Why I’m Always Running Late and How It All Began

Ever find yourself rushing out the door with only one shoe on? Or showing up to a brunch 15 minutes after everyone else has already ordered pancakes? If so, you’re not alone—and trust me, I get it.

Running late isn’t just a bad habit for me—it’s practically a lifestyle. But like most things in life, there’s a story behind it. Let’s rewind a bit and take a look at how my habit of always being late started and what I’ve learned along the way.

Where It All Started: My Tardy Beginnings

It didn’t happen overnight. Looking back, this whole “late” thing started when I was a kid. I wasn’t born five minutes behind—my parents took care of that by showing up to the hospital early—but I did grow up in a house where time was more of a loose suggestion than a strict rule.

My mom? A true believer in “just five more minutes.” My dad? Always juggling three things at once. We meant well, but clocks were more decor than functional tools. You could say I was raised in a home where fashionably late wasn’t just accepted—it was expected.

The School Years: A Timeline of Tardiness

Fast forward to my school days, and it only got worse. I wasn’t late because I hated school—I actually loved it (well, most of it anyway). But I had this incredible ability to underestimate how long things took.

• “I can shower, dress, and eat breakfast in 10 minutes.” Spoiler alert: I could not.
• “The bus stop’s only a two-minute walk.” Unless I tripped over my untied shoelaces—again.
• “One more YouTube video won’t hurt.” An hour later, I’d watched five and missed the bus.

My teachers were patient at first. Then, not so much. My homeroom instructor once told me, “Time waits for no one.” I remember thinking, “Yeah, but maybe it can wait just a little bit for me?”

The Psychology Behind Running Late

Is there science behind people like me? Turns out, yes.

Psychologists say chronic lateness can come from optimism. We believe we can fit a million things into ten minutes. Others say it’s about time perception—some of us literally experience time differently. It feels like we have more of it than we actually do.

And then there’s the old reliable: procrastination. Why do things now if you can stress about it 10 minutes later?

Common Traits of People Who Are Always Late

• Overestimating abilities (e.g. “I can COMPLETELY clean my apartment in 15 mins if the playlist is right.”)
• Getting distracted easily (hello, rabbit holes of fridge-cleaning or Instagram scrolling)
• Being bad at transitions (switching from one task to another takes way longer than we think)
• Living in the moment (sounds romantic until you’re rushing to that dinner reservation… again)

Sound familiar?

Life with Late Habits: The Highs & Lows

The thing is, being late doesn’t always mean you’re lazy or irresponsible. In fact, some latecomers are actually high achievers. They just struggle to manage their time effectively.

But make no mistake—it comes with challenges:

• Frantic mornings full of spilled coffee and unmatched socks
• Embarrassing entrances during meetings or social events
• Guilt and shame when others feel disrespected

I’ve missed flights, forgotten birthdays, and even gotten stuck outside a wedding because I was 20 minutes past the “ceremony starts at” time. (The doors literally closed on me.)

Trying to Be Better: Real-Life Fixes That Sometimes Work

Here’s the part where I’d love to tell you I figured it all out and now I’m always on time. That would make for a great movie ending, right? But the truth is, I’m still a work in progress.

However, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way:

1. The “Reverse Engineering” Trick

I now try to work backward from start times. If I need to be somewhere at 6 PM and it takes 30 minutes to get there, I tell myself I need to leave by 5:15. That gives me wiggle room and tricks my brain into urgency earlier.

2. The “Ready the Night Before” Method

Setting out clothes, prepping meals, and packing bags beforehand saves me from scrambling in the morning. I used to laugh at people who did this. Now I thank them for the tip.

3. The “Buffer Zone” Concept

I try to add 15-20 minutes extra to every “get there” plan. If I need to be at the airport at 2 PM, I act like I need to be there at 1:40. It doesn’t always work—but at least I’m closer to being on time.

4. The “Be Honest About Time” Exercise

I’ve started tracking how long things actually take. For example, I learned that my morning routine isn’t 20 minutes—it’s 47, give or take. Knowing actual time helps me deal with realistic planning.

Can Latecomers Really Change?

Absolutely—if we want to. Change won’t happen overnight. Honestly, I still show up late here and there. But these days, I make more of an effort. Why?

• Because I value other people’s time more
• Because I want to be seen as reliable
• Because I’m tired of running with one shoe on

Most importantly, I’ve started to recognize that being on time isn’t about rigid control—it’s about respect. For myself and others.

The Takeaway: More Than Just the Clock

If you’re someone who’s always running late, don’t beat yourself up. You’re not a bad person. You’re not lazy or careless. You’re probably just juggling life like the rest of us—trying to squeeze in a little more than the clock allows.

The good news? You can make small tweaks that make a big difference. Set earlier reminders. Add extra time cushions. And most of all, be honest with yourself about how long things really take.

As for me, I might not always be five minutes early, but I’m working on not being 15 minutes late. It’s a start.

And hey, if I happen to roll in late to something important, at least I’ve made peace with it—just don’t close the wedding doors on me again.

What About You?

Are you chronically late too? Or have you overcome your tardy tendencies? Drop a comment and share your story. Let’s help each other get places on time—preferably with matching socks.

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