3 things you can do to combat a creative block episode
Relax, do nothing and ponder
This article isn’t about the creative blocks during commissions. That’s a completely different article altogether. Deadlines are a fact of any creative business and block or not I have to meet them and always seem to do something which I’m proud of. Phew, amen and long may that continue!
This article is actually about the work you’re doing on your own passion projects. Your day to day work which you do innately on a regular basis. I recently hit a wall, got blocked by the inspiration fairy during a project and got told “you shall not pass” by the imagination wizard. There was no way to pass.
A familiar feeling? If you’re ever in that situation yourself, here's 3 helpful things that I do.
One: Do nothing… creatively speaking that is.
Now, I don't mean lay on your bed staring at the ceiling doing nothing. I mean just stop! Personally, I don’t like feeling anxious, which is how I get when the pictures don’t come out or I seem to forget how to draw or communicate. I’m very aware to not get myself in a mood and recognise when the angst starts to bubble inside it’s time to step away from the desk and leave those things well alone. Giving myself time to do nothing is a luxury one has with personal projects that actually isn’t always there with commission work so embrace it I say. For me, time away means my brain can rest. It also means that the annoying idea that wouldn’t come out before can have some quiet time to work itself out. They say, sometimes inspiration has to find you working. For me sometimes it has to find me resting.
Two: Do something… but something that’s not creative.
Read, watch telly, have a nap or go out for a walk… anything so you’re not on your bed staring at the ceiling. Unless you’re having a nap and waiting for sleep… you guys crack on! Anyway for those that are still awake… for me pursuits outside the world of creativity help give me a rest bite from my thrustrating blocks and art angst. Also, as quite often is the case, pursuits away from the desk help ignite other ideas. But as I’m in a mode of doing non creative things, any new ideas can be filed under “deal with later if remembered”.
Three: Do ponder a moment… you’re not a machine.
I have come to the conclusion at times that I am my own worst enemy when I get a block. I feel that somehow that it is my fault and I’m actually rubbish blah blah blah. The truth is I do like to churn out a lot of personal work and get frustrated when I can’t. But I have to remember that I am not a creative machine. I am obviously human and humans need rest. I’m not perfect, that's ok I can live with that. It’s ok to have off days and day’s off. It’s all part of the process and the journey.
—
Accepting and doing the above three things brings me peace. The trick is remembering them and not letting the thrustrating and blocking angst get the better of me.