Holistic Spiritual Coaching

Picture this: You’ve set aside the perfect afternoon to work on a project close to your heart. The house is quiet, your favourite tea is steeping, and the afternoon stretches out before you.

But instead of diving in, you find yourself scrolling on your phone, rearranging your desk, or suddenly deciding that the kitchen really needs cleaning.

Hours pass, and the project remains untouched. A wave of guilt washes over you as you think,

“Why do I keep doing this? What’s wrong with me?”

If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Procrastination is a universal experience, but for highly sensitive women with big dreams, it can feel particularly frustrating and heavy.

Let’s explore what’s really going on beneath the surface—and how you can gently guide yourself out of the procrastination spiral.

Why do we procrastinate?

Procrastination isn’t about being lazy or disorganized—it’s often an emotional coping mechanism. Here’s what might be driving it:

Fear of failure (or success!)

Are you worried about falling short—or even nervous about what happens if you actually succeed?

I was utterly surprised when I realised how much more fear I held about success, because it makes me visible. And there was nothing more scary than that, as it brings along vulnerability and also the fear of being judged.

So it’s a bit like your mind is playing tug-of-war between “What if I’m not good enough?” and “What if I can’t handle success and all that comes with it?”

These fears can make it feel easier to procrastinate and avoid the risk altogether. Failure might feel like confirmation of your doubts, while success can seem like a lot of pressure to be perfect.

No wonder your survival brain pipes up and says, “Let’s just stay in the comfort zone!”

Perfectionism

You most likely have a strong attention to detail and high standards, which can be amazing strengths.

However, any strength overdone can become a limitation, which is paramount true in this case. These high standards can feel like an impossible mountain to climb, creating a sense of paralysis.

You might find yourself thinking, “If I can’t do it perfectly, why bother starting?”

Instead of making progress, you end up spinning your wheels, overthinking every step and waiting for the “perfect” moment—which never quite seems to come.

Overwhelm

Dreams can at times feel downright intimidating, especially when you’re already balancing the chaos of daily life, family, and work.

It’s like standing at the foot of a mountain and thinking, “How on earth am I supposed to climb that?”

Instead of taking the first step, you might find yourself stuck in a loop of thoughts like, “I’ll start when things calm down,” or “I just don’t have the energy right now.”

The result? The mountain feels even bigger, and the dream keeps waiting on the back burner.

Negative self-talk

That inner critic loves to chime in at the worst moments, whispering (or shouting),

“You’re not good enough,” or “Who do you think you are to even try this?”

It’s like having a grumpy backseat driver on your life’s journey, constantly pointing out what could go wrong or why you’re not good enough.

These thoughts don’t just drain your motivation—they make the task ahead seem like mission impossible.

And when the inner dialogue keeps repeating, “Why bother? You’ll probably mess it up anyway,” it’s no wonder procrastination feels like the safer option.

Emotional drain

When you’re someone who deeply feels and absorbs the emotions of those around you, it can feel like carrying an invisible weight on your shoulders.

This emotional load doesn’t just leave you feeling tired—it can drain the mental clarity and energy you need to take action on your own priorities.

Thoughts like, “I should help them first,” or “I’ll get to my stuff once everyone else is okay,” might run on repeat, keeping you stuck in a cycle of putting others ahead of yourself and delaying your dreams.

Gentle tips to break free from procrastination

The key to overcoming procrastination isn’t forcing yourself to push through. That would be just another way to supress your emotions and basically gaslight yourself.

The point is to understand and address the emotions and beliefs holding you back. Here are a few simple, practical steps to help:

Meet yourself with compassion

Instead of beating yourself up for procrastinating, try to approach yourself with kindness and compassion.

Say to yourself, “It’s okay to feel this way. I’ll take it one step at a time.”

Recognize that procrastination often comes from a place of fear or overwhelm, not laziness—it’s your mind’s way of trying to protect you, even if it’s counterproductive.

Remind yourself that every moment is an opportunity to start fresh, no matter how small the step may seem.

💖 Try This: Place your hand on your heart and take a few deep breaths.

Repeat this affirmation: “I am doing my best, and that’s enough. I can take one small step forward.”

Then ask yourself, “What’s one tiny action I can take right now to ease this burden?”

Start small and easy

When a task feels overwhelming, it’s easy to freeze up and avoid it altogether. But tackling it in bite-sized pieces can make it feel less intimidating.

By focusing on one small, manageable action, you shift your energy from avoidance to progress, and even tiny wins can build momentum and confidence.

💖 Try This: If you’re procrastinating on writing an email, for example, commit to writing just one sentence or jotting down a rough idea.

If it’s cleaning, aim to organize one corner of a room or one shelf.

Starting is often the hardest part, as your survival brain is creating resistance. However, once you take that first step, you’ll likely find it easier to keep going.

Plus, giving yourself permission to start small takes the pressure off, making the process feel lighter and more achievable.

Reframe your inner critic

Your inner critic, or inner bully can be pretty loud, especially when you’re stepping outside your comfort zone.

But here’s the thing: that critical voice isn’t the truth—it’s simply a deeply ingrained habit.

And the great news is that you can retrain it!

By questioning and reframing those negative thoughts, you can change the narrative and create space for self-compassion and growth.

💖 Try This: If you catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’ll never make it,” pause and question it.

Ask, “Is this though coming from fear or love?“

If the answer is fear then ask: “What would love say in this situation?”

And remember: progress over perfection. You don’t have to be perfect to make progress. Every small step you take is valuable and gets you closer to where you want to be.

Create a Supportive Environment

Your surroundings have a big impact on your motivation and mindset.

When your space feels cluttered or full of distractions, it’s easy to lose focus.

On the flip side, when your environment reflects your dreams and goals, it can inspire action and keep you connected to your purpose.

💖 Try This: Keep a visual reminder of your “why” nearby—a photo, quote, or vision board that sparks your excitement and reminds you why your dream matters to you.

Pair this with small touches that make you feel good in your space, like a candle, a favourite playlist, or even a cosy chair. Make your environment a reflection of the energy you want to create!

From fear to love

Procrastination isn’t about laziness—it’s often rooted in fear. Fear of failing, fear of success, fear of not being good enough, fear of being seen and judged, fear of vulnerability, or fear of the unknown can all cause us to hesitate.

But the antidote to fear is love: love for yourself, love for your dreams, love for that divine spark within, love of life and love for the journey.

By approaching yourself with compassion, breaking tasks into simple, small steps, and transforming your inner dialogue from inner bully to inner friend, you can shift from stuck to steady progress.

Remember, if you’d like to be happy stop trying to be perfect!

You’re an ever evolving work of art so keep moving forward with courage, love and care. Each small, heartful step takes you closer to the authentic, fulfilling life you’re meant to live.

You’ve got this! 💖