Procrastinate Like a Pro: 5 Lazy Habits That Secretly Boost Creativity

You know that feeling – you sit down to create something brilliant, but suddenly, your hand is hovering over your mouse, and you’ve somehow opened Instagram, made tea, cleaned your keyboard, stared into the abyss, and watched a video of a raccoon washing grapes.

Guilty? Me too. But what if I told you that those seemingly “lazy” moments aren’t creative sabotage – they’re actually secret portals to brilliance? Yes, my fellow creative soul, it’s time to reframe procrastination. Sometimes, when we boost creativity while procrastinating, we’re not avoiding the work – we’re sneakily preparing for it.

Let me walk you through five lazy habits that I (proudly!) use to fuel my own creative fire. And no, none of them require a self-help book or yoga pose.

Lazy habit number 1. The Doomscroll Dive (A.K.A. Subconscious Mood Boarding)

Yes, I said it. Doomscrolling. That endless, slightly guilty scroll through Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Reddit – or wherever your thumbs roam when your brain says “nope.”

But here’s the magic: your brain is collecting data. Colors, vibes, feelings, textures, little sparks of weird ideas. Even if you’re just laughing at cat memes or being mildly horrified by someone turning a pizza into a hat (yes, I’ve seen it), your subconscious is working.

Why it works:
Your creative brain has a massive sponge-like filter system. So even during doomscroll sessions, it’s absorbing inspiration in the background. This can unexpectedly show up in your next design or illustration without you even realizing where it came from.

My tip:
Create a “scroll journal.” Whenever you see something that gives you a gut reaction – funny, beautiful, creepy, inspiring – screenshot it or jot it down. Later, when you actually sit down to create, you’ve got a mini treasure map.

Lazy habit number 2. Ceiling Staring (a.k.a. The Thinking Cloud Method)

This is a personal favorite. I lie on the couch (often with a cat sprawled across me like royalty) and stare at the ceiling. No phone. No notebook. Just thoughts floating like lazy balloons.

To outsiders, I look like I’m doing absolutely nothing. But inside, my mind is connecting dots, resolving visual problems, composing future blog posts, or dreaming up color schemes.

Why it works:
Your brain needs boredom to be creative. Studies show that doing nothing is actually a fast lane to aha-moments. The “default mode network” in our brain kicks in when we’re unfocused – and that’s where brilliant ideas brew.

My tip:
Next time you’re stuck, lie down and embrace the stillness. Stare. Breathe. Let your brain wander. No guilt allowed. Add cat if available.

Lazy habit number 3. Doodling Nonsense (Your Brain’s Way of Warming Up)

I once drew an entire page of broccoli doing yoga. Why? I have no clue. But after that, I created one of my favorite clipart packs ever.

Doodling – especially the weird kind with no expectations or direction – is one of the most underrated ways to boost creativity while procrastinating. It’s the equivalent of stretching before a workout, but way more fun (and usually includes cats or weird aliens).

Why it works:
It tricks the brain out of perfectionism. It loosens the creative muscle. And sometimes, in a moment of chaotic doodle-bliss, an actual good idea sneaks through the back door.

My tip:
Keep a “silly sketchbook” where no one is allowed to judge – not even you. Doodle weird shapes, mashups, or one-eyed kittens playing drums. Just draw. Trust the process.

Lazy habit number 4. Rearranging Stuff (a.k.a. Controlled Chaos Shifting)

I swear I’m not just procrastinating when I start moving plants around or organizing my washi tape drawer by color and mood. Something deeper is happening.

Changing your physical space even just a little can unlock mental shifts too. New surroundings = new neural pathways. You’re basically tricking your brain into thinking something big is happening, so it better start firing creative sparks.

Why it works:
Spatial changes encourage your brain to break routine patterns. This makes it more open to ideas that don’t fit the usual mold – which is exactly what creativity needs.

My tip:
Move three things around in your space. That’s it. A lamp, a pillow, a plant. Then sit back and see how your perspective subtly shifts.

Lazy habit number 5. Talking to Your Cat (a.k.a. Verbal Sketching Out Loud)

I talk to my cats all the time. About everything. Deadlines. Fonts. Existential dread. They don’t answer (well, Tito the cat does blink ominously), but it doesn’t matter.

Explaining your thoughts out loud – whether to your pet, your houseplant, or your coffee mug – helps clarify them. This is known as “verbal rehearsal” and it’s a real cognitive trick to turn mushy brain fog into structured thoughts.

Why it works:
You externalize your messy inner thoughts. Once they’re outside of your head, they’re easier to understand, organize, or shape into something useful (like a blog post, song lyric, or art piece).

My tip:
Pick a quiet-ish spot, start talking, and pretend you’re on a creative podcast with your cat as the guest star. You might feel silly at first – but it totally works.

Boost Creativity While Procrastinating: Your Procrastination Playlist

Some sounds just get the neurons firing. Create a playlist called “I Swear I’m Working” filled with:

• Lo-fi beats to procrastinate productively
• Binaural focus tracks
• Vintage jazz
• Studio Ghibli soundtracks (seriously – instant magic)
• Or cat purring ASMR. No judgment.

Play it while you “do nothing.” You might just end up creating everything.

Boost Creativity While Procrastinating: Redefining Lazy

Let’s be real: not all procrastination is equal. There’s the kind where you avoid your dreams, and the kind where your brain is secretly doing backflips under the surface, waiting for you to get out of the way.

The trick? Know when to let your creativity simmer instead of forcing it to boil. Trust the slower moments. Trust your weird habits. Trust the part of your brain that whispers, “Maybe a nap will help.”

Because sometimes, when you boost creativity while procrastinating, what looks like laziness… is actually genius in disguise. 😼

Until next time: create weird, rest well, and trust your procrastination. It might just be your secret power.

And if you’re hungry for even more oddball inspiration, don’t miss my other popular post:
👉 7 Fun and Weird Tips on How to Boost Creativity Instantly – it’s packed with delightfully strange ideas that will tickle your creative brain and maybe even make you giggle-snort a little. Also, check out my Etsy shop for weird and wonderful design goodies: FiveCatsGraphics on Etsy