Regardless
of our names or what the media says, we all have creative blocks.
And
it feels awful whether we're gazing at blank paper, a blank canvas,
or a blank screen, longing for the perfect inspiration or idea to
strike us.
The
creative block is a real thing.
Feeling
stuck, confused, bored, and inactive are all natural and valid
sensations that occur when we put pressure on ourselves to be
productive, when we imagine a meaningful body of work that perfectly
reflects our potential and, ultimately, it does not come easy.
Believe me, I've been there. But do you know what isn't real? Our
unrealistic expectations of our own abilities are incorrect.
A
masterpiece will not appear from our imagination on our canvas. A
completely constructed novel will not flow easily from our fingers.
When
we're artistically stuck, we're irritated because we're waiting for
the right moment or inspiration to arrive, which never does. Do you
know what we're not doing? In fact, make anything. We avoid the one
action that will result in any development by focusing on our lack of
inspiration, which is why a creative block is simply procrastination.
So,
how do we break past that stumbling block and begin putting ourselves
back into our creative work? I realize it's easier said than done,
but here's what helps.
GET
STARTED NOW.
You
know those individuals who appear to be very efficient, productive,
and talented all at the same time?
They
could finish a full-length novel in a month while we struggle over a
few pages. While those individuals are great, what distinguishes them
is not that they are creative geniuses and you are not — it is that
they delve in and do it.
If
they appear to be working at a rapid rate, it's because they're
skipping the phase when they pause and wait for magic to strike.
Everyone works at their own speed, and while it is true that quality
takes time, the best moment to begin is always right now. We don't
have to be a creative machine or a creative genius to get started; we
just have to start.
STICK
TO A ROUTINE.
Since
I've been willing to create art, I've wanted to experiment with
different materials. And I still haven't done it. Ironically, it is
not due to a lack of ideas – I have various approaches at any one
time, all battling for brain space and the opportunity to be created.
The
issue is failing to follow through. I've completed a series of
sketches and portraits. And finishing them always felt great.
Everything I may have encountered during the creation process,
everything Why did I go through with that, but not with this? It's
easy since I kept going.
You
don't have to be working on a masterpiece to produce a final result;
simply keep working.
Making
a creative endeavor a part of our routine is the greatest way to
stick with it. Every day, setting aside time to write, sketch, or
record our progress will work. Even if we don't get much done at
first, we're developing a habit, and if creative time becomes a
subconscious part of our routine, we will keep our own commitment to
making progress every day.
PUT
A STOP TO YOUR SELF-DOUBT.
One
of the most important barriers to creation is our own minds. Negative
ideas may come in and disrupt our creative flow in the same way that
our brain shuts us down before we start working and tells us we're
blocked.
Perhaps
we never pause to consider if we're creating something important,
whether anybody will recognize or even notice our work, or whether
we're even skilled in the first place. If not, we're incredible and
we should keep creating recklessly. But, if we do experience those
brief moments of self-doubt, burnout, or harmful ideas, we need to
remember that they are normal.
We're
both modest and human. And we should not let that hold us back. We
must trust our creative efforts and remind us of our negative ideas,
to shut up in the kindest way possible.
REFLECT.
When
we're dealing with creative blocks and procrastination, simply
starting and continuing to work may go a long way. If we've been
working on a project and are still feeling creatively stuck, What we
must do is take a step back.Take a pause. Creativity, like any other
project or activity, requires relaxation times for both our body and
mind.
Allow
ourselves time to enjoy other aspects of life, such as friends and
family, a nice book, a day outside, or a night on the sofa, and then
return to our creative habits when we're ready.
In
the meantime, maybe we'll discover that missing creative inspiration.