Ironic Procrastination

I always find it bizarre how doing something you love can become a tedious task the moment you place a deadline or specific requirement on it. I know I'm not alone in this either, I've spoken to many a graphic designer/writer/actor/artist/student/musician (etc etc etc) who has the same problem and is equally perplexed by this weird phenomenon. I'm going to call it Ironic  Procrastination.   

Somehow, if you really really NEED to do that thing you love - take practicing guitar for example - even if you are absolutely passionate about playing that guitar, suddenly almost everything other than your rehearsal needs to be done IMMEDIATELY. The most ironic part is your procrastination activities are highly likely to include things you usually avoid and don't like doing - often things of the cleaning variety. You spot a line of grime under the fridge you had never noticed before and absolutely must clean it straight away. That spring clean you were planning including dusting and wiping EVERY surface in your humble abode just can't go another minute without being done, twice even. That basket of ironing, including clothes you may well never wear again can't wait another second and that pair of boots you need to re-polish are just beckoning for attention. Now I really can't stand cleaning but it always seems so critical when I have something else to do that actually is urgent.

Why do you think this is? Fear of actually achieving something? Concern that once you finalise that masterpiece you'll realise it's actually crap? A phobia of running out of things to do? Or some weird reverse form of laziness? I have no idea and have never been able to explain how this strange psychological block works.

Ironic Procrastination does however come into how Yesterday's Pistacchio was conceived. My first attempt (Bring on the Minja) -  was born out of boredom and procrastination, written entirely for the entertainment of the strapping Englishman mentioned in the blog. He requested a sequel and I ended up churning out a few articles when I was meant  to be doing a long list of something or other else. My biggest fans (Mum & Dad) who love everything I do (because parents have to) decided my work was brilliant and should be published... so to appease them I started up Yesterday's Pistacchio. On that topic, if you're curious about the name, Yesterday's Pistacchio was the love child of a bottle of red wine. Whilst setting up the page, giggling away, red wine in hand, my housemate told me if I was going to have a blog I had to have regular days and times I posted. I'm telling you right now that is NOT going to happen. For the reasons mentioned above. As soon as I give myself a deadline it won't happen and instead my flat will be clean but nothing else will get done and Yesterday's Pistacchio will die a quick but painless death.

So if you happen to be a devoted reader who is not related to me - thanks for checking in and feel free to leave comments or requests on topics... just don't expect a regular time for me to post!  AND if you happen to have any particular insights into why Ironic Procrastination occurs or for that matter a magical cure for it please let me know!

Ciao,

Tash