Festing

Festing, a less common term, describes the act of procrastinating or delaying a task, project, or commitment, often involving aimless or unproductive activity. It implies a conscious or unconscious resistance to the intended work, characterized by a shifting focus, diversion, or dawdling. The term can also indicate a deliberate avoidance of a specific activity due to fear, indecision, or simply a lack of enthusiasm. The 'festing' can manifest in various forms, from surfing the internet to engaging in tangential tasks that bear no relation to the main task. It often results in a sense of guilt or anxiety for the task not being completed, with a realization of the time wastage.

Festing meaning with examples

• Sarah knew she needed to write her report, but spent the entire morning 'festing'. She started by cleaning her desk, then replying to old emails, and even rearranged her entire bookshelf. By lunchtime, the report remained untouched, and she felt a pang of guilt about the precious hours spent 'festing' instead of working, she knew this 'festing' would set her back.
• The team was supposed to brainstorm ideas for the new project, but the meeting devolved into 'festing'. Instead of generating viable concepts, they gossiped, reminisced about past events, and debated trivial matters, all the while consciously avoiding the core task. It became clear that the whole group was 'festing', so the task was still undone by the end of the work day.
• Mark found himself 'festing' before starting his taxes. He decided to clean his entire house, reorganized his sock drawer, and even experimented with new recipes. The actual tax return remained unaddressed until the last possible moment. The 'festing' brought some satisfaction, but ultimately increased his stress levels once the deadline approached and he realized he did not have enough time.
• Despite his looming deadline, John continued to 'fest' on social media. He browsed through countless feeds, watched hours of videos, and replied to random comments, putting off the required work that required an extra long time of focused attention and intense work. He knew he was 'festing', but felt powerless to stop, knowing the work load would be heavy and more hours would be required.