Conquering the Curse of Creative Block
If you’re a creative person, you’ve probably experienced a creative block in some shape or form throughout your life.
I recently experienced a massive dip in my creative flow that stopped me in my tracks for a whopping four months, and let me tell you, it wasn't a walk in the park, especially when your livelihood depends on it. But fear not, as there are ways to overcome this annoying experience we all share.
There are many reasons why we sink into an unexpected creative block, let’s explore some of them:
Your Environment:
If you work from home, you may encounter a few distractions that can take your mind off your creative projects. Whether it's unexpected errands, cooking, chores, family obligations, or even annoying power outages (hello loadshedding stage 6!), Juggling multiple tasks that don't usually occur in a regular office setting can become overwhelming and steer your focus away from your creative projects.
Not Getting Your 8 hours:
Ah, the temptation of binge-watching the latest season of your favorite show on Netflix, causing you to sacrifice your precious sleep. We've all been there, haven't we? We've all sacrificed our sleep far too many times and eventually this starts to take a toll on our bodies and especially our minds. Leaving us tired, groggy, and unable to form a single creative thought the next morning.
Bitten by the Perfectionism Bug:
So you spent hours creating something incredible, stared at it a little too long, and decided it just needs a little more work before you share it with the world? Days and weeks fly by and guess what, you still haven't posted it on social media, or shared it with your friends because you're still telling yourself it's just not perfect yet.
Soul-Crushing Self-Doubt:
The creative world is brimming with thousands of talented beings, each with their own unique style and abilities. It can be very easy to catch a glimpse of another creative's work on Instagram or Dribbble and think you need to be better or that your work will never reach the level of others whose work you admire. It can be crushing to feel this kind of self-doubt that makes you wonder why you should continue.
Poor Time Management:
Poor time management skills can throw your daily workflow off balance. It's all too easy to become overwhelmed with tasks, biting off more than you can chew, or setting unrealistic deadlines which make it difficult for you to focus and slow your ability to come up with creative ideas.
Do any of these scenarios strike a chord with you? If you find yourself slipping down the rabbit hole the way I did, here are some not-so-secret tips I used to turn things around:
1. Switch Up Your Scenery
If you work from home, try setting up your workspace in another room of the house, maybe even venture outside. If it’s possible, try working from another location like a cozy coffee shop. A change of scenery can do wonders and ignite a spark of inspiration.
2. Go to Bed
No, seriously! Close that Netflix app, put your phone away, and just go to bed. Sometimes a good night's sleep is all you need to recharge your creative batteries.
3. Create Something Crazy
As creatives, our job isn’t to strive for perfection but to simply create. Even the iconic Mona Lisa has its flaws, and yet there it hangs in one of the largest rooms of the Louvre Museum for all to admire. So instead of trying to create the perfect piece of art, why not create the wildest, most absurd piece you’ve ever dared to make? This will give you a fresh perspective and might even inspire you in unexpected ways.
4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Here me out, you can either look at what others are doing and tell yourself you will never be as good as they are, allowing those negative thoughts to consume you or you can use it as fuel to drive your own improvement. Remember, you cannot compare your journey to other creators because you don’t know how long it took for them to reach that level. So keep honing your skills at your own pace until you reach where YOU want to be.
5. Setting Healthy Boundaries
Create a schedule that aligns with your workload and daily responsibilities while maintaining realistic expectations. If you’re in South Africa like me, you'll understand the importance of checking your loadshedding schedule to effectively plan your daily tasks. Remember to carve out dedicated breaks for yourself throughout the day (and just a heads up, washing dishes or cooking doesn't quite qualify as a break!). Prioritizing self-care within your daily schedule is the key to maintaining your creative energy and preventing future burnouts.
“I think some of the biggest bursts of creativity and artistic growth I’ve had are usually preceded by a big creative block.”
It’s important to remember that creative blocks are temporary, it's natural to experience blocks from time to time. But you should always be patient with yourself and keep trying different techniques until you find what works best for you.
