Procrastination Disorder Is a False Concept

“Procrastination disorder” is a bogus concept.

There are hundreds or thousands of reasons why someone might not finish something at the expected pace. If you put off everything, that indicates low vitality, and depression should be checked for; more often, it is simply a lack of rest. If you put off only a particular kind of thing, you need to look at the external people and circumstances, and the internal psychological factors, behind that category: defense mechanisms such as resistance, fear, avoidance, denial, and so on.

Procrastination is a “symptom,” not a “disorder.” There is no illness called “procrastination disorder.” —Doctor, I don’t feel well. —You have an illness called “not feeling well.” Procrastination is mental discomfort, a starting point for analysis. Discussing symptoms and the deeper factors behind them is a matter of self-care. But labeling oneself a “procrastination disorder patient” often amounts to the ego’s greed, aversion, and delusion, together with a harsh superego, attacking, exploiting, and instrumentalizing a weakened self.

The popularity of this topic stems from the “symptom” of procrastination common among young East Asians in their twenties—students and white-collar workers. Ages 20–30 are already a period of dramatic changes in one’s worldview, outlook on life, and values; circumstances; goals; social circle; and career plans. Add to this the conditions common in East Asia—involution, psychological manipulation, utilitarianism, objectification, malignant narcissism, lack of differentiation, empty-heart syndrome, and unresolved trauma—and people become even more lost.

From this perspective, we are back to the topic of my earlier piece, “Age 35 Is a Turning Point.” Becoming independent at 35 means reaching maturity in one’s worldview, outlook on life, and values; simplifying one’s goals to the essentials; healing various psychological issues; getting the five elements of life on track; and so on.

When it comes to specific issues in study and work, the problems are often ones of mechanics: insufficient attraction (deep connection, identification, value, feedback, return on investment, a sense of self-efficacy, and so on), strong resistance (internal and external drains), strong repulsion (mental and physical resistance), or simply insufficient vitality and a need for rest.