I kept telling myself I needed to create an app to help people find their own happiness. I knew that just doing five or six small things daily, simple, mindful habits, could start to shift lives in subtle but powerful ways. So, what was I waiting for?

The idea wouldn’t leave me alone. That constant voice in my head: “You said you were going to do this. So… what’s happening?” And yet, procrastination had become my best friend.

On the journey to launching HappyMe, I realised we procrastinate for a number of reasons. Let’s explore a few.

Fear of Failure?

This is a big one. Many of us, myself included, are terrified of failing. But what exactly are we afraid of?

Often, it comes down to judgement. Why do we place so much importance on what others think? Is it evolutionary, linked to survival and acceptance? If we were rejected, would we be safe? These fears can be deeply rooted in past experiences like bullying or feeling unworthy.

And yet, will we ever really know what others think of us? One person sees your effort with kindness; another with jealousy. Meanwhile, your inner critic might be doing the most damage of all.

So, what’s the worst that could happen if you try to create something amazing? Isn’t just trying something of value in itself?

Over the years, I’ve learned it truly doesn’t matter what others think, and often, they won’t tell you the truth anyway. There’s no such thing as failure, only feedback. Think of all the authors, artists, and athletes who kept going despite rejection or doubt. Without their persistence, the world would be less beautiful and inspiring.

Tenacity wins. Like a dog with a bone, it might take time, but I’ll get there. And honestly, most of us don’t even know why we fear failure. Is it fear of hearing “I told you so”? Probably. That kind of discomfort brings us to the next point.

Discomfort?

As humans, we run toward comfort and avoid discomfort, but it’s in the discomfort that growth happens.

We react so quickly to feelings, rarely pausing to ask: Are these thoughts even real? If we stopped letting emotions rule every decision and instead sat with them, observed them, we might discover valuable lessons hiding in the discomfort.

Take hunger. People fear feeling it, so they eat to avoid that uncomfortable sensation. But hunger is just a signal, it's meant to guide us. If we always block discomfort, we miss out on learning from it.

The same goes for emotional discomfort. With HappyMe, we’ve seen first-hand that people struggle to commit to small daily habits, even if they only take 15 minutes, because they want to avoid the discomfort of change.

Self-Sabotage?

This one is powerful. Why do we sabotage ourselves?

Joe Dispenza says it’s because our old habits are so deeply wired into our neural pathways that change feels unsafe. We default to what’s familiar, even if it hurts us.

Procrastination is often just self-sabotage in disguise. We know what’s good for us, but we still choose what’s not. That sneaky inner voice says: “It’s not that bad,” or “Do it next week.” So, we give in.

But here’s the truth: you have to act now. Sit with the discomfort, listen to what it’s teaching you, and focus on the reward. Push through it again and again until it loses its power.

That’s where HappyMe comes in. Using the app daily helps rewire your brain. Dump your thoughts. Track your mood. Practice gratitude. It all adds up and strengthens your sense of self-worth.

In a recent parenting class, I asked, “Who makes you feel important?” After a long silence, someone finally said, “Nobody.” That was a wake-up call. We’re all so busy we forget to make ourselves feel important. Let’s change that, starting now.

Laziness?

I’ve wrestled with the concept of laziness. Are people really lazy, or are we just stuck?

Society constantly offers us distractions: fast food, social media, gaming, endless TV streaming. It’s easy to get comfortable, but that comfort often leads to disconnection, stress, and even depression.

We aren’t designed to live like that. We need sunlight, connection, movement, rest, peace, and love to thrive.

When we spend too much time in a low-energy state (like the Alpha brainwave state associated with daydreaming), it becomes hard to shift gears. Creativity may spike briefly, but long-term it leaves us foggy and sluggish.

And let’s not forget what we put into our bodies. We’re made mostly of water, so hydration, food, and the chemicals we ingest all affect our energy levels.

But let’s be clear: not all rest is laziness. One client told me he felt lazy for spending an hour a day playing video games. But we all need downtime. Balance is key.

So, ask yourself: Are you lazy, or just in need of better fuel, stronger boundaries, and a shift in routine?

Too Busy?

This one might be the biggest myth of all. “I just don’t have the time.”

I’ve heard this countless times as a therapist. But it’s rarely about time, it’s about choice.

Try this: Track how many hours a day you spend scrolling on social media, watching TV, playing games. You might be shocked. We all have 168 hours each week. The average person sleeps 7 hours a night and works 40 hours a week, leaving plenty of time for self-care, growth, or rest.

With my clients, we often break down their 168 hours to see where time is going and whether their actions align with what they really want.

One student told me, “I study for hours but never get anywhere.” But he was studying with the TV on and his phone in hand. That’s not studying, that’s multitasking your way to frustration.

So, ask yourself: What am I choosing right now? And what will that choice give me in the long run?

Be creative with how you spend your 168 hours. You might just redesign your life.

So, Are You In or Out?

Procrastination comes in many forms, fear, discomfort, sabotage, distraction, but it all leads to the same result: nothing changes.

So, here’s the challenge: Do it now. Start small. Stick with it. Your future self will thank you.

Subscribe to HappyMe today, use it daily and stop wondering if you're worth it or ready. You are. And in six months’ time, you’ll be so glad you took that first step.

Here’s to getting things done.

We are proud of you

Mell and the team at HappyMe