Most (of us) have experienced creative block…sometimes it’s because we’re trying something at the wrong time…Lucas Foss
I knew this summer was going to be all about learning how to eat so my body would start to heal…getting iron infusions so I’d feel more energetic…resting more.
But what I didn’t know is that while I did all of this I’d feel creatively dry…
I have a stack of things to start in my project room and not an ounce of energy to start even one, there’s a half paper-covered vintage suitcase in the basement that I can’t convince myself to finish and my bedroom walls have eight different colors painted here and there . Yes I said eight! And the worst is that every time I sit down to write I stare at the screen which is as blank as my brain.
Nothing.
I got nothing…
So strange…this blank in my brain.
I wonder…does my brain need this down time as much as my body?
Have you ever been in a creative slump? If so, any suggestions?
JoAnne says
July 22, 2011 at 7:10 amHi Robin ~ I think this is just your body’s way of making you slow down and get the rest you need. Your creativity will come back in time as you heal. In the meantime try to take pleasure in little things that you enjoy. “It will happen in God’s time, not our time.”
God Bless,
JoAnne
asnipofgoodness says
July 22, 2011 at 7:45 amMy creativity comes in waves, and I just have to wait out the slumps. Take your time to heal, and be still, He will quiet your heart and meet you right where you are. Praying for you 🙂
Tracy F. says
July 22, 2011 at 7:56 amThis reminds me of one of y favorite quotes;
“how lovely it is to do nothing, and then rest afterwards.”
Rhonda Tignor says
July 22, 2011 at 8:05 amRobin, you have no idea how long your body has been nutrient depleted. I have known about my gluten problem for two years but evidently I’ve had the Celiac’s my whole life .
By the way, remember we share a birthday tomorrow. Anyway, that was a LOOOONNNGG
time to not be getting any nutrition. I see it in my teeth and bones and a lot of places that I am having to over kill with vitamins and minerals,(especially iron). Read some good books and watch some good movies and let your body heal sweetie. This is a major deal to heal from.
Susan says
July 22, 2011 at 8:10 amRobin,
Without a doubt creative slumps are part of the ebb and flow of life. When I’m in the midst of one, it seems the harder I try to “be creative” the more impossible it is. You just need to go with it. Rest and relax. Before you know it, you’ll once again be in one of those places where there are not enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to do. Be sweet to yourself and take a much needed break.
Best,
Susan
Gigi says
July 22, 2011 at 8:53 amIn answer to your question about your brain as well as your body needing downtime: Yes. Period.
I believe the brain needs stretches of downtime, as does the psyche. I write every single day lately because I have to for deadlines on various projects and freelance jobs, and I am seriously feeling the fatigue. So, I am taking tomorrow off to be with friends, and then a couple of days later next week after my deadlines are met.
I think I struggle with this issue because in our culture we equate rest with idleness, but these are two very different things. Americans so value being busy, productive, and active that when we take breaks from our hectic, stressful lives, it makes us nervous. When I have a quiet day, I check my calendar. I double-check it. What? No appointments? No craziness? I must be doing something wrong! Then I feel guilty, and even more stressed than I would on a busy day. I joke about it with my family and friends, because we all do this, but this summer I am trying to teach myself to rest when I need it. It’s turning out to be the best summer I can remember . . . for that very reason.
You are one of the most creative and productive people I know–on top of everything else that you do. I firmly believe that your body and mind are going to want to paint the bedroom and paper whole stacks of vintage suitcases when they’re rested!
Big hugs to you, Robin!
xoxo Gigi
Terry says
July 22, 2011 at 9:07 amI can relate! I am a dry patch this summer; not one creative endeavor to show. And I think that’s okay! I’m learning to step back and not push. Who says we have to be creative all the time? It can be exhausting! So maybe this is a time to enjoy the things around us, and not stress anything. We know it’ll come back! :o)
BTW- I’ve been thinking of you a lot! At the cafe I work at, we have a full gluten free menu (soups, salads, paninis, baked goods) and I often share your story with our customers. You are not alone, my dear!!!! :o)
Vicky says
July 22, 2011 at 9:27 amRobin, what you are describing is very much what I feel in the long white winter months- no energy from lack of sunshine and no amount of creativity flowing. I truly do what you are doing, rest, be easy on myself and wait for the spark. Its comes eventually, it will come. I think often we are in denial of how much we have pushed ourselves and how deeply tired we are. Would love to hear about how the diet is going? Any new recipes to share?
Eileen says
July 22, 2011 at 10:03 amRobin, sometimes the creative part of your brain just shuts down. I know, I have been there quite a few times! It’s like someone turned off the lights when they left and you can’t find the light switch to turn them back on. You’ve been creating non-stop for a long time now. I think your body is telling you that it’s time to stop and smell the roses. I believe that if you look at summer as a time where you are going to kick back and heal, come Fall, you’ll be brimming with ideas and energy! Relax and enjoy this part of the journey. :0)
Hugs my friend!
Kathleen Ellis says
July 22, 2011 at 10:18 amHi Robin~
I am so familiar with what you are going through! I’ve gone through it many times…and each time it frustrates me, too! Until I remind myself that I need to take time to rest. Our lives are like books…and there are many chapters….some busy, some exciting, some creative, some kind of dull, and some restful….rest is essential to refreshing, rejuvenating, refueling, renewing, restoring….. We cannot give out of an empty vessel. Our bodies and minds must take time to replenish. On top of that, when we’ve gone through a season of physical challenges, we must get our bodies back into balance, which requires focus and energy.
Psalm 16:9~”Therefore my heart is glad and my glory(inner self) rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety.”
Psalm 23:3~ “He refreshes and restores my life (my self)…”
Choose to focus on rest and renewal in your body, mind and spirit, Robin, and you will be filled to overflowing before long! Don’t resist it….flow with it!
xoxoxo
Kathleen
Phillipians 4:4-8 (this is my personal life passage)
faith says
July 22, 2011 at 10:38 amThis is your time to “Be Still and know that I am God”. Be still and learn.
becky says
July 22, 2011 at 11:49 amHi Robin~
Meditate and be quiet for a moment~I have to do this to for I have been in this slump for a long time~ I feel for you! So we will all paddle thru this together! 🙂
My yoga instructor tells us to close your eyes…then open look only with eyes @the ceiling,down your cheek bones from side to side . Then back up to the ceiling and follow the orbit of your eyes slowly..then close your eyes and be grateful. This is suppose to stimulate our creativity! Hey why not give it a try! I also try to hang with creative, happy fun people~ that always get the juices going!
Lots of Luck to you!
Jean Fischer says
July 22, 2011 at 12:48 pmOh, yes, Robin. When my body was healing last year, my creative mind shut down. Just think of it as your brain putting all of its efforts into making your body healthy. The creativity and energy will come back. Rest. Relax. Enjoy the simple things of summer.
Your on my prayer list, and I pray for your healing every day.
God bless you and make you feel better real soon, my friend!
XOXO
Jenn says
July 22, 2011 at 1:08 pmI’m not creative in the least, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read. Before my sinus surgery last year, I stocked up on books for my 2 week stint at home. During my healing period, I couldn’t have cared less about picking up a book. I’d try to read, but had no interest. Someone said the same as everyone else here – that was my mind’s way of saying “no – we’re healing, not reading. I’m too busy healing you to think right now.” No worries – I have 109 books on my to read list and I’m back reading again! YAY!
Sharla says
July 22, 2011 at 3:06 pmSo sorry you’re feeling in a slump, Robin. I’m also glad to know that I’m not the only one who goes through slumps! May God grant you the rest you need.
gitz says
July 22, 2011 at 3:09 pmpain, exhaustion, body fighting illness creates a space of nothing. it just does. and i’ve learned to be ok with that… that some things are just beyond my control and my body knows what it needs.
rest friend. it will come back.
bill (cycleguy) says
July 22, 2011 at 4:29 pmI have to admit there have been times that I have felt creatively dry when it comes to writing sermons. Unfortunately, I have never had the time to take off. It could very well be God’s desire that your mind gain rest and strength as well as your body. Praying for you.
Tom says
July 23, 2011 at 9:10 amBefore you exhale you must inhale. I know the Holy Spirit is filling you as you take Him in during this pause. Creativity and the intended message is being blown into you in the Spirit and I look forward to what you will breath out from Him. Winds of His breath are upon you and you are being still and being filled. Your creativity will spill out from your spirit at the exact time He wishes. Rest in Him and let Him breath into you and be amazed at His Power as you release His breath within you. I look forward to the release! Hey, what happened to your shoe strings in this picture? Ha.
Pinky says
July 26, 2011 at 9:34 amOh sweetie, like everyone has said, just be still, it WILL come back! You have been going non stop for a LOOOONG time. You NEED to rest, body and mind. I am praying for you. One of my fave quotes: “God has a plan and the plan is good”!!!!! XOXO
Tracy says
July 26, 2011 at 9:19 pmI have them all the time…..you just have to let them pass. I just think of it as my creativeness is on vacation and it will come back when it is ready to work and I can’t force it too come back it does in it’s own time. T
From the sounds of things you really need this down time both mentally and physically so just enjoy it!! I hope you are better soon.
Laura @ Our House Of Joyful Noise says
August 1, 2011 at 10:22 amHi Robin. : )
Well I haven’t read any of the other comments, just as to not cloud my first thoughts after reading your post.
In doing so, it immediately made me think of a pattern I have noticed in life. Your body and brain tend to ‘get stuck’, in the mode it has been. I have had experiences where I taken a real lazy, pajama kind of day. And when I did, I realized I was feeling so tired, sluggish, and mushy-brained. I have had times when I was sick too, and when feeling well again by all other standards, had a hard time finding the ambition to re-start my productive routine, my energy, or my creative brain. It’s not likely to really just kick in all on it’s own. So if I just waited for it to come, it never did. I found I need to force myself to START. I’d get out those projects, touch them, start playing with them, and and doing a little something. Next thing I knew, I was INTO it….even LOST in it. And I was officially back on track. So I have found making myself start anyway, works for me. If you are feeling physically well, maybe the same will work for you.
As far as staring a blank screen, maybe not sit down first, but find something you feel a little passion to express first. I know my brain is sharper, and my words flow easier, in the early part of the day, although that’s not usually possible for me to blog then. But if you can, maybe try a walk first, taking it all in, breathing deep, getting energized, and let the thoughts come as they do. Maybe even listen to a positive audio, as you walk.
I hope that helps give you some ideas, in addition to what others have said. Reading your post reminded me of these traps and triggers. I think I’ll take some of my own advice! ; ) > Praying for you.
Robin says
August 1, 2011 at 10:57 amLaura…LOVE your suggestions. Love them! I started a little tiny project yesterday and really enjoyed it. I did run out of steam before I finished but you’ve encouraged me to get back to it!!! xoxo
Laura @ Our House Of Joyful Noise says
August 2, 2011 at 9:53 amI am SO glad it was helpful to you, Robin! You kicked my day off with a big smile. 😀
I started a new project of my own yesterday too. I am excited to get back to it today, now that I have started it, to finish it. But also, I HAVE to. Because there is a big mess on our dinner table. ; ) Keep on ‘just starting’, and let the enjoyment of it happen naturally. XOXO