Procrastination is this place where ideas and actions go to die. Never accomplishing the goals we set out for ourselves can take its toll on our mental and creative health. So how do you get out of this rut?
First, define why you are in this rut of procrastination? I know why I procrastinate. I have ADHD. My mind runs a mile a minute, so much if I don’t pause, I forget to write down ideas. Ideas lost to the wind or maybe three week later when it pops back in my head. But it’s not just ideas I forget to write down, it’s much more. Finding myself stuck can be frustrating even paralyzing; Anxiety builds up, ruminating starts and a vicious circle starts which seems impossible to get out of. Over the years, I’ve learned skills to cope even thrive in situations like this. And unfortunately, the best way to overcome procrastination is to just start.
Yes, I said it. You have to “Just Do It”. Easier said than done but here are some ways to get out of the procrastination hamster wheel: Keep a notebook, make lists, (lots of lists), and journal. Keeping a notebook handy is useful for whenever an idea pops up, like get milk, pick son up after practice… Writing things down helps your brain to remember. Seriously, that is a fact. When I first started to write things down, I thought this method was impossible. For instance, I can write a note or list, put it in my planner, write it down on a post-it, put it in a calendar, jot it down in my notebook, journal, staple it my forehead and still forget what I was supposed to do. The the most frustrating thing is I’d get so excited that I made the list, checked it twice, get to the grocery store and I forgot the list on the kitchen table. That being said, making lists and notes gets easier when it becomes a habit.
When it comes to lists, there’s an art to that too. Sometimes putting too many things on the list can become so overwhelming that you shut down with procrastination paralysis. Having long lists can make you feel lost, like where do you begin? I like making short lists. The kind of lists that have tasks I can accomplish in a day. I feel better about myself because I got something done, and I’ve taken a chuck out of the bigger list that I felt was daunting.
I feel the same way about being creative. A big blank canvas, sheet of paper, or empty document can feel crippling. Where do you start? What should I paint, draw, or write? Being overwhelmed can lead to procrastination and those projects never get started. Then it’s the excuses we tell ourselves like “I don’t have time”, “I’m too busy”, and time goes by and still we don’t make time to be creative. That feeling of wanting to be creative and not acting on it makes me depressed. So, how do we get out of that rut? How do we reclaim what makes us happy?
Mini art. Small projects, that do not take a lot of time to complete, yet leave us satisfied. I found that using four inch by four inch paper is a great format. I use different papers, drawing paper, watercolor paper, pastel paper, and Bristol paper. I precut these papers so I can use different mediums. So I’m ready for whatever the mood strikes. And it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece just a small space to doodle, make something abstract, or sketch. It’s like my short lists, something I can accomplish in one day and feel good about myself. I’ve seen You Tube shorts and TikTok videos of artists making mini art. Some are making tiny art using one by two and a half inch paper. There are 100 tiny paintings in a year challenges, and making travel art kits, that give me inspiration. For me, I’m not ready to make that kind of commitment, but taking baby steps is a start. It’s all about what you are comfortable with.
My focus this year is to reclaim what makes me happy. The plan is to take 15 min to an hour to be creative and enjoy the process. Also, I plan to make a new habit where I take time to read, write, draw and paint. I know with my ADHD this is going to be a challenge, so I’ll do my best. I hope this helps gets you out of that procrastination rut, and gives you inspiration to “just start”.
Artfully yours,
Andi
Artful-Living 