I definitely know where you are coming from. As far as my own email-procrastination is concerned, I think you hit it spot on with these two reasons, Laura:

While I really like the idea of email and do enjoy it most of the time, for some reason I let my inbox pile up, even though cleaning it up really wouldn't be that hard. For some reason I try to avoid it, and can't quite pinpoint why.

But here's what I do... sometimes:

1. Use Gmail. It has many virtues, but my favorite is the one-key ("y") archiving of email, into that 2.5GB abyss called "All Mail". I've never really gotten into using labels, filters etc. I just archive stuff, and if I need it later, I'll search for it.
Out of sight, out of mind.
(And no matter what The David says, this can sometimes be a really satisfying concept)

2. Schedule email time. At work I have Groupwise running constantly, and use email as a productivity- and quick communications tool. But my home email doesn't get checked more than once a day, usually (it's not that high-traffic or important, really). I've set aside a half-hour dash everyday (19:00-19:30, after dinner), where I open up Gmail, read and reply to anything new and then start processing stuff in my inbox. And this is just to empty it out again: The plan is that once it is empty, I'll never open up Gmail unless I'm willing and prepared to fully process (that means reply to, if necessary) anything new. Which means that I might only get through one email during that half-hour, but at least that's one down...

And ok, I'll admit it: My inbox has been entirely empty several times, after which I've vowed to now follow said plan. And yet here I am again with a couple of handfuls to process. It's a work in progress...
And really, how many of us truthfully follow all the advice that we so happily dole out left and right? ;)