National Be Late for Something Day
September 5
About National Be Late for Something Day
National Be Late for Something Day is observed every year on 5 September. The day was created by the Procrastinators Club of America, an organisation founded by Les Waas in Philadelphia in 1956, and was designated as a formal observance by the mid-1970s. Its purpose is to encourage people to slow down, step away from rigid schedules, and give themselves permission to arrive somewhere late, and to use that extra time to enjoy their surroundings.
What Is National Be Late for Something Day?
National Be Late for Something Day is an annual observance that celebrates the art of taking one’s time. It is not a licence for persistent tardiness or professional negligence: rather, it is a lighthearted reminder that the relentless pace of modern life does not have to govern every hour of every day. On this date, participants are encouraged to be intentionally late for at least one thing, whether that is a meeting, a social engagement, or simply arriving at a destination, and to use the time saved to pause, breathe, and notice the world around them.
The Procrastinators Club of America, which created the day, has always approached its mission with a strong sense of humour. The club operates on the principle that procrastination is not always a flaw: sometimes, taking longer than expected to act leads to better outcomes, greater enjoyment, or a calmer state of mind.
When Is National Be Late for Something Day?
National Be Late for Something Day falls on 5 September every year. In 2026, this is a Saturday, which makes it an ideal occasion to sleep in slightly later than usual, take a longer breakfast, or wander to wherever you were headed without watching the clock.
Why It Matters
The modern world places enormous value on punctuality, productivity, and efficiency. While these qualities have their place, the pressure to meet every deadline, attend every meeting on time, and constantly optimise how we spend our hours can take a toll on mental and physical wellbeing. Chronic stress related to time pressure is associated with a wide range of health problems, including anxiety, poor sleep, and cardiovascular strain.
National Be Late for Something Day offers a gentle counterpoint to this culture. As the Procrastinators Club founder Les Waas put it: “Most people think they don’t have time to stop and smell the roses. This day tries to alleviate that factor.” The day is a reminder that relationships, experiences, and moments of quiet observation often matter more than strict adherence to a schedule.
There is also a growing body of research suggesting that structured downtime and unhurried thinking can support creativity and problem-solving. Giving the mind space to wander, rather than rushing constantly from task to task, can lead to insights and ideas that would not emerge under pressure.
How to Get Involved
- Be late for something. Choose one commitment for the day and give yourself permission to arrive a little after the agreed time. Use the extra minutes to walk more slowly, notice your surroundings, or simply breathe.
- Take a longer breakfast. Instead of eating on the go, sit down for a proper breakfast without rushing. Read a book, listen to music, or simply enjoy the quiet.
- Go for an unhurried walk. Leave the phone in your pocket, avoid setting a route or a target distance, and let yourself wander for as long as feels right.
- Reconnect with someone. Use the slower pace of the day to catch up properly with a friend or family member you have not had time to speak to recently.
- Do a hobby at half speed. Whatever hobby you enjoy, pursue it today without a goal or a time limit. Draw, read, cook, or garden simply for the pleasure of doing it.
- Share the spirit online. Post about your experience of slowing down using #BeLateForSomethingDay and encourage others to do the same.
If the idea of embracing procrastination appeals to you, Fight Procrastination Day on the first Wednesday of September offers the opposite perspective, celebrating action and momentum for those who prefer to tackle things head-on.
History of National Be Late for Something Day
The Procrastinators Club of America was founded in Philadelphia in 1956 by Les Waas, an advertising executive with a gift for comedic campaigns. The club attracted members who shared a fondness for taking things at their own pace, and it quickly developed a reputation for its tongue-in-cheek approach to civic life.
In 1966, the club famously organised a protest against the War of 1812, gathering members to demonstrate against a conflict that had ended over 150 years earlier. The stunt became one of the organisation’s most celebrated pieces of performative late action, perfectly encapsulating the club’s philosophy that the right time is simply whenever you get around to it.
In 1976, the club presented the Betsy Ross Bridge in Philadelphia with its “Award to Come Later”, acknowledging the bridge’s significantly delayed opening. This kind of gentle, absurdist civic engagement became the club’s hallmark, drawing attention to the value of patience and the absurdity of obsessive punctuality through humour rather than lecture.
By the mid-1970s, the club had formally designated 5 September as National Be Late for Something Day, creating an annual occasion for people to give themselves permission to take their time. The date was chosen to fall at the end of the summer holiday season in the United States, when returning to the rigours of work and school schedules makes the idea of slowing down particularly appealing.
Noteworthy Facts
- The Procrastinators Club of America was founded in 1956 by Les Waas in Philadelphia, making it one of the longest-established humorous advocacy organisations in the United States.
- The club’s 1966 protest against the War of 1812 is one of the most widely cited examples of organised late action.
- Research suggests that men tend to procrastinate more frequently than women, though intelligence shows no meaningful connection to procrastination tendencies.
- Night owls are statistically more likely to procrastinate than early risers, a finding linked to differences in self-regulation across chronotypes.
- Procrastination has been linked to heightened sensitivity to social judgement: people who worry excessively about others’ opinions of their work are more likely to delay starting it.
- Despite its reputation as a negative trait, deliberate slowness and well-timed delay are recognised in creative fields as valuable strategies for allowing ideas to develop fully before committing to them.
Hashtags
- #BeLateForSomethingDay
- #NationalBeLateDay
- #ProcrastinatorsClub
- #SlowDown
Featured image: Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash.
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