[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":546},["ShallowReactive",2],{"cms:/api/categories?fields[0]=name&fields[1]=slug&pagination[pageSize]=100&sort=documentId":3,"cms:/api/authors?populate=*&filters[slug]=dimitra":45,"cms:/api/homepage?fields[0]=updatedAt&populate[navigation][fields][0]=name&populate[navigation][fields][1]=slug":84,"cms:/api/articles?populate=*&filters[author][id]=2&pagination[limit]=9&pagination[start]=108&sort[0]=bylineDate:DESC&sort[1]=createdAt:DESC":89},{"data":4,"meta":40},[5,10,15,20,25,30,35],{"id":6,"documentId":7,"name":8,"slug":9},8,"agm3bwiivq9ytkopje139uoj","Voices","voices",{"id":11,"documentId":12,"name":13,"slug":14},6,"fxhrufaspnwq0yurrk98sas3","Wellness","wellness",{"id":16,"documentId":17,"name":18,"slug":19},14,"gj8d0n6sxxe1mqfb0ticcamv","Style","style",{"id":21,"documentId":22,"name":23,"slug":24},12,"pra84h71qx5yo2kq8g18uy9h","After Hours","after-hours",{"id":26,"documentId":27,"name":28,"slug":29},2,"pregl64gjxpa6tec7l94j5fb","Career & Finance","career-and-finance",{"id":31,"documentId":32,"name":33,"slug":34},10,"vf2luiz1aic436stak4yr339","Nourish","food",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39},4,"y4wuht99krufymt1c62zqtk1","Mindset","mindset",{"pagination":41},{"page":42,"pageSize":43,"pageCount":42,"total":44},1,100,7,{"data":46,"meta":81},[47],{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":57,"avatarImg":77},"rrgw04x1ox461oib75ljto7k","Dimitra","dimitra","https://www.instagram.com/dimdimi/","https://www.facebook.com/dimitra.lioliou.9","She started in corporate, stepped out to build her own businesses, and along the way learned five foreign languages. With a background in Sociology, her focus remains squarely on human behavior, the true engine behind every business, cultural trend, and daily decision. Today, she splits her time between Europe and the US, writing about work, culture, and the subtle mechanics of modern life. If you ask her about languages, consider yourself warned: she will not stop talking.","https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitra-lioliou/","2026-09-06T10:31:18.888Z","2026-09-06T10:31:18.911Z",{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":64,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},"vho74tz85ywt8uvcc2i46n8j","Dimitra Lioliou-490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png","dimitra lioliou profile pic","dimitra lioliou the working gal",null,250,{"thumbnail":65},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},".png","https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png","1af5fda28d3e7890e8a99c385239de61","thumbnail_Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5","image/png","thumbnail_Dimitra Lioliou-490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png",47.39,156,47387,"Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5",28.15,"https://assets.workingal.com/Dimitra_Lioliou_490b9ae7a31e67cbe83f6cbd018b514572b484c2a12096c4257fcc93fbbdacd5.png","@strapi/provider-upload-aws-s3","2026-09-06T10:31:18.786Z","2026-09-06T10:31:18.787Z",{"pagination":82},{"page":42,"pageSize":83,"pageCount":42,"total":42},25,{"data":85,"meta":88},{"id":42,"documentId":86,"updatedAt":87},"nhhccnp3ibbyv1cn1er78o9h","2026-09-06T10:40:24.841Z",{},{"data":90,"meta":541},[91,161,217,273,328,382,434,488],{"id":92,"documentId":93,"title":94,"content":95,"slug":96,"coffees":26,"seo_title":94,"keywords":97,"seo_desc":98,"bylineDate":99,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":101,"updatedAt":102,"publishedAt":103,"featuredImage":104,"category":154,"author":157,"img":152},46,"nowg4aogh095yytes8191fph","Why Is Simone de Beauvoir Inspirational? The Feminist Who Changed How We Think About Women","Have you ever stopped to question why society treats women differently than men? Why are certain behaviors considered \"feminine\" while others are \"masculine\"? We have one brilliant French philosopher to thank for sparking that conversation: Simone de Beauvoir.\n\nIf you've never heard of her, you're about to discover the woman who fundamentally changed how we understand gender, feminism, and what it means to be a woman in the modern world. Her revolutionary ideas from the 1940s still shape conversations about equality, identity, and women's rights today.\n\n## Who Was Simone de Beauvoir?\n\nSimone Lucie Ernestine Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, writer, political activist, feminist, and social theorist who lived from 1908 to 1986\\. Born in Paris to a middle-class family, she was a deeply religious child who initially dreamed of becoming a nun. But at age 14, she experienced a profound crisis of faith and became an atheist—a transformation that would spark her lifelong exploration of existentialism and what it truly means to be human.\n\nHere's what makes her story remarkable: at just 21 years old, Beauvoir became the youngest person ever to pass the *agrégation*, France's notoriously difficult teaching certification exam. She placed second—right behind Jean-Paul Sartre, who would become her lifelong partner (though they never married and maintained an unconventional open relationship that scandalized their generation).\n\nBut Beauvoir was far more than just Sartre's companion. She was a formidable intellectual force in her own right, whose ideas would ultimately prove just as influential—if not more so—than his.\n\n## Why Is Simone de Beauvoir Inspirational?\n\n### She Invented the Concept That Gender Is Socially Constructed\n\nBeauvoir's most groundbreaking contribution came in 1949 when she published The Second Sex (*Le Deuxième Sexe*). This wasn't just a book—it was an intellectual earthquake that fundamentally changed how we think about gender.\n\nHer most famous line? \"One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman\" (*\"On ne naît pas femme, on le devient\"*).\n\nThink about that for a moment. What Beauvoir was saying—decades before it became mainstream thinking—is that femininity isn't biological destiny. It's something society teaches us, shapes in us, and often forces upon us. She articulated what scholars now call the sex-gender distinction: the difference between biological sex and the socially constructed roles and stereotypes we call gender.\n\nThis single idea became the foundation of [modern feminism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-we-need-feminism) and gender studies. Every conversation we have today about gender roles, stereotypes, and equality traces back to this revolutionary insight.\n\n### She Challenged the Patriarchy When It Was Dangerous to Do So\n\nWriting The Second Sex in 1949, France was no small act of courage. The book was immediately condemned by the Catholic Church and added to the Vatican's Index of Prohibited Books. Critics were outraged. Men threw the book across rooms. People mocked Beauvoir in restaurants. Albert Camus reportedly reacted with \"typical Mediterranean machismo,\" furious that she had \"ridiculed the French male.\"\n\nWhy? Because Beauvoir dared to speak openly about female sexuality, women's oppression, and the systematic ways society kept women subordinate. She wasn't polite about it. She was direct, scholarly, and uncompromising.\n\nBut here's what's inspiring: she didn't back down. She continued writing, speaking, and fighting for women's rights for the rest of her life.\n\n### She Demonstrated That Women Are Complete Human Beings\n\nAt the heart of Beauvoir's work is a powerful argument: women have been defined as \"the Other\"—as secondary, incomplete, and existing only in relation to men.\n\nShe pointed out that Aristotle described women as \"female by virtue of a certain lack of qualities.\" Thomas Aquinas called women \"imperfect men\" and \"incidental\" beings. Throughout history, as Beauvoir wrote, \"Humanity is male, and man defines woman, not in herself but in relation to himself.\"\n\nBut Beauvoir's philosophy was ultimately hopeful. She asserted that women are as capable of choice as men. Women can choose to elevate themselves, moving beyond passive acceptance (what existentialists call \"immanence\") to active self-creation and responsibility (what they call \"transcendence\"). In other words: you don't have to accept the limiting definitions society places on you. You can create your own meaning, your own purpose, your own identity.\n\nThis message of empowerment resonates today with every woman navigating workplace bias, societal expectations, or the pressure to be \"everything to everyone.\"\n\n### *Read also: [Why Women Are Underrepresented in Leadership Positions?](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-women-are-underrepresented-in-leadership-positions)*\n\n![Simone de beauvoir writing a book](https://assets.workingal.com/simone_de_beauvoir_inspirational_woman_1171408981.webp)\n\n_[Photo](https://share.google/images/WLAXRwaZkofycoBcK)_\n## What Is Simone de Beauvoir Most Famous For?\n\n### The Second Sex: The Book That Launched Modern Feminism\n\nThe Second Sex is Beauvoir's magnum opus—a detailed, interdisciplinary analysis of women's oppression spanning history, biology, psychology, sociology, and mythology. It's over 1,000 pages of thoroughly researched argumentation about why women have been systematically oppressed and what can be done about it.\n\nThe book became a catalyst for the second-wave feminist movement in the 1960s and '70s. Feminist icons like Betty Friedan, Kate Millett, Germaine Greer, and Gloria Steinem all cited Beauvoir as a major influence. Betty Friedan specifically said The Second Sex \"led me to whatever original analysis of women's existence I have been able to contribute to the Women's movement.\"\n\n### Her Activism and Political Engagement\n\nThough Beauvoir initially resisted identifying as a feminist (she believed socialism would automatically solve women's oppression), she publicly declared herself a feminist in a 1972 interview. From that point forward, she became actively involved in the [women's liberation movement in France](https://www.workingal.com/articles/suffragettes-the-movement-that-changed-the-history-of-women).\n\nIn 1971, she signed the Manifesto of the 343, a public declaration by 343 French women—including prominent actresses, writers, and intellectuals—admitting they had illegal abortions. This courageous act helped bring about abortion law reform in France. She also founded a feminist section in the influential journal *Les Temps Modernes* and spent her later years fighting for divorce law reform, women's rights in the Iranian Revolution, and sexual equality.\n\n## Simone de Beauvoir's Most Inspirational Quotes\n\nBeauvoir's writing is filled with wisdom that feels remarkably relevant to modern working women. Here are some of her most powerful quotes:\n\nOn Women's Potential: \"Women are not the victims of some mysterious fate: our ovaries do not condemn us to a lifetime of submission.\"\n\nOn Ambition: \"I am awfully greedy; I want everything from life. I want to be a woman and to be a man, to have many friends and to have loneliness, to work much and write good books, to travel and enjoy myself, to be selfish and to be unselfish… You see, it is difficult to get all that I want. And then when I do not succeed, I get mad with anger.\"\n\nOn Taking Action: \"Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.\"\n\nOn Independence: \"I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to be able to take charge of me entirely. No one knows me or loves me completely. I have only myself.\"\n\nOn Self-Knowledge: \"Self-knowledge is no guarantee of happiness, but it is on the side of happiness and can supply the courage to fight for it.\"\n\nOn Freedom: \"I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom.\"\n\nOn How Society Defines Women: \"Humanity is male, and man defines woman, not in herself but in relation to himself.\"\n\n## Simone de Beauvoir's Legacy Today\n\nBeauvoir's influence extends far beyond academic philosophy. Her ideas permeate contemporary conversations about:\n\n* Gender identity and expression: The understanding that gender is socially constructed rather than biologically determined  \n* Intersectional feminism: Her analysis of how different forms of oppression overlap  \n* Women's autonomy: The idea that women should define themselves rather than be defined by others  \n* Work-life balance: Her writings on how domestic roles have limited women's potential  \n* Sexual freedom: Her frank discussions of female sexuality and desire\n\nIn 2018, French culture celebrated Beauvoir's manuscripts of *The Second Sex* being published, and her memoirs were added to the prestigious Pléiade collection—a sign of her permanent place in the literary and philosophical canon. Modern scholars continue to discover new dimensions of her thought, from her phenomenological approach to her intersectional analysis before the term even existed.\n\n## Why Simone de Beauvoir Matters for Working Women Today\n\nAs modern working women, we owe Beauvoir an enormous debt. Every time we:\n\n* Question why household labor falls disproportionately on women  \n* Negotiate for [equal pay](https://www.workingal.com/articles/mind-the-gap-the-fight-for-gender-equal-compensation)  \n* Refuse to apologize for our ambition  \n* Choose careers over traditional roles  \n* Define success on our own terms  \n* Speak up against [sexism in the workplace](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-handle-sexist-people-in-business)\n\n...we're living out the freedom Beauvoir fought to secure.\n\nShe showed us that conventions are not destiny. That we are not \"the Other\" or \"the second sex\"—we are complete, autonomous human beings capable of transcendence, of creating our own meaning, of choosing our own paths.\n\nBeauvoir rejected the idea that women must choose between career and personal life, between ambition and femininity, between intellectual pursuits and relationships. She lived authentically, wrote prolifically, loved passionately, and changed the world fundamentally.\n\n## The Bottom Line\n\nSimone de Beauvoir transformed how we understand gender, paved the way for modern feminism, and demonstrated through both her work and her life that women are complete, necessary, autonomous human beings. Her most powerful message? You are not what society says you are. You become who you choose to become.\n\nIn a world that still places limiting expectations on women, that's a message worth remembering—and celebrating.\n\n\n#### References\n\n[Simone de Beauvoir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_de_Beauvoir)\n\n[Simone de Beauvoir Is The Badass Inspiration You Need To Keep Going](https://wordsofwomen.com/simone-de-beauvoir-on-why-conformity-is-death/)\n\n[6 feminist quotes by Simone de Beauvoir](https://www.vogue.fr/fashion-culture/article/6-feminist-quotes-by-simone-de-beauvoir)\n\n***\n\n### Follow Us On Social For More Tips & News\n\n#### _[The Working Gal on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/the_working_gal/)_ \n\n#### _[The Working Gal on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/theworkinggal)_ \n\n#### _[The Working Gal on Pinterest](https://fr.pinterest.com/the_working_gal/)_\n\n\n\n\n\n","inspirational-women-simon-de-beauvoir","feminism, simone de beauvoir, second, sex, other, second sex, feminist, simone, de beauvoir","Who was Simon de Beauvoir, the feminist who has been an inspiration for many women throughout history? ","2020-12-27","Europe/Berlin","2020-12-27T22:20:29.276Z","2025-10-25T21:14:47.741Z","2020-12-27T22:20:46.205Z",{"id":105,"documentId":106,"name":107,"alternativeText":108,"caption":108,"focalPoint":62,"width":109,"height":110,"formats":111,"hash":150,"ext":113,"mime":117,"size":151,"url":152,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":153,"updatedAt":153,"publishedAt":153},39,"siicmxhbwu656icd6j5p00x7","simon-de-beauvoir-cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg","simon-de-beauvoir",1600,900,{"large":112,"small":123,"medium":132,"thumbnail":141},{"ext":113,"url":114,"etag":115,"hash":116,"mime":117,"name":118,"path":62,"size":119,"width":120,"height":121,"sizeInBytes":122},".jpg","https://assets.workingal.com/large_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg","867f704ce79a53731132b7c9f99faa54","large_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa","image/jpeg","large_simon-de-beauvoir-cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg",58.93,1000,563,58927,{"ext":113,"url":124,"etag":125,"hash":126,"mime":117,"name":127,"path":62,"size":128,"width":129,"height":130,"sizeInBytes":131},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg","18c4eeb51228afa54ca3053cc5153c1a","small_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa","small_simon-de-beauvoir-cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg",17.27,500,281,17267,{"ext":113,"url":133,"etag":134,"hash":135,"mime":117,"name":136,"path":62,"size":137,"width":138,"height":139,"sizeInBytes":140},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg","b304f80198ff2315fc99abb006521b18","medium_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa","medium_simon-de-beauvoir-cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg",35.36,750,422,35361,{"ext":113,"url":142,"etag":143,"hash":144,"mime":117,"name":145,"path":62,"size":146,"width":147,"height":148,"sizeInBytes":149},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg","d24b0130b7551fc9d8b568f8c89b8403","thumbnail_simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa","thumbnail_simon-de-beauvoir-cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg",5.9,245,138,5897,"simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa",119.34,"https://assets.workingal.com/simon_de_beauvoir_cc8a48c44f64b08d0cfde87fe166814fa2f52789d009285f544cc4fe0de1a4aa.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:45.889Z",{"id":6,"documentId":7,"name":8,"slug":9,"createdAt":155,"updatedAt":155,"publishedAt":156},"2026-09-06T10:31:16.996Z","2026-09-06T10:31:17.009Z",{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":158},{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":159,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},{"thumbnail":160},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},{"id":162,"documentId":163,"title":164,"content":165,"slug":166,"coffees":26,"seo_title":164,"keywords":167,"seo_desc":168,"bylineDate":99,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":169,"updatedAt":170,"publishedAt":171,"featuredImage":172,"category":210,"author":213,"img":208},42,"x88o2iam0kfxowhsy1bw75f6","Freelancers: The Ultimate Guide to Survive During Summer","Today, we have officially welcomed summer (or almost, until the weather settles a bit). All the freelancers of this world think just one thing: *How are we going to survive this summer in the heat, with the deadlines running and with us trying too hard to deal with all of this in the middle of a heatwave, regardless of holidays or even weekends, to be consistent towards our clients?*\n\nBeing a freelancer is hard enough, whether *in winter or summer*. Their lifestyle is far more different from the **lifestyle** of an employee working in an office. No matter how much we try to maintain standard working hours, we usually fail epically. I have NEVER been able to work only for 8 hours, and I have tried. I typically start enthusiastically and try to keep a rudimentary program. Still, I almost always end up working for about 20 hours straight to meet my deadline. (At this point, I would like to make a particular reference to my sister for the uncountable times she fed me by force when I didn’t even have the time to leave my laptop!).\n\nHowever, **during summertime**, most of us feel loose, and we tend to operate more passively. Therefore the life of a freelancer may be transformed into a living hell. The amount of work and the strict deadlines, including the absolute desire to turn off the desktop and storm out of the house heading to the closest beach, makes us crave a job with regular working hours in an office.\n\nOh yes, I seldom have thought to give up everything and start hitting the road to the closest beach, *leaving all the projects and deadlines behind*. However, since we are adults and have to work to live, we need to find solutions to make it through summer in front of our computers.\n\nFirst of all, **hydration** is a crucial point. When something is missing, and we don’t know what it is, it’s water. It helps concentration; it regulates body temperature and gives energy. I always keep *a bottle of water* next to me while I’m working. Also, eating well is another good point to consider. Don’t forget to eat as healthily as you can (I write these things for me, see particular reference above).\n\nHowever, the big problem is **weekends** and **public holidays** (fortunately there aren’t a lot!). When you are suffocating among projects, you know that they won’t be ready on time if you stop working. Your friends and family are not a group of freelancers, but people who don’t work these days, then yes, desperation hits your door quickly. In that case, I suggest that you take a deep breath, accept the reality, and *“dive”* into the projects. The right summer music in the background does wonders. The avoidance of checking your social media is required (the ruthless display of photos of our friends lying on exotic beaches **DOES NOT** help our productivity, been there done that).\n\nAnother issue is the **sunny days**. Consequently, for us who live and work in *Greece*, a country famous for its summertime, sunny days are immense torture when you see a little of them through your window. I am practically jealous of those people who get dressed and go to work because they get to see and feel the sun. Nonetheless, I end up thinking of the heat and how intolerable it is to drive a car or wait for the bus on such warm days for more than five minutes. As if by magic, I’m not jealous anymore!\n\n![freelancers-summer.jpg](https://assets.workingal.com/freelancers_summer_b800dfb7cf.jpg)\n\nHowever, suppose the obligations are many, and the **mood for socializing** is uncontrollable. In that case, I suggest, for those who are lucky to have a balcony, to honor it and move their office there (aka their laptop). This way, it feels like you are out of the house, without having to move from one place to another. For the social beasts, there is the option to choose a small and quiet café (you can find almost everywhere in the city those tiny treasures) and *here the change of scenery comes*!\n\nUnfortunately, there aren’t magic recipes to overcome the “torture” called **freelancing during summer**. So, till we win the lottery and be able to take a permanent vacation the whole year (how dull would it be though!), I suggest that we think how much we love our job, the fact at least we have more flexible working hours than other professions and more importantly that by being patient, persistent and good-willing, we can achieve the impossible!\n\n### Source: [Freelancers: The ultimate guide to surviving during summer](https://www.edl.gr/en/2019/06/01/freelancers-the-ultimate-guide-to-survive-during-summer/)\n\n***\n\n# Follow Us On Social For More Tips & News\n\n## [The Working Gal on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/the_working_gal/) \n\n## [The Working Gal on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/theworkinggal) \n\n## [The Working Gal on Pinterest](https://fr.pinterest.com/the_working_gal/)\n","freelancers-the-ultimate-guide-to-survive-during-summer","challenges of freelancers, summer freelancers, freelancer challenge, working in summer, challenges of freelancing, problems faced by freelancers","How do freelancers handle working from home in the summer? The ultimate guide to handle working from home during summer.","2020-12-27T20:16:01.984Z","2025-02-10T01:16:04.568Z","2020-12-27T20:17:47.056Z",{"id":173,"documentId":174,"name":175,"alternativeText":176,"caption":176,"focalPoint":62,"width":109,"height":110,"formats":177,"hash":206,"ext":113,"mime":117,"size":207,"url":208,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":209,"updatedAt":209,"publishedAt":209},37,"d4z0a1yizrn8f4t47m27igy5","freelancer-surviving-summer-paris-6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg","freelancer-surviving-summer",{"large":178,"small":185,"medium":192,"thumbnail":199},{"ext":113,"url":179,"etag":180,"hash":181,"mime":117,"name":182,"path":62,"size":183,"width":120,"height":121,"sizeInBytes":184},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg","860a7970544e4ab33f741f86f4216885","large_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6","large_freelancer-surviving-summer-paris-6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg",120.91,120914,{"ext":113,"url":186,"etag":187,"hash":188,"mime":117,"name":189,"path":62,"size":190,"width":129,"height":130,"sizeInBytes":191},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg","4da0f5a28a999c6800c2d971019ec11e","small_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6","small_freelancer-surviving-summer-paris-6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg",38.08,38076,{"ext":113,"url":193,"etag":194,"hash":195,"mime":117,"name":196,"path":62,"size":197,"width":138,"height":139,"sizeInBytes":198},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg","98d452020e0572ef796b23fb08df84a4","medium_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6","medium_freelancer-surviving-summer-paris-6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg",74.61,74607,{"ext":113,"url":200,"etag":201,"hash":202,"mime":117,"name":203,"path":62,"size":204,"width":147,"height":148,"sizeInBytes":205},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg","2860d1d4de2756c34f42caf3d4465972","thumbnail_freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6","thumbnail_freelancer-surviving-summer-paris-6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg",12.03,12028,"freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6",269.79,"https://assets.workingal.com/freelancer_surviving_summer_paris_6f9adb6a0f51b7c386524cbc186bd37d2a9beb9804460e4d07406bb50cfbcab6.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:44.243Z",{"id":26,"documentId":27,"name":28,"slug":29,"createdAt":211,"updatedAt":211,"publishedAt":212},"2026-09-06T10:31:16.599Z","2026-09-06T10:31:16.613Z",{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":214},{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":215,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},{"thumbnail":216},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},{"id":218,"documentId":219,"title":220,"content":221,"slug":222,"coffees":223,"seo_title":220,"keywords":224,"seo_desc":225,"bylineDate":99,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":226,"updatedAt":227,"publishedAt":228,"featuredImage":229,"category":266,"author":269,"img":264},32,"tw8zt1ef8nx8xvh6ke3mjg9t","Toxic Positivity: When Positive Thinking becomes Too Much?","*Toxic positivity is defined as an excessive overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state across all situations.* Clinical psychologist Dr. Jaime Zuckerman explains it this way: \"Toxic positivity is a societal assumption that a person, despite their emotional pain or gravity of their situation, should only strive to have a positive outlook. The absence of a 'think positive' or 'good vibes only' attitude makes people feel as though happiness is unattainable and having negative emotions is wrong.\"\n\nI don't mean to kill your buzz—I really don't. I'm an eternal optimist, and I never want to crush anyone's dreams or imply that we should all become pessimists. The problem isn't positivity itself. The problem is when constant positivity becomes mandatory, and any authentic emotion that doesn't fit the \"good vibes only\" script is dismissed, minimized, or silenced.\n\nIs it really possible to reject all our negative feelings and exist in continuous nirvana? As someone who is generally happy and positive, I can tell you from experience: it's not. And trying to force it causes more harm than the [negative emotions](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-control-your-negative-emotions) we're desperately trying to avoid.\n\n## What Toxic Positivity Actually Looks Like\n\nToxic positivity can be sneaky. It often comes disguised as encouragement, wrapped in good intentions, delivered by people who genuinely want to help. But the impact is the same: it invalidates real emotions and shuts down honest conversation.\n\nYou might recognize these phrases:\n\n\"Just stay positive\\!\" — when you're sharing a genuine struggle\n\n\"Everything happens for a reason\" — when you're grieving or dealing with loss\n\n\"Look on the bright side\\!\" — when there isn't one, or you're not ready to see it\n\n\"It could be worse\" — minimizing your pain by comparing it to others\n\n\"Good vibes only\\!\" — rejecting any emotion that isn't cheerful\n\n\"Happiness is a choice\" — as if you can simply decide not to feel sad\n\n\"You just need to be more grateful\" — when [gratitude](https://www.workingal.com/articles/gratitude-trend) isn't the issue\n\n\"Don't be so negative\" — when you're being realistic, not negative\n\nThe common thread? These responses shut down the conversation rather than opening it up. They tell the person struggling that their emotions are wrong, inconvenient, or something to be fixed rather than felt.\n\n## Why We Default to Toxic Positivity\n\nMost people who engage in toxic positivity aren't trying to be dismissive. They're uncomfortable with difficult emotions—their own and other people's—and don't know what else to say. We've been conditioned throughout childhood and adulthood to \"put on a happy face,\" \"never let them see you sweat,\" and maintain a positive outlook no matter what.\n\n[Social media](https://www.workingal.com/articles/oversharing-social-media) has amplified this tendency. Research shows that users feel pressured to present an idealized version of their lives online, suppressing negative emotions to conform to social norms. This curated positivity creates a false sense of well-being while contributing to increased anxiety, loneliness, and decreased self-esteem—both for the people posting and those consuming the content.\n\nAs Harvard Medical School psychologist Dr. Susan David puts it: \"When we tell people just to be positive, what we are actually saying to them is my comfort is more important than your reality.\" That's a hard truth to sit with, but it explains why toxic positivity persists despite good intentions.\n\n## Why Toxic Positivity Is Harmful to Mental Health\n\nI am generally a happy and positive person, but life is unpredictable. Sometimes good things happen, and sometimes bad things happen. Not all days are the same, and everything can change within seconds. A person may lose their job, go through a divorce, get into a [huge argument](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-argue) with a loved one—life happens. How can this person be expected to be optimistic about that?\n\nAccording to the toxic positivity culture, they apparently should be. But research tells a different story.\n\n### It Prevents Emotional Processing\n\nWhen we suppress negative emotions, we deny ourselves the opportunity to actually work through them. Studies show that chronic emotional suppression can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. A [study published in the Journal of Personality and Psychology](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/toxic-positivity) highlights the importance of validating negative emotions—recognizing and allowing yourself to experience sadness, anger, fear, and frustration is essential for psychological well-being.\n\n### It Blocks Personal Growth\n\nPainful experiences, while uncomfortable, are often catalysts for self-reflection and change. They force us to confront our vulnerabilities, identify areas for improvement, and develop coping mechanisms. When we're told to \"just be positive\" instead of processing these experiences, we miss the lessons they might teach us. By acknowledging and working through difficult emotions, we build emotional resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity. Toxic positivity, on the other hand, creates a false sense of security, like building a sandcastle and expecting it to withstand the tide.\n\n### It Creates Shame and Isolation\n\nThe pressure to maintain a perpetually positive facade can lead to feelings of isolation and shame. When individuals are constantly bombarded with messages that they should be happy and optimistic, they may feel that their negative emotions are a sign of weakness or [failure](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success). This can prevent them from seeking support and sharing their struggles with others. They might fear being judged or dismissed, leading to loneliness and disconnection at the exact moment they need connection most.\n\n![toxic-positivity.jpg](https://assets.workingal.com/toxic_positivity_e89b33deeb.jpg)\n\nI confess there were times I felt guilty for not being positive. \"Oh great, I have a job, I earn money—why am I acting like such a [drama queen](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-drama-llama-10-signs-you-are-addicted-to-drama)?\" But having a job and earning money doesn't mean you always love what you do, especially when it consumes your entire day. I tried to be positive about it, but then I realized there was no point in pretending something I didn't feel and suppressing my real emotions just to be a \"positive vibe\" in this world.\n\n## Toxic Positivity in the Workplace\n\nThe workplace is one of the most common environments where toxic positivity thrives—and does significant damage. When \"positive attitude\" becomes an unofficial requirement, real problems go unaddressed, and employee wellbeing suffers.\n\nWorkplace toxic positivity might sound like:\n\nA manager telling an overworked team to \"just keep doing great work\" instead of addressing unrealistic deadlines\n\n[Leadership](https://www.workingal.com/articles/miranda-priestly-management-style) responding to valid concerns with \"let's focus on the good things\"\n\n\"You're bringing everyone down\" when someone raises legitimate issues\n\n\"You're lucky to even have a job\" when discussing [work stress](https://www.workingal.com/articles/french-women-workplace)\n\nResilience programs that push positivity instead of addressing systemic problems\n\n[Research on toxic positivity](https://www.atlassian.com/blog/communication/toxic-positivity) in professional settings identifies serious consequences: psychological distress, burnout, and decreased employee wellbeing. When employees feel they have to suppress their concerns to maintain a \"good vibes only\" environment, problems fester instead of getting solved. Issues get dismissed with platitudes while the real underlying problems—poor management, unrealistic expectations, lack of resources—remain unaddressed.\n\nAs Mita Mallick, head of inclusion, equity, and impact at Carta, puts it: \"When you show up with toxic positivity, you are not hearing, seeing, or understanding the situation. It's like you're just slapping an [Instagram quote](https://www.workingal.com/articles/50-motivational-quotes-for-working-women) as a solution. You are minimizing, negating, or erasing my experience.\"\n\nThe workplace should foster a sense of belonging, which means people can show up as their whole selves—even when they're [having a bad day](https://www.workingal.com/articles/50-ways-to-feel-better-when-you-are-having-a-bad-day). When we can do that, we bring our best ideas, passion, and creativity. But if we're constantly suppressing authentic emotions to maintain a cheerful facade, we bring less of ourselves to work.\n\n## How to Respond to Toxic Positivity (From Others or Yourself)\n\nRecognizing toxic positivity is the first step. Once you see it, you can start responding to it more effectively—whether it's coming from others or from your own internal voice.\n\n### When Someone Gives You Toxic Positivity:\n\nRemember that most people mean well and don't realize they're being dismissive. You can gently redirect by saying something like: \"I know you're trying to help, but right now I just need to vent,\" or \"I appreciate the positive perspective, but I need to process this feeling first before I can move forward.\" You don't owe anyone toxic positivity in return. It's okay to [set boundaries](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-and-preserve-boundaries) around how you want to be supported.\n\n### When You Catch Yourself Doing It:\n\nWe've all done it—reflexively offered \"look on the bright side\" when someone was struggling, because we didn't know what else to say. Instead of rushing to fix negative emotions, try acknowledging them first: \"That sounds really hard,\" or \"I'm sorry you're going through this.\" You don't have to have solutions. Sometimes people just need to feel heard.\n\n### When It's Your Own Internal Voice:\n\nIf you find yourself constantly criticizing your own \"negative\" emotions—telling yourself to just be grateful, to stop complaining, to look on the bright side—pause. Give yourself permission to feel what you're actually feeling. Emotions aren't good or bad; they're information. Sadness, frustration, anger, disappointment—these are all valid responses to difficult situations. Acknowledging them doesn't mean wallowing in them; it means processing them so you can eventually move through them.\n\n## A Better Way to Be Positive\n\nI'm not saying we should give up on positive thinking—not at all. A positive mentality is valuable and welcome. But authentic positivity makes room for the full range of human emotions. It doesn't require us to pretend difficult things aren't difficult.\n\nThe difference between healthy optimism and toxic positivity:\n\nToxic positivity sounds like: \"Stay positive, everything is going to be fine\\!\"\n\nHealthy support sounds like: \"I understand you're going through something hard. It's normal to feel this way, and I believe you'll get through it—but take the time you need to process it first.\"\n\nThe first approach rejects the problem and doesn't take it into serious consideration. The second acknowledges the reality of the struggle while still expressing [confidence](https://www.workingal.com/articles/books-for-confidence) that things can improve. One dismisses; the other validates.\n\nTrue optimism involves maintaining a hopeful outlook while acknowledging challenges and believing in the possibility of positive outcomes. It's a balanced perspective that allows for the full range of emotions, understanding that setbacks and difficulties are part of the human experience—not something to be denied or rushed past.\n\n## Giving Yourself Permission to Feel\n\nI decided to acknowledge the fact that I do love my job, but there are some days I don't like it that much—and it's okay to have negative emotions about it. It's part of who we are. The same applies in all situations. Every person perceives their problems according to their own experiences and context.\n\nBy reminding people that \"others have more severe problems\" or telling them they shouldn't express negative feelings, we underestimate and minimize their pain. We're not helping—we're silencing.\n\nI'm not saying we should give up on hope. I'm saying that while a positive mentality is precious and welcome, negative feelings are valid too. By suppressing them, by living in the bubble of \"everything is fine,\" we may cause more problems later. Emotions don't disappear because we ignore them—they go underground and show up in other ways: anxiety, physical symptoms, relationship problems, burnout.\n\nIn a world where mental health awareness is increasingly important, toxic positivity undermines the foundation of open and honest conversations about our emotional well-being. It creates a culture where vulnerability is seen as a liability rather than a natural and essential part of the human experience.\n\nEncouraging genuine empathy and validation of all emotions creates a more supportive environment where individuals feel safe to express their true selves. And if things don't work out perfectly? That's [another challenge to overcome](https://www.workingal.com/articles/real-stories-my-biggest-challenge-at-work). That's life, after all.\n\n\n\n","toxic-positivity-when-positive-thinking-becomes-too-much",3,"toxic positivity, toxic positivity examples, good vibes only culture, positive thinking harmful, emotional suppression, workplace toxic positivity","Toxic positivity dismisses real emotions with forced optimism. Learn what it looks like, why it's harmful to mental health, and how to support yourself and others authentically.\n","2020-12-27T03:13:37.088Z","2025-12-13T00:41:52.870Z","2020-12-27T03:14:13.534Z",{"id":218,"documentId":230,"name":231,"alternativeText":232,"caption":232,"focalPoint":62,"width":109,"height":110,"formats":233,"hash":262,"ext":113,"mime":117,"size":263,"url":264,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":265,"updatedAt":265,"publishedAt":265},"fex249omsndy00ybtq9eqthh","toxic positivity-10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg","toxic positivity",{"large":234,"small":241,"medium":248,"thumbnail":255},{"ext":113,"url":235,"etag":236,"hash":237,"mime":117,"name":238,"path":62,"size":239,"width":120,"height":121,"sizeInBytes":240},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg","011ff992d526037bd92a9126ecd33665","large_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd","large_toxic positivity-10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg",66.27,66268,{"ext":113,"url":242,"etag":243,"hash":244,"mime":117,"name":245,"path":62,"size":246,"width":129,"height":130,"sizeInBytes":247},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg","e0a7d4e86ce270aeb34bfa49f23527f7","small_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd","small_toxic positivity-10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg",21.27,21274,{"ext":113,"url":249,"etag":250,"hash":251,"mime":117,"name":252,"path":62,"size":253,"width":138,"height":139,"sizeInBytes":254},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg","a1a1185fdc58c22515a819f0c6757364","medium_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd","medium_toxic positivity-10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg",40.53,40529,{"ext":113,"url":256,"etag":257,"hash":258,"mime":117,"name":259,"path":62,"size":260,"width":147,"height":148,"sizeInBytes":261},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg","2a43c585bb82eed09909518d8b7b0be7","thumbnail_toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd","thumbnail_toxic positivity-10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg",7.39,7393,"toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd",149.4,"https://assets.workingal.com/toxic_positivity_10a3e108b8b6976f3ed8a9b2cf5f26bafd1a2e4610cbc3f5581d68d3b09da0bd.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:40.645Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":267,"updatedAt":267,"publishedAt":268},"2026-09-06T10:31:16.716Z","2026-09-06T10:31:16.780Z",{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":270},{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":271,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},{"thumbnail":272},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},{"id":274,"documentId":275,"title":276,"content":277,"slug":278,"coffees":36,"seo_title":276,"keywords":279,"seo_desc":280,"bylineDate":281,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":282,"updatedAt":283,"publishedAt":284,"featuredImage":285,"category":323,"author":324,"img":321},30,"z4zxkqsajwchdudzmh7pfqjw","How to Manage Your Time Effectively (When You Feel Like There's Never Enough)","Having spent much of my professional life in front of a computer, I can admit that the issue of time management is complicated. In an ideal world, we'd all work a focused eight hours, take only necessary breaks, and still have energy left for the endless to-do lists waiting at home.\n\nBut that ideal world doesn't exist. And for most of my career, I was a shining example of what my brother lovingly called a \"productivity killer.\"\n\nThe breaking point came when—for the umpteenth time—I found myself [working late into the night](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-avoid-late-nights-at-work) trying to complete obligations, skipping drinks with friends, losing hours of sleep, sacrificing personal time, and living in a constant state of panic that I wouldn't be able to finish anything. As someone who [works as a freelancer](https://www.workingal.com/articles/what-are-the-biggest-challenges-freelancers-face) without fixed hours, getting off schedule happens easily. But I'd gotten so far off track that I genuinely didn't know if I'd make it to my best friend's bachelorette party on time.\n\nSomething had to change.\n\nThat decision wasn't easy to make, and it was even harder to follow through on. But years later, when my brother told me, *\"You know, I collaborate with many people. You're the most productive person I've ever met,\"* I realized that transformation is genuinely possible—if you're willing to do the work.\n\nHere's everything I've learned about managing time effectively, backed by research and tested in real life.\n\n## Why Time Management Feels So Hard\n\nBefore we talk about solutions, let's acknowledge something important: if time management were easy, everyone would be doing it perfectly. The truth is, our modern work environment is designed to steal our focus.\n\n![time-management-tips.jpg](https://assets.workingal.com/time_management_tips_4b570f6f45.jpg)\n\n[Research from Zippia](https://www.zippia.com/advice/time-management-statistics/) shows that 82% of people don't have any time management system at all. They just deal with whatever seems most important in the moment—which usually means the loudest email or the most urgent deadline gets attention while important long-term work gets pushed aside.\n\nMeanwhile, the average worker is [productive](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-things-you-need-to-say-no-to-to-be-more-productive) for less than three hours out of an eight-hour workday. That's not because people are lazy or unmotivated. It's because we're swimming against a tide of distractions: the average office worker gets interrupted up to 60 times per day, and studies show it takes around 23 minutes to fully refocus after each interruption.\n\nAdd in the fact that we check our phones an average of 96 times per day (roughly every 10 minutes during waking hours), and it becomes clear why productivity feels like such a struggle. The problem isn't willpower. It's that we're trying to focus in an environment actively working against us.\n\nThe good news? Once you understand what's stealing your time, you can start building systems to protect it.\n\n## The Foundation: Know Where Your Time Actually Goes\n\nYou can't manage what you don't measure. Before implementing any time management strategy, you need to understand your current reality—not the ideal version you imagine, but where your hours actually go.\n\nFor one week, track everything. I mean *everything*. Every task, [every meeting](https://www.workingal.com/articles/body-language-hacks-for-authority), every \"quick\" email check, every [social media scroll](https://www.workingal.com/articles/i-stop-scrolling-in-the-morning). You can use apps like Toggl or RescueTime, or simply keep a notebook beside you and jot down what you're doing every 30 minutes.\n\nWhat you'll likely discover is illuminating and slightly horrifying. Most people find they spend about 28% of their workday reading and responding to emails. They lose nearly an hour each day just looking for information scattered across different apps and folders. They attend meetings that could have been emails and work on tasks that don't actually move important projects forward.\n\nThis audit isn't meant to make you feel bad—it's meant to show you opportunities. Once you see that you spend two hours daily on low-value tasks, you can start asking: *What if I cut that in half? What could I do with that extra hour?*\n\n## Time Management Strategies That Actually Work\n\nThe average person tries 13 different time management methods in their lifetime before finding what works. Here are the approaches that have made the biggest difference for me and countless other working women.\n\n### Time Blocking: Guard Your Calendar Like a Bodyguard\n\nTime blocking is exactly what it sounds like: instead of keeping a vague to-do list, you assign specific tasks to specific blocks of time in your calendar. \"Work on presentation\" becomes \"9:00-11:00 AM: Presentation draft.\" \"Answer emails\" becomes \"2:00-2:30 PM: Email processing.\"\n\nThe power of time blocking is that it forces you to be realistic about what you can actually accomplish in a day. When you have to physically fit tasks into your calendar, you quickly realize that scheduling 15 major tasks for one day is impossible. You're forced to prioritize, and that clarity is valuable.\n\nStart by blocking time for your most important work during your peak energy hours. For many people, that's morning. Protect that time fiercely—no meetings, no email checking, no \"quick questions.\" Then schedule administrative tasks like email and meetings for your lower-energy periods.\n\n### The Two-Minute Rule: Clear the Small Stuff\n\nMade famous by productivity expert David Allen, this rule is simple: if something takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. Don't add it to your to-do list, don't put it off, don't even think about it—just do it.\n\nThis works because the mental overhead of tracking small tasks often takes more energy than just completing them. That email response, that quick file upload, that short phone call—getting them done immediately clears mental space for bigger work.\n\nBut be careful: the two-minute rule is for genuinely small tasks, not for anything someone else labels \"urgent.\" If someone's \"quick question\" is going to derail your entire morning, it can wait.\n\n### Batch Similar Tasks Together\n\nEvery time you switch between different types of tasks, your brain needs time to adjust. That's why [researchers found](https://www.runn.io/blog/time-management-statistics) that context-switching can cost workers up to 127 hours per year in lost productivity—just from the time spent refocusing after interruptions.\n\nInstead of bouncing between email, project work, phone calls, and administrative tasks all day, group similar activities together. Process all your email at designated times rather than constantly checking. Schedule all your meetings on the same day if possible. Do all your creative work in one focused block and all your administrative work in another.\n\nThis approach respects how your brain actually works. Once you're in \"email mode,\" you can power through your inbox quickly. Once you're in \"creative mode,\" you can maintain that flow state instead of constantly rebuilding it.\n\n### Spend 10 Minutes Planning to Save 2 Hours Working\n\nResearch consistently shows that spending just 10-12 minutes planning your day can save you nearly two hours of wasted time. That's a remarkable return on investment, and it's why I'm a firm believer in using a planner.\n\nWhile there are excellent [digital tools available](https://www.workingal.com/articles/remote-work-essentials) (I personally love Trello for project management and Google Keep for quick notes and lists), there's something powerful about a physical planner. When you write something down, it creates a stronger mental connection than typing. Your brain processes it differently. You're more likely to remember it and follow through.\n\nEvery evening or first thing in the morning, write down your top three priorities for the day—not your entire to-do list, just the three things that would make the day feel successful if you completed them. Then build your time blocks around those priorities.\n\n## Using Technology as a Tool, Not a Distraction\n\nOne of the biggest shifts in my productivity journey was changing my relationship with technology—especially my phone. I used to have it in my hand constantly, with sound on, checking notifications every two minutes. Nothing ever happened that was truly urgent, but I was addicted to the dopamine hit of new notifications.\n\nNow I keep my phone on silent during [focused work time](https://www.workingal.com/articles/white-noise-for-calm-and-focus) and only check it every few hours. If someone really needs to reach me urgently, they'll find a way. Meanwhile, my focus has improved dramatically.\n\n![woman managing her time effectively](https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_manage_your_time_effectively_91f0519b5e.webp)\n\nBut technology isn't all bad—far from it. The right tools can automate tedious tasks, keep you organized, and even help you identify where your time is going. AI-powered tools like Notion AI, Grammarly, and smart scheduling assistants can handle routine work that used to eat up hours of your day. If you're curious about leveraging these tools, check out [my guide to the best AI productivity tools](https://www.workingal.com/articles/best-ai-productivity-tools) that can genuinely transform your workflow.\n\nThe key is being intentional. Use technology as a tool for productivity, not as entertainment during work hours. During work time, your phone should serve your goals—not distract from them.\n\n## The Mindset Shifts That Make It Stick\n\nTime management isn't just about tactics and tools. The deeper work involves changing how you think about your time and your right to protect it.\n\n### Learn to Say No (Without Guilt)\n\nWith Mother Teresa syndrome deeply ingrained in me, I used to struggle constantly to satisfy everyone—except myself. I'd say yes to every social invitation, every favor, every \"quick\" request. And then I'd wonder why I had no time for my own priorities.\n\nHere's what I've learned: [every yes is a no to something else](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-things-you-need-to-say-no-to-to-be-more-productive). When you say yes to drinks with people you don't really want to see, you're saying no to rest or meaningful connection with people you actually care about. When you say yes to a \"quick\" editing favor from an acquaintance (my personal trigger), you're saying no to paid work or personal time.\n\nWhen I started saying no more often, I was shocked by how much time I reclaimed. The world didn't end. People didn't hate me. They adjusted, and so did I. If [saying no](https://www.workingal.com/articles/50-ways-to-say-no-politely) feels impossible, start by buying yourself time: \"Let me check my calendar and get back to you.\" That space gives you room to consider whether you genuinely want to say yes—or whether you're just afraid to say no.\n\n### Done Is Better Than Perfect\n\n[Perfectionism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/perfectionism-at-work-how-to-manage-it-and-increase-your-productivity) is productivity's enemy in disguise. It masquerades as \"high standards\" but really it's fear—fear of judgment, [fear of failure](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success), fear of being seen as anything less than flawless.\n\nThe truth is, most tasks don't require perfection. They require completion. An 80% perfect presentation delivered on time is more valuable than a 100% perfect presentation that's two weeks late. A \"good enough\" email sent now is better than a meticulously crafted email never sent.\n\nAsk yourself: what level of quality does this task actually require? Save your perfectionism for the work that genuinely matters, and give yourself permission to be \"good enough\" everywhere else.\n\n### Rest Is Productive\n\nFor too long, I thought productivity meant squeezing every possible minute out of every day. [Sleep](https://www.workingal.com/articles/revenge-bedtime-procrastination) felt like wasted time. Breaks felt like laziness. Self-care felt indulgent.\n\nThis mindset led directly to burnout. Because here's the truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Adequate sleep, proper breaks, and genuine downtime aren't obstacles to productivity—they're prerequisites for it.\n\nThe rule of \"8 hours work, 8 hours sleep, 8 hours for ourselves\" might not be perfectly achievable every day, but it should be a goal. At minimum, [protect your sleep](https://www.workingal.com/articles/sleep-hygiene). Don't sacrifice it for one more hour of work that your tired brain will do poorly anyway. Make sure you have at least 3-4 hours daily for yourself and your loved ones. That's not laziness—that's sustainability.\n\n## Setting Up Your Environment for Success\n\nYour physical and digital environment plays a huge role in your ability to focus. If you're [working remotely](https://www.workingal.com/articles/work-from-home), this becomes even more important—your home office setup directly impacts your productivity.\n\nA cluttered workspace creates a [cluttered mind](https://www.workingal.com/articles/messy-home-psychology). Research shows that people waste around 45 minutes per day just looking for lost papers and files in disorganized spaces. That's over 3.5 hours per week—nearly half a workday—lost to mess.\n\nTake time to organize both your physical workspace and your [digital files](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-organize-your-digital-life). Create a simple folder structure you can actually maintain. Designate specific places for frequently-used items. Clear your desk at the end of each day so you start fresh tomorrow.\n\nIf you work from home, having the right tools makes a significant difference. The right project management system, communication tools, and [digital workspace](https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/JkXw) can eliminate hours of frustration.\n\n## What to Do When You Fall Off Track\n\nHere's something nobody tells you: you will fall off track. You'll have a week where your time management system completely falls apart. You'll miss deadlines, skip your morning planning, check your phone constantly, and feel like you're right back where you started.\n\nThis is normal. It doesn't mean you've failed. It means you're human.\n\nWhen this happens—and it will—don't spiral into self-criticism. Instead, treat it as data. What happened? Was your system too rigid? Did life circumstances change? Were you trying to do too much?\n\nThen, simply begin again. Not tomorrow, not Monday, not next month—now. Open your planner, identify your top three priorities, and start fresh. Progress isn't linear, and neither is developing good time management habits.\n\nRemember: every [successful person](https://www.workingal.com/articles/habits-of-successful-women) has moments when their systems break down. What separates them isn't perfection—it's the willingness to start again.\n\n## Celebrate Your Progress\n\n![woman managing her time effectively](https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_manage_your_time_effectively_14d4c17395.webp)\n\nEvery time you complete your goals, give yourself a reward. It doesn't have to be big or expensive—a walk, coffee with a friend, an [episode of your favorite show](https://www.workingal.com/articles/shows-like-emily-in-paris), a few chapters of a [good book](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-books-that-every-working-gal-should-read). Taking time to acknowledge your wins builds the positive associations that make good habits stick.\n\nTrack your progress. Notice when you're getting better. Recognize the days when you stayed focused, when you said no to distractions, when you completed your top priorities. These small victories add up to a significant transformation.\n\nThe path to better time management is hard. You'll spend many hours trying to find your way. But it's worth it—not just for your productivity, but for your peace of mind, your relationships, and your ability to actually enjoy your life outside of work.\n\nWhen my brother called me \"the most productive person I've ever met,\" I realized I had made it. And if someone who once had to ask whether she'd make it to her best friend's bachelorette party can transform into that person—you absolutely can too.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### What is the most effective time management technique?\n\nTime blocking is consistently rated as one of the most effective techniques because it forces you to be realistic about your capacity and protects your focus time. However, the best technique is the one you'll actually use consistently. Many people find success combining time blocking with batching similar tasks together and using the two-minute rule for small items.\n\n### How much time does the average person waste at work?\n\nResearch shows that the average worker is productive for less than 3 hours out of an 8-hour workday. About 89% of workers admit to wasting time during work hours, with common culprits including social media, excessive email checking, unnecessary meetings, and context-switching between tasks. Workers lose approximately 7 hours per week to interruptions alone.\n\n### How can I stop procrastinating and manage my time better?\n\nStart by understanding [why you're procrastinating](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-do-we-procrastinate)—often it's fear of failure, perfectionism, or overwhelm rather than laziness. Break large tasks into smaller, specific actions. Use time blocking to assign specific times to dreaded tasks. Set a timer for just 25 minutes and commit to working on the task until it rings (the Pomodoro Technique). Often, starting is the hardest part—once you're in motion, continuing becomes easier.\n\n### Is a paper planner better than digital tools for time management?\n\nBoth can be effective—the best choice depends on your personal preferences and work style. Paper planners offer the benefit of physical writing, which can strengthen memory and commitment. Digital tools offer reminders, easy rescheduling, and syncing across devices. Many people find success using both: a paper planner for daily planning and priorities, combined with digital tools for project management and calendar blocking.\n\n### How long does it take to develop good time management habits?\n\nResearch on habit formation suggests it takes anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form a new habit, with an average of about 66 days. For time management specifically, expect to spend several weeks adjusting and refining your approach before it feels natural. Be patient with yourself—transformation doesn't happen overnight, but consistent small improvements compound into significant change over time.\n\n### How can I manage my time when I work from home?\n\nWorking from home requires extra structure because the boundaries between work and personal life blur. Create a dedicated workspace if possible. Set clear start and end times for your workday. Use time blocking to protect focused work periods. Communicate your schedule to family members or roommates. Take real breaks away from your workspace. And invest in the right digital tools to stay organized—having the right remote work essentials can make a significant difference in your productivity.\n\n### What should I do when my time management system stops working?\n\nThis happens to everyone. When your system breaks down, don't criticize yourself—treat it as information. Consider what changed: Did your workload increase? Did your priorities shift? Was your system too rigid? Adjust your approach based on what you learn, and simply start again. The goal isn't perfect consistency—it's building the habit of returning to your system when you fall off track.\n\n## Related Reading:\n\n• [The Best AI Productivity Tools You Need in 2025 to Get More Done](https://www.workingal.com/articles/best-ai-productivity-tools)\n\n• [Remote Work Essentials: Tools That Actually Make a Difference](https://www.workingal.com/articles/remote-work-essentials)\n\n• [How to Set SMART Financial Goals](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-smart-financial-goals)\n\n• [50 Ways to Say No Politely](https://www.workingal.com/articles/50-ways-to-say-no-politely)\n\n• [Strategic Productivity: How to Work Smart, Not Hard](https://www.workingal.com/articles/strategic-productivity-how-to-work-smart-not-hard)\n\n• [Don't Be Busy, Be Productive: How To Stop the Glorification of Busyness](https://www.workingal.com/articles/don-t-be-busy-be-productive)\n\n","how-to-manage-your-time-effectively","time management tips, how to manage time effectively, productivity strategies, time management for working women, stop wasting time at work, work life balance time management","Struggling with time management? 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The Psychology Behind Putting Things Off ","You have a full to-do list staring back at you and yet, somehow, you find yourself reorganizing your desk drawer, scrolling through emails you've already read, or suddenly remembering that the kitchen really needs a deep clean. Three hours later, nothing productive has happened—and now there's a layer of guilt sitting on top of everything else.\n\nIf this sounds painfully familiar, you're far from alone since [research shows](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2010/04/procrastination) that approximately 20% of adults are chronic procrastinators, and among college students, that number jumps to nearly 50%. But procrastination isn't simply a matter of being lazy or having poor time management skills. The truth is far more complex—and understanding the real psychology behind why we procrastinate is the first step toward actually overcoming it.\n\nFor years, I was what you might call a master procrastinator. I'd promise myself that *today* would be different, that I'd power through my tasks without distraction. But inevitably, I'd find myself [working late into the night](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-avoid-late-nights-at-work), stressed and frustrated, trying to finish what I could have completed hours earlier. The work got done—but at what cost to my wellbeing?\n\nWhat finally changed wasn't a [new productivity hack](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-game-changing-technique-to-boost-your-productivity) or a better calendar app. It was understanding *why* I was procrastinating in the first place. Once I recognized the psychological patterns driving my behavior, everything shifted. Here's what I learned—and what might help you, too.\n\n# The Real Psychology Behind Procrastination\n\nHere's something that might surprise you: procrastination is not a time management problem. It's an *emotional regulation problem*.\n\nAccording to Dr. Timothy Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University and one of the world's leading researchers on procrastination, we delay tasks primarily to [manage negative emotions](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-control-your-negative-emotions). When we face something that triggers discomfort—whether that's anxiety, boredom, frustration, or self-doubt—our brain's default response is to seek relief. And the easiest form of relief? Avoiding the task entirely.\n\nThis is where our brain's wiring works against us. The limbic system, one of the oldest and most dominant parts of the brain, is responsible for our emotional responses and automatic behaviors. It's constantly pulling us toward things that feel good *right now*—scrolling [social media](https://www.workingal.com/articles/oversharing-social-media), chatting with colleagues, making [another cup of coffee](https://www.workingal.com/articles/is-caffeine-good-for-our-health). Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, which handles planning and rational decision-making, is newer and less powerful. When these two systems clash, the limbic system often wins.\n\nThe result? We choose short-term mood repair over long-term goals. We feel better in the moment by avoiding the uncomfortable task—but we pay for it later with increased stress, rushed work, and that familiar wave of self-criticism.\n\n# 7 Common Reasons We Procrastinate\n\nWhile the underlying mechanism is emotional regulation, procrastination can manifest in different ways depending on what's triggering the discomfort. Understanding your specific patterns is crucial for finding solutions that actually work.\n\n## 1\\. Fear of Failure (and Sometimes Success)\n\nOne of the most common drivers of procrastination is fear—specifically, the fear that our work won't be good enough. When we delay starting a task, we protect ourselves from the [possibility of failing](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success) at it. If we never really try, we can't truly fail, right?\n\nThis is particularly common among high-achievers and [perfectionists](https://www.workingal.com/articles/perfectionism-at-work-how-to-manage-it-and-increase-your-productivity). The standards they set for themselves are so high that the prospect of falling short feels unbearable. Procrastination becomes a psychological safety net: \"I could have done better if I'd had more time.\"\n\nInterestingly, fear of success can be equally paralyzing. Some people unconsciously worry about what success might bring—more responsibility, higher expectations, [changes in relationships](https://www.workingal.com/search?s=relati). Procrastinating keeps things comfortably familiar.\n\n## 2\\. Perfectionism and Impossibly High Standards\n\nPerfectionism and procrastination go hand in hand. When you believe that anything less than perfect is failure, starting feels impossibly daunting. You wait for the \"right\" moment, the perfect idea, or the ideal conditions—but that moment rarely arrives.\n\n[Research published](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/07342829241249784#:~:text=Several%20investigations%20of%20multidimensional%20trait,\\)%20Perfectionism%20Scale%20\\(BPS\\).) in the journal *Personality and Individual Differences* found that perfectionism significantly correlates with procrastination, particularly when individuals believe they cannot meet their own standards. The irony? By procrastinating, perfectionists often produce lower-quality work under time pressure than they would have with adequate time.\n\n## 3\\. Anxiety and Overwhelm\n\nSometimes the task itself isn't the problem—it's how overwhelming it feels. When a project seems too big, too complex, or too uncertain, our brain can essentially freeze. This is what psychologists call \"analysis paralysis.\"\n\nYou might spend hours thinking about all the different approaches you could take, worrying about making the wrong choice, or feeling paralyzed by the sheer scope of what needs to be done. The anxiety becomes a barrier to action, and avoiding the task temporarily reduces that anxiety—even though it ultimately makes things worse.\n\nIf you struggle with [impostor syndrome](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome), this anxiety can be even more intense. The fear that you'll be \"found out\" as someone who doesn't know what they're doing can make every task feel like a potential exposure of your inadequacy.\n\n## 4\\. Lack of Clear Goals or Purpose\n\nWe're far more likely to procrastinate on tasks that feel abstract or disconnected from our values. \"I need to finish this report\" is vague. \"This report will help my team secure the funding we need to launch our project\" is meaningful.\n\nWhen we don't have a clear \"why\" behind a task, motivation naturally wanes. Our brain doesn't see a compelling reason to prioritize it over more immediately rewarding activities. This is why research from Dr. Pychyl shows that \"the more purpose we have, the less we procrastinate.\"\n\n## 5\\. Task Aversion (It's Boring, Hard, or Unpleasant)\n\nLet's be honest: some tasks are genuinely unpleasant. Filing taxes, organizing your inbox, tackling administrative paperwork—these rarely spark joy. And when a task is boring, tedious, or frustrating, our brain naturally seeks more enjoyable alternatives.\n\nThis is what neuroscientists call \"novelty bias.\" Our prefrontal cortex is wired to seek new stimuli because, historically, paying attention to novel things helped our survival. In modern life, this translates to constantly being drawn toward the new email notification, the [fresh social media post](https://www.workingal.com/articles/career-advice-from-influencers), or literally anything more interesting than the spreadsheet in front of us.\n\n## 6\\. Decision Fatigue and Mental Exhaustion\n\nEvery decision we make depletes a finite mental resource. By the end of a demanding day, our capacity for self-control and focused work is significantly diminished. This is why many people find themselves procrastinating more in the afternoon or evening—they've simply run out of mental energy.\n\n![why-we-procrastinate.jpg](https://assets.workingal.com/why_we_procrastinate_b892414712.jpg)\n\n\nIf you're juggling multiple responsibilities, constantly switching between tasks, or dealing with ongoing stress, [decision fatigue](https://www.workingal.com/articles/decision-fatigue) can make procrastination almost inevitable. Your brain is essentially conserving resources by defaulting to low-effort activities.\n\n## 7\\. Temporal Discounting: The Deadline Is Far Away\n\nOur brains are notoriously bad at valuing future rewards. A deadline three weeks away feels abstract and non-urgent, while the satisfaction of watching one more episode of your favorite show is immediate and tangible. This cognitive bias, known as \"temporal discounting,\" explains why we consistently underestimate how much time tasks will take and overestimate how motivated we'll feel \"later.\"\n\nWe tell ourselves that Future Us will somehow be more energetic, [more focused](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-simplify-your-life-and-feel-better), and [more disciplined](https://www.workingal.com/articles/self-discipline-7-proven-ways). Spoiler alert: Future Us will have the same struggles—just with less time to work with.\n\n# The Hidden Costs of Procrastination\n\nProcrastination might feel like a harmless coping mechanism, but research consistently shows that it comes with significant costs.\n\nA [landmark 1997 study](https://www.jstor.org/stable/40063233) by psychologists Roy Baumeister and Dianne Tice found that while procrastinating students experienced less stress early in the semester, they reported *significantly higher stress and more illness* as deadlines approached. Overall, procrastinators accumulated more stress and received lower grades than their peers.\n\nBeyond academic and professional performance, chronic procrastination has been linked to poorer mental health outcomes, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. There's also evidence connecting procrastination to physical health problems, including cardiovascular issues, possibly due to the chronic stress it creates.\n\nPerhaps most insidiously, procrastination often creates a negative feedback loop. We procrastinate, feel guilty about procrastinating, criticize ourselves harshly, and then seek relief from those negative feelings by... procrastinating more. Breaking this cycle requires both self-awareness and self-compassion.\n\n# How to Actually Stop Procrastinating\n\nUnderstanding why we procrastinate is valuable, but it's only half the battle. Here are evidence-based strategies that can help you move from insight to action.\n\n## Practice Self-Compassion, Not Self-Criticism\n\nThis might seem counterintuitive, but research shows that self-forgiveness reduces future procrastination. When we harshly criticize ourselves for procrastinating, we create more negative emotions—which leads to more avoidance. Being kind to yourself actually makes it easier to get started.\n\n## Break Tasks Into Smaller Steps\n\nLarge, ambiguous tasks trigger overwhelm. Instead of \"write the quarterly report,\" try \"open a new document and write three bullet points about Q3 [performance](https://www.workingal.com/articles/year-end-review-documentation).\" The smaller and more specific the step, the less resistance you'll feel. Each small completion builds momentum for the next.\n\n## Use the Two-Minute Rule\n\nIf something takes less than two minutes, do it now. This prevents small tasks from accumulating into an overwhelming backlog. For larger tasks, commit to working on it for just two minutes—often, that's enough to overcome initial resistance and build momentum.\n\n## Connect Tasks to Your Values\n\nRemember, we procrastinate less when we have a clear sense of purpose. Ask yourself: Why does this task matter? How does it connect to what I care about? Even mundane tasks can become meaningful when we see how they serve our larger goals.\n\n## Manage Your Environment\n\nMake procrastination harder and focused work easier. Put your phone in another room, use website blockers during work sessions, and set up your workspace to support concentration. Our environment shapes our behavior more than we realize.\n\n## Build in Rewards\n\nSince our brain responds to immediate rewards, create some. Promise yourself a coffee break after completing a section, or plan something enjoyable for after a focused work session. This makes the task feel less like pure suffering and more like a path to something pleasant.\n\n## Address the Underlying Emotions\n\nWhen you notice yourself procrastinating, pause and ask: What am I feeling right now? What am I trying to avoid? Sometimes simply naming the emotion—\"I'm anxious about this presentation because I'm worried about being judged\"—reduces its power and makes it easier to move forward.\n\n# Moving Forward\n\nProcrastination isn't a character flaw or a sign of laziness. It's a very human response to uncomfortable emotions—and it's something that virtually everyone struggles with at some point. The key isn't to shame yourself into productivity but to understand what's driving your avoidance and develop more effective ways to cope.\n\nStart small. Be patient with yourself. Every time you choose to start despite the discomfort, you're building new neural pathways and proving to yourself that you can handle difficult emotions without running from them.\n\nThat's a skill worth developing—and it's one that will serve you far beyond your to-do list.\n\n# FAQs About Procrastination\n\n### Is procrastination the same as laziness?\n\nNo. Laziness implies a lack of desire to act, while procrastination often involves wanting to complete a task but struggling with the emotional discomfort it creates. Many procrastinators work intensely—just not on what they should be doing.\n\n### Can procrastination ever be beneficial?\n\nSome research suggests that moderate \"active procrastination\"—intentionally delaying tasks to work under pressure—can [boost creativity](https://www.workingal.com/articles/date-night-ideas) for certain individuals. However, chronic procrastination consistently leads to negative outcomes for most people.\n\n### Why do I procrastinate even on things I want to do?\n\nEven enjoyable tasks can trigger procrastination if they require effort, involve uncertainty, or carry pressure to perform well. The emotional discomfort isn't about the task itself—it's about the feelings surrounding it.\n\n### Is procrastination linked to ADHD?\n\nProcrastination is more common among people with ADHD due to challenges with executive function, [emotional regulation](https://www.workingal.com/articles/are-you-emotionally-intelligent-your-vocabulary-can-reveal-it), and working memory. However, not all procrastinators have ADHD, and not all people with ADHD procrastinate chronically.\n\n### What's the best way to stop procrastinating immediately?\n\nStart with the smallest possible step—even just opening a document or writing one sentence. The hardest part is often the beginning. Once you start, momentum usually builds.\n\n### How long does it take to overcome procrastination habits?\n\nThere's no fixed timeline, as it depends on the underlying causes and the strategies you use. Consistent practice of new habits typically shows results within a few weeks, but deeply ingrained patterns may take longer to shift.\n\n#### Related Reading:\n\n• [Are You Suffering from Impostor Syndrome?](https://www.workingal.com/articles/impostor-syndrome-test)\n\n• [Why French Women Never Seem Stressed at Work](https://www.workingal.com/articles/french-women-workplace)\n\n• [How to Stop Being a Control Freak](https://www.workingal.com/articles/kill-your-inner-control-freak)\n\n• [Effective Communication in the Workplace](https://www.workingal.com/articles/4-hacks-for-effective-communication-in-the-workplace)\n\n\n\n\n","why-do-we-procrastinate","why do we procrastinate, reasons for procrastination, psychology of procrastination, how to stop procrastinating, procrastination causes, overcome procrastination","Discover the real reasons why we procrastinate—from fear of failure to emotional regulation. Learn science-backed strategies to overcome procrastination and boost your productivity.","2020-12-25","2020-12-25T16:57:58.213Z","2025-12-11T22:41:21.472Z","2020-12-25T16:58:46.378Z",{"id":340,"documentId":341,"name":342,"alternativeText":343,"caption":343,"focalPoint":62,"width":109,"height":110,"formats":344,"hash":373,"ext":113,"mime":117,"size":374,"url":375,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":376,"updatedAt":376,"publishedAt":376},20,"qycsxd9kyagt1a6l0bn3wf94","why do we procrastinate-19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg","why do we procrastinate",{"large":345,"small":352,"medium":359,"thumbnail":366},{"ext":113,"url":346,"etag":347,"hash":348,"mime":117,"name":349,"path":62,"size":350,"width":120,"height":121,"sizeInBytes":351},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg","07df4119b2832cdc659a736a1a83597d","large_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1","large_why do we procrastinate-19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg",53.97,53970,{"ext":113,"url":353,"etag":354,"hash":355,"mime":117,"name":356,"path":62,"size":357,"width":129,"height":130,"sizeInBytes":358},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg","d0924a41b5175c0d03d0607e5ef9f0ad","small_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1","small_why do we procrastinate-19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg",16.47,16466,{"ext":113,"url":360,"etag":361,"hash":362,"mime":117,"name":363,"path":62,"size":364,"width":138,"height":139,"sizeInBytes":365},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg","a2872134adbbb9be1f0e61ed1fe9a75c","medium_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1","medium_why do we procrastinate-19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg",32.39,32390,{"ext":113,"url":367,"etag":368,"hash":369,"mime":117,"name":370,"path":62,"size":371,"width":147,"height":148,"sizeInBytes":372},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg","3a1baebe60e8f62ca97ab8236e697698","thumbnail_why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1","thumbnail_why do we procrastinate-19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg",5.42,5422,"why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1",130.13,"https://assets.workingal.com/why_do_we_procrastinate_19a32b9c454aca4e0294d3e58634eec41bec48ac31e954003f594028543830d1.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:30.713Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":267,"updatedAt":267,"publishedAt":268},{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":379},{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":380,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},{"thumbnail":381},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},{"id":11,"documentId":383,"title":384,"content":385,"slug":386,"coffees":26,"seo_title":384,"keywords":387,"seo_desc":388,"bylineDate":335,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":389,"updatedAt":390,"publishedAt":391,"featuredImage":392,"category":429,"author":430,"img":427},"uv8erh5ngxgkm2ag9ua180os","Are you Suffering from Impostor Syndrome?","There have been sometimes in my career that I have felt completely incompetent and inadequate for my job due to certain circumstances or people. The funny part was that the *people who had made me believe I am not worthy of the job were the people who had made an informed decision to hire me*. \n\n Since then, I have certainly grown and evolved, but I could undoubtedly catch myself thinking whether these people were right, and I wasn’t as good as I thought —regardless of my high performance at work.\n\n One day, I read about **Impostor Syndrome**. The Impostor Syndrome is a psychological pattern in which individuals doubt their skills, talents, or accomplishments and have a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a \"fraud.\" I felt utterly related to this; I indeed felt as “fraud” even though my performance showed different results. \n\n I had a constant need for approval from my partners, collaborators, and family. I tried hard to prove myself and my worth; I kept working and studying the same things because I thought it wasn’t enough. For instance, I was in front of a translation; I knew the topic exceptionally well - I had already done it many times in the past -  yet I thought something was wrong. When I sent my translation, I was nervous and worried that they would return it reviewed, *shaming me for my linguistic competence*; that never happened. **No bad reviews, not a negative comment**. But still, I thought something wasn’t good enough. \n\n As a result, I felt stressed, I kept cooperating on low rates and working conditions, and I found it hard to believe that I could claim what I deserve, and I kept working for hours, thinking I could *master my skills and competencies*. Although I kept achieving things, my evaluation was almost perfect (nobody is entirely perfect, especially in linguistics), I thought I could do more. \n \n![women sitting in her office stressed](https://assets.workingal.com/imposter_syndrome_696f4d98b3.webp)\n\n ### According to experts, Impostor Syndrome can lead in either two ways: over-preparation or [procrastination](https://www.workingal.com/articles/why-do-we-procrastinate). \n \n If one responds with procrastination, this initial response will turn into a frantic effort to complete the job. Once the task has been completed, there will be a brief period of accomplishment and a feeling of relief. If positive feedback is given once the work has been completed and turned in, one will discount the positive feedback. If one responded to the task with over-preparation, the successful outcome would be seen as a result of hard work.\n \n \nIf one responds by procrastination, one will view the outcome as a matter of luck. In the impostor cycle, gaining success through hard work or luck is not interpreted as a matter of truth or personal ability. \n\nThis means that it does not matter which mechanism one used to complete the task. Even if the outcome results in a positive response, the feedback given does not affect one's success perception. This leads one to discount positive feedback.\n\nExperiencing Impostor syndrome can ultimately adversely affect one's job and competence. This means that the person rarely will take the credits for his/her career and usually stay behind regarding their professional evolution and advancement.\n\n***\n\n### _Follow Us On Social For More Tips & News_\n\n#### [The Working Gal on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/the_working_gal/) \n\n#### [The Working Gal on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/theworkinggal) \n\n#### [The Working Gal on Pinterest](https://fr.pinterest.com/the_working_gal/)\n\n\n\n","are-you-suffering-from-impostor-syndrome","signs of imposter syndrome, how to overcome imposter syndrome, dealing with self-doubt, feeling like a fraud at work, high-achiever burnout, self-sabotage in career","Discover strategies to conquer Impostor Syndrome and unleash your full potential. Learn how to overcome this feeling of failure for improved performance.","2020-12-25T16:46:05.695Z","2026-04-11T06:17:27.583Z","2020-12-25T16:46:09.887Z",{"id":393,"documentId":394,"name":395,"alternativeText":396,"caption":396,"focalPoint":62,"width":109,"height":110,"formats":397,"hash":425,"ext":113,"mime":117,"size":426,"url":427,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":428,"updatedAt":428,"publishedAt":428},19,"lbe3ani2kowi0bompmpy0h1g","impostor syndrome how to deal-7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg","impostor syndrome how to deal",{"large":398,"small":405,"medium":411,"thumbnail":418},{"ext":113,"url":399,"etag":400,"hash":401,"mime":117,"name":402,"path":62,"size":403,"width":120,"height":121,"sizeInBytes":404},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg","1271874232d023ed0789a785a8806c85","large_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e","large_impostor syndrome how to deal-7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg",72.18,72181,{"ext":113,"url":406,"etag":407,"hash":408,"mime":117,"name":409,"path":62,"size":393,"width":129,"height":130,"sizeInBytes":410},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg","8f6409cb1866d766a386e694a7456e2d","small_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e","small_impostor syndrome how to deal-7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg",18999,{"ext":113,"url":412,"etag":413,"hash":414,"mime":117,"name":415,"path":62,"size":416,"width":138,"height":139,"sizeInBytes":417},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg","015a2f4c971aaccaecb617995c01d957","medium_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e","medium_impostor syndrome how to deal-7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg",40.15,40150,{"ext":113,"url":419,"etag":420,"hash":421,"mime":117,"name":422,"path":62,"size":423,"width":147,"height":148,"sizeInBytes":424},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg","2455ac694d0da07e8ab1e0ba25c4cbb6","thumbnail_impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e","thumbnail_impostor syndrome how to deal-7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg",5.77,5768,"impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e",185.44,"https://assets.workingal.com/impostor_syndrome_how_to_deal_7930c847371075dc17753416708a081f7b038502d65d66c58921af02c9acf51e.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:29.932Z",{"id":26,"documentId":27,"name":28,"slug":29,"createdAt":211,"updatedAt":211,"publishedAt":212},{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":431},{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":432,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},{"thumbnail":433},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},{"id":36,"documentId":435,"title":436,"content":437,"slug":438,"coffees":26,"seo_title":436,"keywords":439,"seo_desc":440,"bylineDate":335,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":441,"updatedAt":442,"publishedAt":443,"featuredImage":444,"category":483,"author":484,"img":481},"hxcey9tbzyq237eqawdvkxto","How to Stop Being a Control Freak: Letting Go Without Losing Your Mind","You have a vision for how things should go. You know the right way to load a dishwasher, organize a project timeline, and handle a client presentation. You're the person everyone depends on because when you're in charge, things get done correctly. There's just one problem: that constant need for control is exhausting you—and possibly everyone around you.\n\nIf you've ever been called a \"control freak\" (or quietly called yourself one), you know the term carries complicated feelings. On one hand, your high standards and attention to detail have probably contributed to your success. On the other, the anxiety that kicks in when things don't go according to plan, the difficulty delegating, the tension in relationships when others don't meet your expectations—these costs are real, and they're adding up.\n\nThe need for control isn't a character flaw. According to psychologists, it's often rooted in anxiety, insecurity, or past experiences where things felt chaotic or unsafe. Understanding this can help you approach your controlling tendencies with curiosity rather than [judgment](https://www.workingal.com/articles/stop-being-judgy)—which, ironically, is the first step toward letting some of that control go.\n\n## The Psychology Behind Controlling Behavior\n\nPsychologists have identified that the need for control typically stems from deeper psychological patterns. According to research, control-seeking behavior is often connected to anxiety disorders, [perfectionism](https://www.workingal.com/articles/perfectionism-at-work-how-to-manage-it-and-increase-your-productivity), obsessive-compulsive tendencies, or simply a fundamental fear of uncertainty. The underlying belief is that if you can just manage everything carefully enough, you can prevent bad outcomes.\n\nThe problem with this belief? It's an illusion. As clinical psychologist [Noelle McWard writes in Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/unpacking-anxiety/202510/is-your-perfectionism-about-control-or-connection), \"What we prepare for isn't what happens, and what happens is rarely what we prepare for.\" Most of the [challenges](https://www.workingal.com/articles/real-stories-my-biggest-challenge-at-work) we face in life aren't the ones we anticipated and planned for—and most of the things we worried about never actually happened.\n\nA [meta-analysis of 284 studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28026869/#:~:text=A%20meta%2Danalysis%20of%20studies%20on%20the%20relationship,**Perfectionism%20dimensions**%20Perfectionistic%20strivings%20and%20perfectionistic%20concerns) found that perfectionism—which often underlies controlling behavior—is linked to insomnia, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, social phobia, self-harm, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The very behaviors meant to keep us safe and successful are often the ones undermining our mental health.\n\nRecent research has also shown that perfectionism is increasing, particularly among younger generations. A [study conducted between 1989 and 2016](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2018/01/perfectionism-young-people) found that perfectionism in college students increased by statistically significant amounts, with socially-prescribed perfectionism (the belief that others expect perfection from us) doubling. We're living in a culture that rewards control and punishes imperfection—which makes learning to let go both more difficult and more necessary.\n\n## Signs You Might Be a Control Freak\n\nControlling behavior exists on a spectrum, and some amount of wanting things done well is perfectly healthy. But when that desire crosses into territory that causes stress, damages relationships, or limits your life, it's worth examining. Here are some signs that your need for control might be working against you:\n\n### You struggle to delegate.   \nEven when you're overwhelmed, handing off tasks feels impossible because you're convinced no one else will do them correctly. When you do delegate, you hover, micromanage, or end up redoing the work yourself.\n\n### Small disruptions feel catastrophic.   \nWhen plans change, or things don't go as expected, your emotional response is disproportionate to the actual problem. A delayed flight doesn't just annoy you—it ruins your day.\n\n### You have difficulty relaxing.   \nEven during supposed downtime, your mind races with things that need to be done, checked, or fixed. Vacations feel stressful rather than restorative.\n\n### Perfectionism drives your work.   \nYou spend excessive time on details that don't matter, struggle to complete projects because they're never quite good enough, or [procrastinate](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-not-procrastinate-like-a-pro) on starting things because you can't guarantee a perfect outcome.\n\n### Relationships feel strained.   \nPartners, friends, or [colleagues](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-toxic-phrases-used-by-colleagues-with-a-huge-ego) have expressed frustration with your expectations. You notice yourself feeling disappointed in people regularly, or others seem to walk on eggshells around you.\n\n### You experience physical symptoms.   \nChronic tension, headaches, digestive issues, or [sleep problems](https://www.workingal.com/articles/revenge-bedtime-procrastination) often accompany ongoing stress and anxiety. Your body is keeping score of what your mind won't acknowledge.\n\n## Why Letting Go Is So Hard\n\nIf you logically know that you can't control everything, why does letting go feel so impossible? Understanding the psychological mechanisms at play can help.\n\n**Control feels like safety.** For many people, controlling behavior developed as a response to past experiences where things felt chaotic, unpredictable, or unsafe. The need for control is essentially anxiety's attempt to prevent harm. Your nervous system learned that vigilance and management equal safety—even when that's no longer true.\n\n**Your identity is tied to competence.** High-achievers often derive self-worth from doing things well. If your value is connected to outcomes, relinquishing control feels like risking your worth as a person. The stakes feel existential even when they're not.\n\n**It's been rewarded.** Your controlling tendencies have probably contributed to [success](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success)—good grades, promotions, recognition. The behavior has been reinforced, making it harder to recognize its costs alongside its benefits.\n\n**Uncertainty is genuinely uncomfortable.** Humans are wired to seek predictability. Not knowing how things will turn out activates our threat response. Control is an (ultimately futile) attempt to eliminate that discomfort.\n\n## Strategies for Letting Go of Control\n\nThe goal isn't to become careless or lower your standards—it's to loosen your grip on things that don't actually require your tight hold, reduce unnecessary anxiety, and create more ease in your life and relationships.\n\n### Identify What's Actually in Your Control\n\nMuch of the anxiety behind controlling behavior comes from trying to manage things that were never ours to manage. Other people's actions, external circumstances, the future—these are fundamentally outside our control, no matter how much effort we put in.\n\n![blog-900x550-_1_.webp](https://assets.workingal.com/blog_900x550_1_73fbbd88fd.webp)\n\nStart practicing the distinction: What can I actually influence, and what am I pretending to control? Your own effort, preparation, and responses are within your power. The outcome, other people's reactions, and circumstances beyond your sphere are not. Focusing your energy on the former and releasing the latter isn't giving up—it's strategic allocation of limited resources.\n\n### Start Small with Low-Stakes Experiments\n\nClinical psychologists recommend starting with low-stakes situations when learning to let go. Choose something that doesn't carry significant consequences—maybe how your partner loads the dishwasher, or the exact format of a casual email.\n\nConsciously choose not to intervene, correct, or take over. Then notice what happens. Did the world end? Was the outcome actually acceptable, even if not exactly how you would have done it? Use these experiments to gather evidence that loosening your grip doesn't lead to catastrophe.\n\n### Challenge Your Catastrophic Thinking\n\nControlling behavior is often driven by catastrophic predictions: If I don't manage this, everything will fall apart. But research shows our predictions are usually wrong. Ask yourself: Of all the things I've worried about, how many actually happened as I imagined? And of the real challenges I've faced, how many did I see coming?\n\nWhen you notice yourself catastrophizing, try examining the evidence. What's the realistic worst case? How likely is it? And even if it happened, could you handle it? The answer is almost always yes—you're more resilient than your anxiety wants you to believe.\n\n### Practice Imperfection Intentionally\n\nPsychologists recommend deliberately engaging in activities where you might not excel as a way to build tolerance for imperfection. Try something new where you're a genuine beginner. Send an email without obsessing over every word. Submit work that's good enough rather than endlessly perfected.\n\nThese experiences teach your nervous system that imperfection doesn't lead to rejection or catastrophe. They also free up enormous amounts of time and energy previously devoted to the impossible pursuit of flawlessness.\n\n### Build Trust in Others\n\nControlling behavior often stems from a fundamental distrust—of others' competence, reliability, or judgment. But people tend to rise or fall to our expectations. When we micromanage, we communicate distrust, which often produces exactly the half-hearted effort we feared.\n\nExperiment with genuine delegation. Communicate clear expectations, then step back completely. Allow others the dignity of doing things their way, even if it's different from yours. You might be surprised by what people are capable of when given real ownership.\n\n### Address the Underlying Anxiety\n\nSince controlling behavior is often anxiety in disguise, addressing the root cause can be more effective than just trying to stop the behavior. This might include therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy has strong evidence for both anxiety and perfectionism), stress management techniques, [mindfulness practices](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-yoga-poses-for-immediate-stress-relief), or examining the beliefs and fears driving your need for control.\n\nAsk yourself: What am I really afraid of? What do I believe will happen if I let go? Often, the feared outcome is about self-worth (I'll be seen as incompetent), safety (things will fall apart), or belonging (I won't be valued if I'm not perfect). Addressing these core fears is the real work.\n\n### Redefine Success\n\nIf your current definition of success requires perfection and total control, you've set yourself up for perpetual failure and anxiety. Consider what \"good enough\" might actually look like. Consider that success might include peace of mind, sustainable effort, and healthy relationships—not just flawless outcomes.\n\nAuthor Gretchen Rubin suggests separating high standards from the anxiety surrounding them. You can keep your standards and lose the panic. The goal isn't mediocrity—it's excellence without the exhaustion.\n\n### Accept That Discomfort Is Part of Growth\n\nLetting go of control will feel uncomfortable, at least initially. Your anxiety will spike. You'll have to sit with uncertainty, which your nervous system has been trained to avoid. This discomfort is not a sign you're doing something wrong—it's a sign you're doing something different.\n\nThe freedom on the other side of that discomfort is worth the temporary unease. With practice, your tolerance for uncertainty increases, your [relationships improve](https://www.workingal.com/articles/self-sabotage-the-signs-that-you-undermine-your-relationships), and the energy previously devoted to impossible control becomes available for things that actually matter.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### Is being a control freak a mental disorder?   \n\"Control freak\" isn't a clinical diagnosis, but the underlying patterns often connect to recognized conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, or perfectionism (which psychologists increasingly treat as a clinical concern). If your need for control significantly impacts your well-being or relationships, speaking with a mental health professional can help.\n\n### Why do I feel the need to control everything?   \nControl-seeking behavior typically develops as a response to anxiety, uncertainty, or past experiences where things felt chaotic. The underlying belief is that managing everything carefully enough can prevent bad outcomes. This behavior often reflects a need for safety and security, not a desire to dominate others.\n\n### How do you deal with someone who is a control freak?   \nSet clear boundaries about what you will and won't accept. Communicate directly about how their behavior affects you. Recognize that their controlling behavior usually comes from anxiety, not malice—but that doesn't mean you have to tolerate it. Encourage them to seek support if the behavior is significantly impacting your relationship.\n\n### Can a control freak change?   \nYes, with awareness and effort. Change requires recognizing the costs of controlling behavior, understanding its roots, and deliberately practicing new patterns. Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy, has strong evidence for addressing perfectionism and control-related anxiety. Progress typically involves gradually building tolerance for uncertainty and imperfection.\n\n### What's the difference between high standards and being a control freak?   \nHigh standards are about your own effort and excellence. Control-seeking extends to managing others, outcomes, and circumstances beyond your direct responsibility. High standards can coexist with flexibility, delegation, and acceptance of imperfection. Control issues typically involve rigidity, difficulty trusting others, and anxiety when things don't go exactly as planned.\n\n*This article was updated in December 2025*\n\n\n\n\n\n","kill-your-inner-control-freak","how to stop being a control freak, letting go of control, perfectionism and anxiety, control issues, how to let go of perfectionism, stop controlling behavior","Struggling to let go of control? Learn how to stop being a control freak with research-backed strategies that reduce anxiety, improve relationships, and help you find peace without lowering your standards.\n","2020-12-25T16:17:50.931Z","2025-12-11T21:38:56.774Z","2020-12-25T16:24:40.102Z",{"id":445,"documentId":446,"name":447,"alternativeText":448,"caption":449,"focalPoint":62,"width":109,"height":110,"formats":450,"hash":479,"ext":113,"mime":117,"size":480,"url":481,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":482,"updatedAt":482,"publishedAt":482},18,"dpxz5vdpv91k2b0ghrn2z0sr","control-freak-db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg","Person playing jenga","How to kill your inner control freak",{"large":451,"small":458,"medium":465,"thumbnail":472},{"ext":113,"url":452,"etag":453,"hash":454,"mime":117,"name":455,"path":62,"size":456,"width":120,"height":121,"sizeInBytes":457},"https://assets.workingal.com/large_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg","ca592dae204ea0a358edbd5d7b5370a9","large_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600","large_control-freak-db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg",54.29,54286,{"ext":113,"url":459,"etag":460,"hash":461,"mime":117,"name":462,"path":62,"size":463,"width":129,"height":130,"sizeInBytes":464},"https://assets.workingal.com/small_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg","1bb4644ba9498e6293e8dfe3a6bb93c0","small_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600","small_control-freak-db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg",19.45,19453,{"ext":113,"url":466,"etag":467,"hash":468,"mime":117,"name":469,"path":62,"size":470,"width":138,"height":139,"sizeInBytes":471},"https://assets.workingal.com/medium_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg","668c63c7967ad000023849394e1d7659","medium_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600","medium_control-freak-db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg",35.43,35431,{"ext":113,"url":473,"etag":474,"hash":475,"mime":117,"name":476,"path":62,"size":477,"width":147,"height":148,"sizeInBytes":478},"https://assets.workingal.com/thumbnail_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg","81a4dd636b9cc1f4bbd0194d153ab531","thumbnail_control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600","thumbnail_control-freak-db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg",7.01,7012,"control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600",109.82,"https://assets.workingal.com/control_freak_db755ab98a433d1c8c14182b4f7ae8fb6caa9091bfc371de8ded010565339600.jpg","2026-09-06T10:31:29.101Z",{"id":36,"documentId":37,"name":38,"slug":39,"createdAt":267,"updatedAt":267,"publishedAt":268},{"id":26,"documentId":48,"name":49,"slug":50,"instagram":51,"facebook":52,"bio":53,"linkedIn":54,"createdAt":55,"updatedAt":55,"publishedAt":56,"avatar":485},{"id":42,"documentId":58,"name":59,"alternativeText":60,"caption":61,"focalPoint":62,"width":63,"height":63,"formats":486,"hash":75,"ext":66,"mime":70,"size":76,"url":77,"previewUrl":62,"provider":78,"provider_metadata":62,"createdAt":79,"updatedAt":79,"publishedAt":80},{"thumbnail":487},{"ext":66,"url":67,"etag":68,"hash":69,"mime":70,"name":71,"path":62,"size":72,"width":73,"height":73,"sizeInBytes":74},{"id":26,"documentId":489,"title":490,"content":491,"slug":492,"coffees":223,"seo_title":490,"keywords":493,"seo_desc":494,"bylineDate":335,"bylineTimezone":100,"createdAt":495,"updatedAt":496,"publishedAt":497,"featuredImage":498,"category":536,"author":537,"img":534},"ovvzt76t0t05zcalubci71kq","How to Handle Conflict at Work: A Guide to Navigating Workplace Disagreements","You know that feeling—the tightness in your chest when you see a certain name pop up in your inbox, the dread before a meeting where you know tensions will run high, or the exhaustion of navigating office politics when all you want to do is get your work done. Workplace conflict is one of those things nobody warns you about in your job description, yet it becomes one of the [biggest challenges of professional life](https://www.workingal.com/articles/real-stories-my-biggest-challenge-at-work).\n\nIf you're dealing with friction at work, you're far from alone. Research shows that 85% of employees experience some form of workplace conflict, with 29% dealing with disagreements almost constantly. According to the [CIPD Good Work Index 2024](https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/reports/goodwork/), approximately eight million UK workers experienced workplace conflict in the past year alone—and that's just one country. The numbers are staggering, but what's more important is what this conflict actually costs: your energy, your well-being, and quite possibly your career trajectory.\n\nThe [2024 Workplace Peace Institute study](https://www.workplacepeaceinstitute.com/post/state-of-workplace-conflict-in-2024-insights-and-solutions) found that U.S. workers spend an average of two hours per week dealing with conflict. That translates to roughly $3,216 per employee per year in lost [productivity](https://www.workingal.com/articles/best-ai-productivity-tools). But the real cost isn't just financial—it's personal. Employees who experience workplace conflict are significantly less likely to be satisfied with their jobs (54% satisfaction compared to 77% for those without conflict) and twice as likely to consider leaving within the next year.\n\nThe good news? \n\n![colleagues having conflicts at work](https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_handle_conflicts_at_work_2ef50fb672.webp)\n\nWhile you can't eliminate conflict entirely—it's a natural byproduct of humans working together—you can absolutely learn to handle it in ways that protect your wellbeing, strengthen your professional relationships, and even advance your career.\n\n## Understanding Why Workplace Conflict Happens\n\nBefore you can effectively manage conflict, it helps to understand where it actually comes from. The [Myers-Briggs Company's research](https://www.themyersbriggs.com/-/media/Myers-Briggs/Files/Resources-Hub-Files/Research/Psychology-of-Conflict.pdf) identifies the primary triggers: 49% of workplace conflicts stem from personality clashes and egos, 34% from workplace stress, and 33% from heavy workloads. Add in unclear job roles (22%), conflicting values (18%), and poor team composition (16%), and you start to see why disagreements are practically inevitable.\n\nWhat's particularly worth noting for women in the workplace: conflict often shows up differently for us. We're socialized to be accommodating, to smooth things over, to keep the peace. This can mean we either avoid necessary conflict altogether (letting problems fester) or feel especially rattled when conflict does arise because it goes against our conditioning.\n\nAccording to [2025 research from Workplace Options](https://consulting.workplaceoptions.com/newsroom/workplace-stress-conflict-and-performance-pressure-are-rising-in-2025/), workplace stress, interpersonal conflict, and performance pressure are all on the rise. Return-to-office mandates have further fueled tensions, with 74% of HR leaders noting an increase in disputes according to a [Gartner study](https://www.gartner.com/en/human-resources/trends/top-priorities-for-hr-leaders-cpc?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=RM_NA_2020_HRL_CPC_LG1_ALWAYS-ON-2020&utm_adgroup=186920103825&utm_term=current%20trends%20in%20hr&ad=780945164859&matchtype=p&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=10982252563&gbraid=0AAAAAC5-i9Tn7H_wUXT6RfvaiZjpW3HTP&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OnJBhD-ARIsAPV51xPX4sMijih7zPeKmZWok6-S-GdmqQZ-Veun2_2drcvNtJmoZE2S_v8aAvE-EALw_wcB). If your workplace feels more contentious than it used to, you're not imagining it.\n\n## The Real Cost of Unresolved Conflict\n\nLet's be clear about what's at stake when workplace conflict goes unaddressed.\n\n### Your mental health takes a hit.   \nOver 10 million employees who experience workplace conflict also report suffering from depression, stress, or anxiety as a result. The CIPD found that those who experienced conflict had less [confidence](https://www.workingal.com/articles/confidence-gap-women-underestimate-their-abilities) in senior leaders, less trust in organizational integrity, and lower perceptions of their managers—all factors that compound [workplace stress](https://www.workingal.com/articles/french-women-workplace).\n\n### Your productivity suffers.   \n\nWhen you're embroiled in conflict, it's nearly impossible to focus. You spend mental energy ruminating, strategizing conversations, or simply avoiding the person you're clashing with. The CPP Global report found that this distraction costs U.S. businesses $359 billion in lost productivity annually.\n\n### Your career can stall.   \nOngoing conflict affects how others perceive you, regardless of who's \"at fault.\" It can impact your reputation, your relationships with [leadership](https://www.workingal.com/articles/miranda-priestly-management-style), and your opportunities for advancement. [Research shows](https://www.innerbody.com/understanding-workplace-conflict-survey) that 51% of employees have wanted to quit their jobs due to conflict, and about 5% actually do resign each year because of it.\n\n### Your physical health is affected.   \nChronic workplace conflict doesn't just stay at the office. The stress follows you home, affecting sleep, appetite, and overall wellbeing. The [American Institute of Stress reports](https://www.stress.org/news/what-the-latest-reports-say-about-stress-in-america/) that 83% of U.S. workers experience daily work-related stress, with 76% saying it adversely affects their personal relationships.\n\n## Strategies for Handling Workplace Conflict Professionally\n\nHere's where things get actionable. These aren't just theoretical concepts—they're practical approaches you can start using immediately.\n\n![colleagues having conflicts](https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_handle_conflicts_at_work_a87bc89b4b.webp)\n\n### Lead with Curiosity, Not Assumptions\n\nWhen conflict arises, our brains immediately construct a narrative about the other person's intentions—usually an unflattering one. She's trying to undermine me. He doesn't respect my time. They're deliberately making this harder.\n\nThe reality is usually more nuanced. People act out of their own pressures, fears, and constraints that you may know nothing about. Before escalating (even mentally), try approaching the situation with genuine curiosity. What might be driving their behavior? What pressures are they under? What might they be misunderstanding about your position?\n\nThis isn't about excusing bad behavior—it's about getting accurate information before you respond. A [colleague](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-toxic-phrases-used-by-colleagues-with-a-huge-ego) who seems dismissive might actually be overwhelmed. A manager who appears to be micromanaging might be under pressure from above. You don't have to accept poor treatment, but understanding context helps you respond more effectively.\n\n### Communicate Directly and Professionally\n\nHere's something that might feel uncomfortable: most workplace conflict persists because people avoid [direct communication](https://www.workingal.com/articles/4-hacks-for-effective-communication-in-the-workplace). We hint, we vent to others, we send passive-aggressive emails, we hope problems will resolve themselves. They rarely do.\n\nDirect communication doesn't mean aggressive confrontation. It means clearly stating your perspective, your needs, and your proposed solutions in a professional manner. Use \"I\" statements to avoid putting the other person on the defensive: \"I felt frustrated when the deadline changed without notice\" rather than \"You keep changing deadlines and it's impossible to work with you.\"\n\nChoose your timing wisely—don't have difficult conversations when either party is already stressed or pressed for time. And whenever possible, have these conversations in person or via video call rather than through email, where tone is easily misinterpreted.\n\n### Document Everything (Strategically)\n\nThis isn't about building a legal case (though it can serve that purpose if needed). Documentation creates clarity. When you put agreements, decisions, and expectations in writing, you eliminate the \"I thought you meant\" conversations that fuel so much workplace conflict.\n\nAfter verbal discussions about tasks or responsibilities, send a brief follow-up email summarizing what was agreed upon. Keep records of project timelines, deliverables, and communications. Use [project management tools](https://www.workingal.com/articles/remote-work-essentials) that create clear accountability.\n\nDocumentation also protects you if conflicts escalate. Having a paper trail of your contributions, communications, and attempts to resolve issues can be invaluable if you need to involve HR or leadership.\n\n### Set Boundaries Without Burning Bridges\n\nOne of the most important skills for managing workplace conflict is [setting clear boundaries](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-set-and-preserve-boundaries) while maintaining professional relationships. This is particularly challenging for women, who often face pushback for behavior that's accepted (or even rewarded) in male colleagues.\n\nBoundaries aren't about building walls—they're about clearly communicating what you will and won't accept. This might mean declining to engage in gossip and [drama](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-drama-llama-10-signs-you-are-addicted-to-drama) about colleagues, pushing back (professionally) on unrealistic deadlines, or refusing to absorb someone else's poor planning.\n\nThe key is consistency and calm. You don't need to justify your boundaries extensively or apologize for having them. \"I'm not able to take on additional projects this week\" is a complete sentence. So is \"I prefer to discuss [performance](https://www.workingal.com/articles/year-end-review-documentation) feedback in our one-on-ones rather than in group settings.\"\n\n### Practice Strategic Patience\n\nNot every conflict requires immediate action. Sometimes the wisest response is to wait—to let [emotions settle](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-control-your-negative-emotions) (yours and theirs), to gather more information, or simply to see if the situation resolves itself.\n\nThis is different from avoidance. Avoidance means ignoring problems you should address. Strategic patience means recognizing that not every slight needs a response, not every disagreement needs a resolution, and not every difficult person needs to be confronted.\n\nAsk yourself: Will this matter in a month? In a year? Is this a pattern or an isolated incident? Am I the right person to address this, or should it go through other channels? Sometimes the best response to conflict is simply to let it go—especially for minor issues that don't affect your core work or wellbeing.\n\n### Know When to Escalate\n\nWhile many conflicts can and should be resolved directly between the parties involved, some situations require bringing in reinforcements. It's appropriate to escalate when:\n\n* The conflict involves harassment, discrimination, or ethical violations  \n* Direct attempts at resolution have failed repeatedly  \n* The conflict is significantly impacting your work or well-being  \n* There's a power imbalance that makes direct resolution unsafe or impossible  \n* You need documentation for legal or HR purposes\n\nWhen you do escalate, come prepared with specific examples, documentation, and a clear sense of what outcome you're seeking. Avoid [emotional venting](https://www.workingal.com/articles/are-you-emotionally-intelligent-your-vocabulary-can-reveal-it)—stick to facts and focus on how the situation is affecting work.\n\n### Invest in Your Own Conflict Resolution Skills\n\n![colleagues having conflicts at work](https://assets.workingal.com/how_to_handle_conflicts_at_work_2c6485049c.webp)\n\nAccording to research, 98% of employees consider conflict resolution training crucial, and 83% believe it enhances their effectiveness. Yet 72% of organizations don't have a formal policy for dealing with workplace conflicts, which means you're largely on your own when it comes to developing these skills.\n\nConsider this an investment in your career. Read [books on negotiation](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-books-that-every-working-gal-should-read) and difficult conversations. Practice active listening. Work with a coach or therapist on communication patterns that might be contributing to conflict. The better you become at navigating disagreements, the more valuable you become professionally—and the less conflict will derail your wellbeing.\n\n## Protecting Your Mental Health During Workplace Conflict\n\nEven when you handle conflict skillfully, it takes a toll. Here's how to protect your wellbeing during difficult periods.\n\n**Create clear boundaries between work and personal life.** When you're dealing with ongoing conflict, it's tempting to ruminate constantly. Set specific times to think about work issues, and practice redirecting your thoughts when they spiral outside those times.\n\n**Build a support system outside work.** Venting to colleagues can feel satisfying, but it often makes situations worse and can come back to haunt you. Instead, process difficult emotions with [friends](https://www.workingal.com/articles/how-to-maintain-friendships-when-busy), family, or a therapist who can offer perspective without workplace consequences.\n\n**Don't neglect the basics.** Sleep, [exercise](https://www.workingal.com/articles/5-yoga-poses-for-immediate-stress-relief), and nutrition all affect your ability to handle stress. When you're navigating conflict, these aren't optional—they're essential.\n\nRemember, your worth isn't determined by workplace dynamics. Difficult colleagues, toxic managers, and unfair situations don't reflect your value or capabilities. Maintain perspective on who you are beyond this particular job and this particular conflict.\n\n## When the Conflict Can't Be Resolved\n\nSometimes, despite your best efforts, workplace conflict proves intractable. The culture is toxic. The person you're clashing with has no interest in resolution. Leadership enables or ignores problematic behavior.\n\nIn these cases, your options narrow to acceptance or departure. Acceptance means making peace with imperfect circumstances while protecting your wellbeing—understanding that this situation isn't going to change, and deciding you can live with it (at least for now). Departure means recognizing that some situations simply aren't worth your energy, health, or career trajectory.\n\nNeither choice is [failure](https://www.workingal.com/articles/the-art-of-failure-how-to-turn-mistakes-into-actual-success). Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is stay and set boundaries. Sometimes it's to leave and find an environment where you can thrive. Only you can make that calculation.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### How do I deal with conflict at work with my boss?\n\nConflict with a manager requires extra care because of the power imbalance. Focus on understanding their perspective and priorities, communicate your concerns professionally using \"I\" statements, and pick your battles carefully. Document important conversations in writing. If direct resolution fails, consider whether HR or your boss's supervisor might be appropriate resources—keeping in mind that escalation carries risks.\n\n### Should I confront a coworker who is difficult to work with?\n\nNot every difficult coworker needs to be confronted. For minor annoyances, strategic patience or simple boundary-setting may be more effective. For ongoing issues that affect your work, a direct but professional conversation is often necessary. Approach it as problem-solving rather than confrontation: \"I've noticed we seem to have different approaches to X. Can we find a way to work together more smoothly?\"\n\n### How do I know if workplace conflict is worth addressing or if I should let it go?   \nConsider: Is this affecting your ability to do your job? Is it a pattern or a one-time incident? Will addressing it likely improve the situation, or might it make things worse? If the conflict is minor, isolated, and not affecting your work or wellbeing, letting it go is often the wisest choice. If it's ongoing, significant, or escalating, addressing it directly is usually necessary.\n\n### What if the person I'm in conflict with won't engage in resolution?   \nYou can't force someone to participate in conflict resolution. If direct attempts fail, focus on what you can control: your own responses, your boundaries, and your documentation. If their behavior is significantly problematic, escalation to management or HR may be necessary. Sometimes the only resolution is acceptance that this relationship will remain difficult.\n\n### How can I prevent workplace conflict before it starts?   \nClear communication, realistic expectations, and strong relationships are the best preventive measures. Be explicit about your working style and preferences. Address small issues before they become big ones. Build genuine connections with colleagues so there's goodwill to draw on when disagreements arise. And develop your emotional intelligence—the ability to manage your own emotions and navigate others' effectively.\n\n","how-to-avoid-conflicts-at-work-1","how to handle conflict at work, workplace conflict resolution, dealing with difficult coworkers, professional conflict management, workplace disagreements, conflict resolution strategies","Workplace conflict affecting your job? Learn how to handle conflict at work professionally with these research-backed strategies. 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