Recently, several of my friends and acquaintances have been writing about their lack of inspiration. As creative creatures, this is something we all go through. Some more than others, but we all experience creative burnout, funks, or blahs. Often there is a particular reason. When there is a definite reason, one can solve the problem by understanding the reason. When there is no particular reason, just a vague nothingness...it can be more difficult to overcome the absence.
There are several different ways in which I revive creativity. I'd like to share them with you. I may have mentioned these before, but some things are worth repeating.
Go outside. Go for a long walk or hike. Take your camera, if you like. Take a small, lightweight notebook just in case inspiration hits you like a sledgehammer. You'll be glad you have pencil and paper to jot down that new idea.
Find a nice spot to sit and reflect, or sketch. It doesn't matter if you have drawing skills, sketch an interesting leaf specimen, or a flower, or anything at all. Sometimes, focusing on a sketch will bring forth revelations and ideas that are completely unrelated to the sketch itself. This has happened to me countless times. If time permits, take a picnic and plan to stay a while...
Let go. Stop thinking about creativity. Ignore it. Find time for yourself, do something you love to do. Be patient. I promise, it will come back to you.
Do some reading. Get started on that book you've been meaning to sink your teeth into. Whatever your genre, light reading or deep, thoughtful reading, it is the most wonderful form of escape! It's like a mini vacation for your mind. I personally love to read poetry, especially when I'm in a slump. I just received this beauty in the mail...
I will leave you with an inspirational site that I love to visit: SAIPUA. It's such a beautiful, calming and intelligent place to visit. With a focus on nature which completely delights my senses. Speaking of delighting one's senses...
If you are suffering from creative burnout, I truly hope this post will help you in some way. I know there are many other ways to get over a creative funk, dear hearts. Perhaps you'd like to share some of your ways of doing so. I would love that.
Thank you for visiting, and thank you for being you...xo
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what a lovely post
ReplyDeletebrimming with
beauty
hope
inspiration.
are those wondrous
gnarly woods
within walking distance??
today was such a day
for me.
so i went exploring.
snapped shots of peeling paint.
went in to pray at a local monastery.
read on the patio.
made myself a delicious lunch.
talked to a beloved aunt.
i believe i am ready
to get back in the studio.
cheers!
I love going for walks or just looking at pretty images/pictures. I guess pinterest is great for that! Doing things to help you forget that you're in a creative slump will usually free your mind for the juices to start flowing again.
ReplyDeleteanca dearest, thank you for your beautiful comment. your solution for a studio break was my idea of the perfect way to revitalize. loveliness!
ReplyDeletethose old, gnarled trees are up north. when we went to visit my brother in january, we went to Jack London State Park (the site of those glorious trees). if you ever have the chance, you must go there!
xo
sweet June, i wish you were nearby so that we could go on long walks together. it's one of my favorite things to do. i can imagine the wonderful conversations we would have...thank you for your excellent ideas for getting the creative juices flowing. i agree with you!
ReplyDeletexo
Wonderful d...I wish I'd read this when you wrote it, been in a slump for a while now, creativity is very forced lately...trying t get my mojo back though and have been using a few of your suggestions acgtually...walks & reading have been like breathing for me...and visiting new places...it's helping too, slowly but surely.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a thoughtful and much needed post!
xo J~