Art Blog #156: Is Procrastination A Creative Intermittent Fasting?

Let’s talk about the big, messy, guilt-ridden, internet-drenched monster that haunts every artist, creator, and creative thinker: procrastination. You know, that seductive siren song of YouTube deep dives, aesthetic Pinterest boards you’ll never use, and the sudden urge to deep-clean your entire studio at 2 AM? Yeah, that one. But what if I told you that procrastination isn't just some enemy to productivity? What if—stick with me here—it’s actually a necessary creative process? A sort of intermittent fasting for your brain?

Before you roll your eyes and go back to doom-scrolling, let’s first find out if you’re actually stuck or just stalling.

3 Ways to Know If You’re Creatively Blocked or Just Procrastinating

1. Your ideas feel like expired milk. You sit down to create, but every idea that surfaces is just... off. Stale. Gross. If inspiration feels like it’s been sitting out in the sun too long, you might be genuinely blocked.

2. You’re avoiding your art like it’s your ex’s new relationship update. If you find yourself doing literally anything else—laundry, baking, organizing paint tubes by color—ask yourself if you’re dodging something bigger. Fear of failure? Fear of success? (Yup, that’s a thing.)

3. You want to create, but you just can’t. If it’s physically painful to even think about picking up a brush, a stylus, or firing up your 3D software, your brain might just need a creative nap.

Now, let's crack open the real question: Are you in a natural creative break, or are you spiraling into the abyss of endless procrastination?

5 Ways to Find Out If You’re Procrastinating or Simply in a Needed Creative Break

1. Are you learning something new or just vibing? If you’re deep into art history docs or testing a new sculpting technique, congrats—you’re still creatively active. If you’re rewatching an entire season of The Office for the eighth time... not so much.

2. Does your break feel nourishing or numbing? Taking a walk, exploring a museum, or getting lost in music can be a legit refuel. Mindlessly scrolling TikTok until your eyes burn? Yeah, that’s pure avoidance.

3. Are you getting bursts of inspiration? Sometimes stepping away gives you those random shower-thought level ideas. If your break is producing those, it’s serving its purpose. If not, you’re likely just delaying the inevitable.

4. Do you feel relieved or guilty? A break should feel refreshing. If instead, you feel like you’ve betrayed your inner artist, that’s a sign you’re dodging the work.

5. Are you making deals with yourself? “I’ll start after one more YouTube video.” “Just one more episode.” “I swear I’ll draw tomorrow.” If your inner monologue sounds like a politician’s campaign promises, you’re procrastinating.

Okay, so now that we’ve diagnosed the problem, let’s talk survival tactics. Because we both know that staring at your unfinished work while guilt-eating snacks isn’t sustainable.

5 Ways to Stay Productive Even During Assumed Procrastination

1. Set a tiny, stupidly easy goal. Instead of “Finish this whole painting,” try “Sketch for five minutes”. Just start. Trick your brain into motion.

2. Use procrastination against itself. If you’re putting off a painting, procrastinate by planning your next project. If sculpting feels impossible, procrastinate by sketching out new designs. Keep the creative energy flowing.

3. Make procrastination productive. Research your craft. Read about your favorite artists. Watch documentaries about sculptors who suffered through the same thing. Stay in the creative world, even if you’re not making.

4. Create without consequences. Doodle nonsense, make a mess in Blender, weld something hideous for fun. Remove the pressure of perfection, and sometimes, the spark returns.

5. Time your breaks. Tell yourself, “Okay, I’m going to waste 30 minutes, and then I’ll get back to work.” Set an alarm. When the time’s up, at least try to return to your art.

3 Ways to Keep Procrastination from Becoming a Lifestyle

1. Build a routine—but not a prison. Give yourself structured creative time, but don’t make it so rigid that it drains all joy out of the process.

2. Find an accountability buddy. Fellow artists, sculptors, or content creators—someone to check in and remind you that TikTok isn’t an art medium (yet).

3. Celebrate tiny wins. Finished a sketch? Nailed a concept? Didn’t scroll for four hours straight? Give yourself some credit. Momentum builds from small victories.

Conclusion: Procrastination = Creative Intermittent Fasting?

So, here’s the deal: Beating yourself up for procrastinating is like yelling at a plant for not blooming fast enough. It doesn’t help. Sometimes, your brain needs space. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your art is to step away. Let your subconscious do the work in the background. This isn’t laziness; it’s creative intermittent fasting. A necessary pause so that when you do return, you bring fire instead of fumes.

So next time you find yourself deep in a procrastination spiral, don’t panic. Just ask yourself: Am I starving my creativity, or am I just letting it digest? Because sometimes, stepping back is exactly what you need to step forward.

-Peter von Hauerland