Have you ever found yourself scrolling on your phone or watching Netflix knowing full well you should be somewhere else doing something more important? Maybe you’re not feeling 100% but the guilt rings in the same. You still need to take the dog out or clean up the house. I’m talking about those days that you COULD get away with doing nothing, but you know you’ll be kicking yourself later.
I am that person EVERY Saturday (I am writing this on Sunday). To the point where I don’t make plans on Saturdays unless it’s after 5 PM. And to be clear it’s not that I do nothing every Saturday, but I’m almost always not doing the thing I should be doing.
I am a big list maker, which sometimes helps. I love lists, I use them every day multiple times a day. One could say I only do things if they’re on a list. I’ll even tell myself I don’t have to fold laundry because it’s not on the list (nor will it ever be…).
Why am I talking about this?
Because lists and guilt are my main sources of motivation. Sure, the prospect of selling some art or having a clean house is lovely, but the guilt is doing most of the heavy lifting for me. And yes, before you say anything, I am realizing how unhealthy this is.
If I’ve learned anything in the last year since I started my spic colourful painting journey, it’s that guild and creativity are foes and the perfect way to kill creative motivation is to feel guilty for not getting something done.
I am telling you this because whether you’re an artist or not, we are all creative in different ways. We use creativity for so much of our lives and whether you realize it or not, when your creativity is dwindling, you feel it in so many ways.
So, the next time you’re feeling frustrated with yourself about procrastinating something just remember that your creative motivation is more likely to come back to you when you are kind to yourself. We all need rest; we all need a chance to let our brains naturally come back to the work we need to do.
You will know when it’s time to stop the procrastinating and get to work and when that time comes, you must trust you’ll make the right decision and put the procrastination aside!
Also, don’t underestimate the power of rewarding yourself with a snack.
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Thanks for tuning in! See you next week!