If you are like many people I know, from time to time, you might have these internal dialogues between your “lazy” and your “productive” selves. The productive part may sound like this:
“I should really …”, or “I have to …”. And (luckily) these self-talks may often enough end up being successful.

What happens when you use the same tools to make yourself – make art (if you procrastinated for a while, for example)?

When it comes to finding inspiration and going to the studio to paint, the usual “I really have to…” doesn’t work for most people.
Maybe your “productive” self can be successful in ordering you to finally clean up the studio, but it will probably fail if it orders you to paint. It may even push you ever farther away from the studio.
Why is that?

The answer is simple, but not always so obvious. It’s because your creative self (your inner creative child) reacts well to love and gentleness and badly to the orders of your “executive” self.

So, what to do when you procrastinate?

First, permit yourself to be in “idle” mode for some time. Your inner creative child will appreciate it.
Yes, I know it’s hard. But I mean it. Really. And enjoy!

And then, little by little, try to have fun in the studio. Don’t choose to do huge projects immediately. Start small and praise yourself for every little win.

If you want to go back to the studio after some absence, the key is to treat your inner artist with joy.