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I’ve been in a creative slump. I haven’t really wanted to do anything new, so I haven’t. It hasn’t mattered that I’m behind on the Ultimate Blog Challenge. It hasn’t mattered that I committed to myself that I would do at leas two blog posts a week. I’ve just been coasting along and calling it good.
No more.
It’s past time for me to bust out of this slump. If you’re in one too, maybe some of these ideas will be a help to you as well.
1. Do It Anyway
It sounds rude to say it this way but sometime we just have to do it anyway. I don’t know what “it” is for you. Today, for me it was this blog post. Anything would be better than the nothing I have put up so far this week.
This applies to crochet, too. I have three projects actively in progress, one I want to start that another designer has published, one design in my head, and two or three projects in time out for one reason or another. Sometimes I have to just sit down and do the one I least want to do so I can get some momentum going on it and get it done.
2. Develop a New Routine
Maybe you don’t really need a new routine. Maybe you need to revive an old one. That’s where I’m at. I was just talking with a friend before I started this post and I said I needed to start a writing habit again. I think that wil help me a lot.
Of course, the world is sending me some pretty strong hints. I got hit with the clue branch twice in the past week. Once was seeing.a post from Crescent Dragonwagon and the second was a video on the Location Rebel YouTube channel. If I ignore those two hints, the next won’t be a hit and it won’t be a branch. I’ll get hit with the whole clue tree.
I know a writing habit helps me. It helps with blog posts. It helps with crochet. (Yes, really.) There is literally no downside to it. So why do. Hesitate and resist it so much?
I do know the answer to that, but it will take a whole blog post on ts own to explain it, so I’m not going to get into that right now. I had written about it before, though. One post is from a few years ago, but it’s still applicable: How to Prioritize Your Creativity.
3. Change It Up to Beat a Creative Slump
Routines are helpful. So is something new. Maybe you need to change things around. Do you always work at the kitchen table? Go outside. (If it’s not too hot/cold.) Do you always pick up a crochet project? Try Tunisian crochet or knitting.
Yes, sometimes changing things around will require you to learn new skills. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, learning something new is another way to hep yourself get out of a creative slump. I wanted to eep this list to three things, though, so that’s why I didn’t mention it as its own thing
Another thing I’m going to be doing along the lines of changing things up is taking a time management course on Creative Live. (Yes, that is an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, I will receive a small commission. It will help keep this blog going.) The time management course says it will help you get and stay organized and help you manage your time effectively. I certainly hope so. Goodness knows I need it.
So, you know three ways I’m trying to get out of this creative slump Help me out. What are some ways you get out of your slumps? Leave me a comment and let’s talk about it.
Sometimes I allow myself time to do other things and usually when I stop thinking about it so much – an idea will come to me and then I have to stop what I’m doing and go write about it before I lose my excitement!
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Those are great ideas, and I could stand to pay some attention to creating a routine, or a better one. But what often works for me, with writing, is to do a small part of the task. So if it’s a blog post, I create the structure for it in the “scheduled” section of my website. Then maybe I will do the graphics. Or find a quote. Often, that leads to writing more right then and there. but when it doesn’t, it makes it much easier when I finally decide to “just do it anyway.” 🙂
That’s a good point. That’s something I need to get better at doing.
Good post! I believe adding creative activities to each day can make a big difference in this area. Not necessarily creating art, but simple exercises that force you to solve a problem in some sense.
I agree. I also think there are some daily activities that are inherently creative if we just recognize them for what they are.
I have to agree with point #3. Sometimes routine can be the death of creativity. Thanks for a good read.
It’s true. Routine can be bad for creativity, but it can also be good for it. It’s kind of a double-edged sword like that.
So, my method is a little different. I either go on a bike ride of at least 45 minutes on a path not taken for at least a year. Or a drive, about the same length- NOT DURING RUSH HOUR- along roads I know like the palm of my hand.
Either way, my mind drifts and I can discern new paths or ideas.
Thanks for commenting. I can’t drive because of my eyesight, so I didn’t think about going for a drive.