Procrastination, as we’ve discussed, is a key player in my avoidance strategy. But it’s not the only tool in my arsenal. I have a whole collection of distraction techniques. Each technique is carefully honed to perfection. They are designed to divert my attention away from anything that feels challenging, uncomfortable, or simply… boring.

The internet, of course, is a goldmine of distractions. Social media, news websites, online shopping, streaming services – the possibilities for diverting my attention are endless. I can spend hours scrolling through feeds. I often watch videos or browse online stores. I do all this in the name of “taking a break” or “just checking something quickly.”

But my distraction techniques extend beyond the digital realm. I can become suddenly obsessed with cleaning a particular corner of my apartment. I might start organizing my bookshelves by color. Alternatively, I could embark on a spontaneous and entirely unnecessary DIY project. Anything to avoid the task at hand.

Even seemingly productive activities can become distractions if they’re being used to avoid something more important. I might spend hours meticulously planning a project. I research every possible detail. I create elaborate spreadsheets, all while avoiding the actual work of starting the project itself.

The underlying motivation behind these distractions is the same as with procrastination: a desire to avoid discomfort. Distraction provides a temporary escape. It helps avoid confronting the source of my unease. This may be due to the anxiety of facing a challenging task. It could also be the fear of failure. Another reason might be the unpleasantness of dealing with something boring or tedious.

The problem, of course, is that these distractions are ultimately temporary. The task I’m avoiding doesn’t magically disappear, and the underlying anxiety often intensifies the longer I put it off. The challenge is to recognize these distraction techniques as avoidance strategies. It’s important to develop healthier ways of coping with the discomfort they are designed to mask.