How do you force yourself to do things, even when your brain won't let you?

Do you ever push off work until the absolute last second, even though its eating you up inside?

If so, hey! No shame. I do the same exact thing. Right now I have 2 essays due soon that I've barely cracked, a blog post to write (this), fees to pay, assignments to chip away at, a monologue to memorize, people to email, an event to organize and I've spent most of my free time... reading books and webcomics.

I feel this overwhelming sense of shame when I can't make myself work, but at the same time, I can't make myself even open the tab to things that stress me out sometimes. It takes a lot not to just flip the tab to something that's "safe" and not something that will cause unreal amounts of anxiety in me.

That's not a real solution to the issue, though. Pushing something out of sight for another day doesn't make it disappear, and it certainly doesn't abate the shame, embarrassment, and stress of not taking care of your responsibilities, especially if they look easy on paper. Mental blocks can be so, so difficult to overcome. You have to muster it up and force yourself to take action. But how?

I've compiled a list here of things that help me, personally, be productive. My hope is that it helps someone out there know that being 'stuck' on tasks that should be easy or not being able to work even though you desperately want to is okay, and there are ways to push through it.

1: Make a to-do list.

Seeing all of your responsibilities laid out in simple text can make everything seem a lot less intimidating. When I was younger, I would mostly write to-do lists with sticky notes for each week or write it in a planner, but nowadays I use Notion to make them.

Here's an example of how I format it. I like Notion for how easy it is to use- plus it's so satisfying to scroll through all my completed tasks at the end of the week and then delete them all. You might also notice there's a "far off upcoming" section- for me, it's helpful to see what all isn't an immediate worry, but is something I should keep in mind. Using to-do lists helps prevent everything from becoming an amorphous blob that haunts me and changes shape each time I look at it- instead, its a manageable list.

2: Break it into smaller pieces.

Everyone says it, but it is true- big chunks of responsibility is terrifying. Breaking it down into smaller tasks can help you chip away at it instead of being scared off and avoiding it forever. Remember: some work done is better than no work done. It can also help with making the task less anxiety inducing if you can see everything that you have to do in one spot.

3: If you can't work on the big stuff, work on the small stuff instead.

Every piece of advice will tell you the same thing: prioritize! Work on the immediate threats first, then sweat the easier, smaller stuff. However, when you are paralyzed by your own brain to the point where you cannot make yourself do the big stuff, it is often the better choice to do something rather than nothing. It should be noted that this is a last resort type thing. You should try and write your big, important essay first, but if it's between staring at an empty google doc contemplating life or doing some easy extra credit, do the extra credit! Oftentimes, chipping away at your responsibilities can make them less daunting while refreshing you and letting you unwind. It's comforting to feel at least a little productive, even when being a hyper efficient part man, part machine is unattainable.

4: Make sure you are taking care of your physical needs.

On a very genuine level, lack of sleep, poor hydration, hunger, and even not going outside enough can magnify basically any issue you're experiencing. Make sure all of your needs are tended to. For me, taking a shower really helps wake me up and clear my mind.

5: Have someone else hold you accountable.

No one wants to embarrass themselves in front of other people. Sometimes, it's good to weaponize that! You can ask your friends to do a study call on Discord with you, eat at a cafe while you work, or work silently in the same room. It's good to have someone to hold you accountable so that you can't just mess around and avoid it. Just make sure to choose the right people- some people are not great for this purpose.

I've only really started using this method this school year, but I've found it to be really helpful to confront whatever I'm terrified of, even if it is as simple as an email I don't want to check or an assignment I don't want to do. There's something about sitting across from someone who is diligently doing work that makes you want to lock in and accomplish something.

That's all for this post. I hope at least some of these tips were helpful! Practically all of them I had to struggle to learn and internalize, so I would love if that burden is eased for someone else. Learning how to manage the hardships you experience is possible; it gets better.

Want to follow me?

Check out my tumblr here where I crosspost everything!