From Courage to Change of Jul 02:
Al-Anon helps many of us to identify and change self-destructive behavior. In my case, procrastination was the source of a great deal of needless anxiety, but with Al-Anon’s help I have managed to recognize and change that pattern.
As I learned to focus on myself, I began to pay attention to my own thoughts and feelings. When I felt anxious, I took the time to find out what was causing my discomfort. I realized that I had a habit of postponing unpleasant tasks until the last possible moment. knowing I would have to perform the task eventually, I found it hard to relax until it was done. I came to see that if I took care of the task right away, I could usually let go of anxiety and appreciate the rest of the day. Old habits can be hard to break. It didn’t happen overnight, but as I became more willing to let of procrastination, my life became more manageable and more enjoyable.
Today’s Reminder
If I am getting in the way of my own best interests, a closer look at my behavior can lead to positive changes. By focusing on myself, I move toward freedom and serenity today.
“Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.” ~ Liberian proverb
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Procrastination used to be my quiet tormentor. It didn’t shout or storm—it just hovered, a low hum of anxiety in the background of my days. I’d put something off—a phone call, a piece of paperwork, a conversation I didn’t want to have—and then feel that weight settle into my chest like a stone. I thought I was buying myself peace by avoiding the uncomfortable. In truth, I was leasing a longer discomfort with compound interest.
Al-Anon has taught me that focusing on me—not on the chaos around me, not on the behavior of others—is the key to change. When I turned that focus inward, I noticed the pattern. The stress wasn’t just about the task itself; it was about knowing it was there and trying to pretend it wasn’t. That tension ruled more of my day than I realized.
Little by little, I began to try something different. I asked myself: What would happen if I just did it now? And sometimes, the answer was: nothing dramatic. No perfection required. No magical fix. Just one less thing weighing me down.
That shift—doing things sooner rather than later—not only eased the task itself, but freed up my emotional energy. I started to feel lighter, clearer, less tangled up. I realized that avoidance was a way I had tried to protect myself from discomfort, but it was also a way I robbed myself of serenity.
Recovery doesn’t mean I never fall back into old habits. But now I recognize them faster. And with awareness comes choice. I don’t have to let fear or resistance run the show. I can choose action, even imperfect action, and with it comes peace. I seek to honor the part of me that wants life to feel manageable and calm. I give that part space by facing what’s in front of me—gently, directly, one thing at a time.
Daily Reprieve 
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