We all put things off. Sometimes, it’s because we’re overwhelmed. Other times, it’s because we don’t have a solid routine. But what about the times when we could get something done—we just don’t want to deal with it?

Avoidance Disguised as Procrastination

We like to call it procrastination, but often, what we’re really doing is avoiding something uncomfortable:

• A difficult conversation

• A decision we don’t want to make

• A task that reminds us of something painful

• Paperwork that forces us to face reality (hello, legal documents and overdue bills)

It’s easier to put things off than to sit with discomfort. But that discomfort doesn’t go away. It lingers in the background, weighing on us, until we finally have to face it.

What Happens When We Keep Avoiding?

The problem with delaying tough tasks isn’t just that they don’t get done—it’s that they take up mental space. Even when we’re doing other things, we know that unfinished task is lurking, waiting for us.

And the longer we wait? The bigger it seems.

How to Stop Avoiding What Needs to Be Done

If something on your list keeps getting pushed aside, ask yourself:

1. Am I avoiding this because it’s complicated, or because I just don’t want to deal with it?

2. What’s the worst part of doing it? (Is it the conversation? The decision? The emotional weight?)

3. Would getting it done feel better than dragging it out?

Most of the time, we spend more energy avoiding something than it actually takes to deal with it.

Facing the Hard Stuff—In Life & Business

Whether it’s handling a personal issue or managing important paperwork (like notarizing estate documents, setting up a power of attorney, or finalizing legal agreements), avoiding it doesn’t make it go away.

In my notary work, I often see clients who have put off essential paperwork because it’s tied to hard realities—aging parents, life changes, financial planning. But once they take care of it, they almost always feel relieved. The weight lifts.

What’s One Thing You’ve Been Avoiding?

If there’s something sitting on your to-do list that you just don’t want to deal with, maybe today is the day to take one small step toward handling it. Not because you have to—but because you’ll feel lighter when it’s done.