Let Go to Let In: Why Letting Go Feels So Hard
Featured Guest: Dr. Christine Li, Procrastination Coach and Clinical Psychologist
Freebie: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/clutter
Website: https://procrastinationcoach.com
Instagram: @procrastinationcoach
TikTok: @procrastinationcoach
Podcast: Make Time For Success
Why Procrastination and Clutter Aren’t What You Think
Allison Ly and Dr. Christine Li to explore the topic of procrastination and what that might look like for adults with immigrant parents. There are factors contributing to procrastination may go far beyond just the inaction - there’s underlying history, responsibilities or expectations that are playing a role.
The conversation weaves through mental, emotional, and physical patterns that many second-generation adults experience.
From scarcity mindsets and guilt to clutter, procrastination, and constant low-grade stress. Not as personal flaws, but maybe as survival strategies that once made sense.
Dr. Li shares how procrastination, overwhelm, and clutter are often signals of emotional overload. In this episode, we unpack how cultural expectations, family dynamics, and the pressure to not disappoint can quietly shape how adults with immigrant parents relate to physical things, time, space, and themselves.
The episode also touches on what it looks like to do things differently without rejecting your parents or your culture. How letting go doesn’t have to mean abandoning connection. And how learning to tolerate discomfort, listen to your body, and start small can open up more ease, clarity, and self-trust.
This is a great conversation to bring about awareness. About noticing the weight you’re carrying through procrastination. And about realizing that there may be more freedom available than you were ever taught to expect.
This Conversation Is for You If…
You feel overwhelmed but don’t know why
You struggle with procrastination or clutter (and maybe feel shame about it)
You grew up in a scarcity-driven household
You want things to be different without feeling like you are abandoning your family
You’re tired of disappointing yourself to keep the peace
🎧 Listen to the full episode HERE
More about Dr. Christine Li:
Dr. Christine Li is a New York–based clinical psychologist and productivity coach known as the “Procrastination Coach.” She helps midlife women transform clutter, stress, and self-doubt into clarity, confidence, and ease. Through her programs and her Make Time for Success podcast, she teaches powerful mindset and habit shifts that lead to real momentum. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Li blends psychology and practical tools to help people move past resistance and into flow. Her mission is simple: to help you feel lighter, focused, and free to thrive.
👉 Grab Dr. Li’s Freebie on Clutter: https://maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/clutter
👉 Listen to Make Time for Success Podcast: https://www.maketimeforsuccesspodcast.com/
Allison’s Free Resources:
Stop Spiraling in Guilt Cheatsheet For Setting Boundaries: https://heyallisonly.myflodesk.com/cheatsheet
3 Easy Ways to Tackle Your Negative Self Talk: https://heyallisonly.myflodesk.com/start
Get my Free Quickstart Guide to Help You Help Your Loved Ones: https://heyallisonly.myflodesk.com/resource
Get my weekly emails for actionable tips, tools, relatable stories for Adults with Immigrant Parents: https://heyallisonly.com/email
Episode Timeline:
00:00 The Invisible Role You’ve Been Carrying
03:58 What Being “Second Gen” Really Means
06:08 Family Expectations vs Your Life
12:22 Boundaries Without Guilt
14:59 The Real Cost of Keeping the Peace
16:41 How This Quietly Affects You
22:35 Why Boundaries Strengthen Relationships
25:10 What Happens When You Don’t Set Boundaries
33:05 What’s Really Under the Conflict
34:36 Support for Adults with Immigrant Parents
