7 Disney Songs that Explain my Process of Procrastination
I’ve had my fair share of papers to write this semester, and I have procrastinated on every single one of them. Since procrastination is clearly a big part of my life, I wanted to try and explain the stages I go through as I experience it. However, instead of just making a boring list, I thought I’d do something a little more interesting. That’s right. Here’s the seven Disney songs that explain my process of procrastination:
1. Starting the Paper
Song: “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”– Mulan (1998)
Important Lyrics: Let’s get down to business/To defeat the Huns…(Be a Man) We must be swift as the coursing river/(Be a Man) With all the force of a great typhoon/(Be a Man) With all the strength of a raging fire/Mysterious as the dark side of the moon
Reason: I’m always enthusiastic when I first start working on a paper. I sometimes even like to imagine that finishing an essay is just as important to my class and grades as climbing a wooden pole with weights attached to your arms is to defeating some Huns.
2. The Inevitable Distraction
Song: “Hakuna Matata” – Lion King (1994)
Important Lyrics: Hakuna Matata/What a wonderful phrase/Hakuna Matata/Ain’t no passing craze/It means no worries/For the rest of your days/It’s our problem free philosophy/Hakuna Matata
Reason: Once I’ve made a little progress on my paper, I start to feel overly confident that I can finish it in no time. Since I’m sure of my self, I’m feeling worry free and usually take a quick Facebook, Tumblr or StumbleUpon break.
3. Procrastination
Song: “Married Life” – Up (2009)
Important Lyrics: There are actually no lyrics in “Married Life”; this is the instrumental piece that accompanies the montage of Carl and Ellie’s love.
Reason: This, especially when listened to while viewing the infamous montage, is one of the pieces of music that causes me to cry every time I listen to it. Another thing that makes me want to cry every time – realizing that I’ve accidentally taken a 3 hour break instead of a 30 minute one.
4. Getting Back on Track
Song: “Go the Distance” – Hercules (1997)
Important Lyrics: I will find my way/I can go the distance/I’ll be there someday/If I can be strong/I know every mile/Will be worth my while/I will go most anywhere
Reason: After I’m done wallowing in self pity, I get focused and figure out how I can get my paper done with the highest grade possible in the least amount of time and with the most amount of sleep. Sure, it’s not exactly the same as going on a quest to become a true hero and put on 50 pounds of muscle mass, but I think it’s close enough.
5. The Sugar High
Song: “I’ve Got no Strings” – Pinocchio (1940)
Important Lyrics: I’ve got no strings/To Hold me down/To make me fret, or make me frown/I had strings/But now I’m free/There are no strings on me
Reason: It doesn’t matter if it is 5-Hour Energy, Monster or Skittles, this is the point in the night where I’m crashing fast and need a quick pick up. Of course, once the sugar or caffeine has actually kicked in, I feel like I can finish anything, whether it be my paper or the three bags of chips I bought from Rambler Room earlier in the night.
6. The Finishing Touches
Song: “You Can Fly!” – Peter Pan (1953)
Lyrics to Focus on: It’s a very simple place/You can do what the birdies can/At least it’s worth a try/You can fly! You can fly!/You can fly! You can fly!
Reason: Perhaps it’s because I can see the sunrise. Or maybe it’s just because I’m delirious from lack of sleep; either way, I fly through the rest of my paper, usually finishing it within an hour of my caffeine and junk food binge.
7. Turning in the Paper
Song: “Circle of Life” – Lion King (1994)
Important Lyrics: It’s the Circle of Life/And it moves us all/Through despair and hope/Through faith and love/Til we find out place/On the path unwinding/In the Circle/The Circle of Life
Reason: This song finishes the list of seven Disney songs that explain my process of procrastination. That is because, even if it’s only from getting an hour and a half of sleep, as soon as I turn in that paper, I start to feel connected to everything in the university and in the universe. This includes my bed, which I usually find myself climbing into for a nice nap after class.
Picture of Mushu & Carl and Ellie’s Mailbox – Attributed to Loren Javier, Picture of Timon – Attributed to Sam Lavi, Picture of Hercules and Meg – Attributed to Robert Simmons, Picture of Pinocchio – Attributed to Judy Malley, Picture of Peter Pan and the Darling Children – Attributed to Missy Martinez, Picture of Simba and Rafiki – Attributed to Jeff Krause