hair out of place learned that some hairstyles look better with a few hairs loose.

The girl who checked her work a million times over decided she could trust that her best work was sufficient.

The list could go on.

Of course, after making all these strides, I still battled anxiety in some ways but to a much less extent than before.

But it all started with a decision to go against the grain of worry.

Some psychologists will tell you that you can get rid of worry by giving no energy to your anxious thoughts or by interrupting the cycle of negative thinking though mindfulness, staying present, and diverting your attention to other things.

As a young girl, I actually remember the first time I “put off” worrying. I was blow-drying my hair when a wave of anxiety hit. I remember intentionally choosing to continue my task instead of letting whatever worry had come up send me into a spiral.

If love is patient, and the Bible tells us we should be slow to anger, then surely my worries can wait.

Surely, when anxiety comes my way I can release it to God and ask Him to reform my thoughts + give them back reformed and remade according to His better vision, or not give them back at all.

So, this week I come to you with a list of ideas regarding how you can put off worrying.

Before you spend time worrying…

• Pray

• Write out your prayers

• Read the Word, even if it’s just a verse

• Plan what you will read in the Bible this week

• Watch the Bible Project videos & write down what you learn

• Straighten up your room

• Put on a face mask

• Listen to a podcast

• Wash the dishes

• Vacuum

• Do a craft

• Learn a new braid

• Do your makeup

• Read a book

• Stretch

• Call a friend

• Schedule a hangout with a friend

• Nick a small task off your to-do list

• Unsubscribe from a pesky email list

• Send someone an encouraging message

• Ask someone for a prayer request

• Journal

• Write down some journal prompts for the future

• Surf pinterest for inspiring quotes

• Organize your photos

• Write down what your grateful for

• Do a guided meditation

• Answer any texts or emails you’ve been putting off

• Make a to-do list

• Paint your nails

• Schedule appointments- haircut, dentist, etc.

• Wash and detail your car

• Take the trash out

• Pick out your outfit for tomorrow

• Write a letter to someone

• Drink some water

• Find a new recipe

• Start a scrapbook

• Go outside and look at the sky

• Play with your pets

• Go on a slow walk and notice the nature around you

• Plan your next workout

• Listen to a podcast

• Listen to music

• Make a new playlist

• Take pictures

• Do some laundry

• Iron your clothes

• Watch a movie

• Start a new TV series

• Take a bath

• Organize a drawer

• Go to the library

• Go check out a store

• Write out your goals

• Write out your dreams

• Update your resume

• Download some podcasts for later

• Organize your backpack

• Update the wallpaper on your devices

• Look through the cards you have received throughout the years from your loved ones

• Write a letter to your future self

• Get your hair colored

• Rearrange your furniture and personal space

• Clean out your closet

• Give your pet a bath

• Help a friend or a family member with their work

• Do a puzzle

• Play a card game

• Color

• Paint

• Play tennis

• Go swimming

• Post on social media

• Learn a language

• Make a tiktok

• Play computer games

• Start a collection

• Go roller skating

• Learn a magic trick

• Play a sport

• Attend a sporting event

• Take a few moments to sit in silence and breathe

• Wash your mirrors

• Recreate a makeup look

• Play volleyball

• Watch a YouTube video of choice

• Try yoga

• Research your top 5 travel destinations and plan your dream trips

• Make a vision board

• Make a grocery list

• Start book tabbing by marking important things about the characters, the world, & favorite quotes or scenes

• Go window shopping

• Manage your finances

• Make a bucket list

• Try a new workout

• Sell old clothing

• Create a wishlist

• Plan your dream house

• Clean out the fridge

• Nap

• Attend a free local event

• Organize apps on your phone

• Send a friend a funny tiktok

• Research something you’ve been wanting to learn about

• Clean out makeup

• Clean makeup brushes

• Wipe down counters

• Unfollow accounts you don’t like anymore

• Go buy flowers and put them in your home

• Learn about a different culture

• Start a garden

• Go to the zoo

• Invite someone to church

• Self tan

• Visit a museum

• Set up your workspace for a productive study session- complete with pens, devices, water, candle, etc.

• Discuss a movie with a friend

• Complete focused study session

• Call your parents

• Try a no caffeine day

• Learn a dance

• Cry if you need to

• Ride the emotion wave

• Call someone close to you and tell them about your situation. Let other people be your sound mind at times

• Be honest with those closest to you

• Make a prayer board

• Do a hair mask

• Write down all the prayers you remember God answering

• Read the Bible out loud to yourself

• Make peace with silence and the imperfection of the present moment

• Plan a group study session to be held in person or over the phone

• Have a “no worry” day

• Go through old yearbooks

• Put laundry away

• Schedule a time where you can journal, pray, and discuss your worry if necessary. Let it be a time where you can think clearly & not make rash decisions.

If I can add nothing to my life by worrying, then surely my time and energy can better be invested into something else.

Thoughts this Week

When I hear or think of a positive thought or message, I will jot it down in my notes. Here are some things I have taken note of recently:

• Go back to the God you knew at the beginning of your salvation- the God who made you believe you were bulletproof.

• When psychology and science fail you, you’ll be happy you made Christ your firm foundation.

• Don’t compare yourself to others or wish to be them. You can’t have someone's strengths. without also taking on their weaknesses- which you may know nothing about.

• You don’t have to be at your lowest to pursue healing.

• People who have sustained success got there by having a good mindset even in life’s valleys.

• Their normal doesn’t have to be your normal.

• If you want to live a better life but are overwhelmed, consider what slight changes you could make in your life. Even small shifts can yield great results.

• Excess reasoning leads to double-mindedness.

• Make your faith the most important thing about you.

• Don't fear mistakes- trust that in the face of failure you have what it takes to make necessary changes.

• Fear loses its power when you are only looking to serve God, and He is filled with grace and lovingkindness.

• Acknowledge your weakness and thank God for the permission to throw off everything that hinders you.

This week I challenge you and myself to see how long you can procrastinate worrying. Use the ideas in the list found herein or come up with your own!

Keep in mind this is not the same thing as putting off your responsibilities or not facing your fears- it’s simply breaking the cycle of overthinking and using your amazing brain for something far more productive than fear. I believe you know the difference.

With love,

Bai 💝💝😊😊