Creatives in Quarantine: Productivity and Dealing with Procrastination

Written by Eleanor Lindsay and Maia Thomas

Being productive can be an extremely daunting task, especially during quarantine. The all too sudden shift from normal life to being stuck at home for months can totally cause disarray in one’s mind and in daily life. You would think that with all the time there is now, your productivity and creativity should shoot through the roof! So why can it be so hard to get things done?

Don’t beat yourself up over it. I along with many others are struggling to find a reason to get up and start doing something productive in this lack of normalcy. It is important to be understanding and forgiving of yourself when you can’t always be as on top of things as you want. In fact, that is the first step to overcoming procrastination. Quarantine brings its own challenges mentally on top of everyday life, and so it becomes even more important to go easy on yourself. Maybe you aren’t doing as much as you usually are or having a hard time getting inspired. And that is ok, treating yourself kindly and supporting yourself through it goes a long way.

So, how do you become more productive and procrastinate less? After understanding that you don’t have to be overworking yourself to be valid and that your worth is not measured by productivity, it is easier to get into the work mindset with less pressure. Really, the next step is to get started. As scary as it may sound, once you’ve started, it’s much easier to finish. Getting out of the vicious cycle that is procrastination can encourage more inspiration and getting work done, whatever that looks like to you!

Starting small is crucial. Think of the satisfaction you’ll feel when you’ve finished your piece instead of the dreadful blank page. Think of how much you’ll have learned by the end of it, and not the mishaps you may encounter throughout the process. Focusing on the positives doesn’t eliminate the negatives, but it makes them that much more manageable. Try making yourself small checkpoints along the way to keep motivated.

The pressures that come along with being a Creative in Quarantine can be hard to overcome in moments of feeling stuck and untalented. Be mindful of the ways in which YOU can achieve personal goals pertaining to the things you are passionate about. (You are one your own unique path!)

Now is the best time to understand yourself better and the ways in which you work best. Maybe picking up a new hobby and exercising creativity is calming and fun. But maybe that isn’t you right now, and that is just as valid. Remember to take care of yourself and do the things that get you through each day, every day. Hopefully these reminders/tips to combat procrastination and become more productive in daily life can help you feel less frustrated and more in tune with yourself. To wrap it all up, here’s a playlist to work along to: Productivity Playlist