Procrastination & Productivity with Chris Abdey

If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or frustrated with yourself for putting things off—even when you want to get them done—this episode is for you.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/chris-abdey

In this Mental Health Monday live conversation, MommaFoxFire sat down with procrastination coach and mental wellness advocate Chris Abdey to talk all things procrastination, productivity and how our brains can both help and hurt us when it comes to getting stuff done. Chris brings a real and relatable perspective, sharing how his own journey from burnout and 80-hour workweeks led him to reevaluate his priorities, leave Nicaragua and eventually become a coach helping others untangle their habits.

Chris kicked things off by explaining that procrastination is way more common than most people admit... and it’s not about laziness. It’s often about fear, discomfort or feeling overwhelmed. He laid out the five procrastination personalities: the perfectionist, the worrier, the dreamer, the crisis-maker and the defier, each with their own patterns and mental roadblocks. Chris made it clear that procrastination doesn’t mean you’re broken. It usually means your brain is trying to keep you safe or comfortable, even if that means tanking your to-do list.

A standout moment came when Chris explained how our brains can confuse thinking about doing something with actually doing it. You imagine the whole project, feel good about the mental image and then your brain decides you’re done... even if you haven’t lifted a finger. He also got into how our brains flag certain tasks as “dangerous” or “draining,” and suddenly, just thinking about doing the task makes you feel exhausted. Sometimes, that’s not you needing rest. It’s your brain resisting.

MommaFoxFire shared her own relatable examples - laundry, dishes, and avoiding cold weather - all things that can sneakily trigger procrastination. Chris emphasized that figuring out the one part of a task that trips you up (like folding socks or going out in the cold) is key to working around it. Procrastination is often about one small trigger, not the whole task.

They also talked about the pressure to always be productive in today’s hustle-heavy world. Chris said a major form of procrastination he sees is around self-worth... how people will do things for others but not for themselves. That really hit home in the conversation about parents, especially moms, who put themselves last.

The solution? Self-compassion, creating routines based on what actually works for you, and learning to listen to your own energy and preferences. Chris shared simple strategies like changing your internal language (“I have to” vs. “I choose to”) and tying new habits to existing ones to build consistency.

At the end of the episode, Chris offered a free productivity session for listeners and reminded everyone: you’re not lazy, you’re not broken and you can figure this out - one step, one small win at a time.