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Procrastination In IFS

Procrastination is often dealt with in other therapies as a bad part of us that affects our relationships and stalls our career progression. In IFS, procrastination is a part of us that causes us to remain in suspended states for prolonged periods. We ask the part about its intention for remaining in this suspended or collapsed state. Parts may respond in many different ways, but they may be reacting to the constant criticising by the internal critic, they may be reacting to the shaming of our inner judge, and they may be reacting to those vulnerable feelings that got triggered- those feelings of being insignificant or unlovable. Procrastinators are often parts that go into suspended states to give us a break from the inner chaos. They may extend our break times, they may distract us with Netflix, YouTube and social media.

Procrastinators might even bring us relief from parts that constantly push us to do more, parts that are constantly working hard to please others, to be perfect, to strive and so on. Procrastinators are like teenagers who resist their pushy parents and use ways to bring us peace and break but over time, take over more and more space in our system. In IFS, these are firefighter parts in us that douse the emotional flames in us, so by entering us into zoned-out spaces, nothingness, stillness and procrastination, they make us feel comforted. Comfort eaters are close allies of Procrastinators.

In IFS, we work with all parts that have a relationship with the procrastinator and the internal dynamics are gradually understood and the roles of each part are not condemned or shamed. The therapist will help clients access the Self-energy that can connect with these parts and appreciate what they do is good for the system.