Conquering Procrastination: Home Projects and Beyond

As April 14th draws near, many of us find ourselves facing the annual task of filing taxes. But beyond this pressing obligation, we often have a myriad of home projects that we keep postponing, much to our frustration. This article explores some of these common yet daunting tasks, from ambitious tech projects to more practical home improvement endeavors. By understanding the psychology behind procrastination and finding strategies to overcome it, you can finally make impressive progress on these projects.

A Technical Challenge: Interactive 3D Animation

One of the more complex projects I’ve been putting off is an ambitious 3D animation. My goal is to create a web app using WebGL, ThreeJS, and Svelte. This project aims to demonstrate a mathematical principle by allowing users to make interactive choices in lighting materials. Originally, I thought it would take only a couple of days, but the project quickly spiraled.

Delving into the intricacies of WebGL and exploring other features led to a series of decisions and redecisions. Should I use Vue or Svelte? Was a server necessary for loading elements as glTF files? The final result would be so much better if I spent more time on it, but misguided perfectionism has me stuck in this cycle of wanting to do it right and constantly starting over.

Planning for the Future: Estate Planning

While technical projects may be challenging, they are nothing compared to the daunting task of estate planning. Given that we own property, my husband and I did meet with an attorney to discuss setting up a trust. However, the thought of discussing death is too much for my husband, leading to persistent procrastination. It’s a crucial step, but the emotional barrier is hard to overcome.

Personal Improvement: Clearing the Clutter

Many of the projects I often put off are more mundane household chores. However, they are no less important. For instance, planning to install paneling in the garage requires clearing out the junk and organizing the tools. This process is tedious and time-consuming, yet it’s necessary for any meaningful progress.

Aside from these physical tasks, I’ve also been struggling with mental health issues. Depression and job burnout have made it difficult to tackle even simple organization tasks. However, the act of cleaning, especially deep cleaning like mopping the walls, has a therapeutic effect. Tools like Swiffer dusters and floor cleaners have been invaluable in making these tasks more manageable.

Personal Growth and New Goals

Now that I have a new job and a new schedule, the time is right to take on these tasks. Helping me to accomplish this are the people who support me. Having others to assist not only makes the work more enjoyable but also less daunting. Each task, whether it’s painting the house or building a patio, is another step towards a decluttered, well-organized home.

Furthermore, the seasonal changes bring with them renewed motivation. The idea of a fresh start with the change of weather is appealing, and the opportunity to revamp my living space seems like a perfect match to a new chapter in my life.