The emotion most strongly associated with procrastination is guilt.

According to the existential psychologist Rollo May, guilt does not result from violating a generally accepted moral code; it results from not approaching or striving towards our full potential.

Our feelings of guilt when we procrastinate are not specific to the task we're avoiding, although we like to think it's just that awful task.

The guilt we feel about chronic procrastination is the result of not living up to our potential, not authentically engaging in our own lives.

Guilt arises from the fact that I can see myself as the one who can choose or fail to choose.