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It happens…it happens once and it happens often. We just don’t feel creative or creative enough… we face a creative drought…
No one is immune to this feeling. We may all fall into this creative funk. Especially at times of transition from one project to the next, when we are feeling overwhelmed by too many ideas, or when we feel unable to generate the ideas we need to finish the project we’re pouring all of our energy, love, sweat, and tears to.
What’s happening?
First, we need to understand what’s happening is a natural part of the creative process. Creation has highs and lows, moments of explosiveness followed by quiet and stillness. Not “feeling” creative is not a final sentence, only a passing emotion. It might have been brought to the surface by some or all of these:
- We might be letting doubt cast shadows inside our minds.
- We might be engaging in the unproductive act of self-sabotage.
- We might need space and time to recharge, refuel, reassess.
What’s the antidote?
When we feel a lack of creativity, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. These are some of the things that have worked for us. The three overarching tactics are: action, compassion, patience.
Experiences. Life and work must go on. When we keep doing despite the lack of creative energy we stoke up the creative fire. A single spark is needed to light the flame. When creativity feels drained we need to go out and dive in and seek it.
Self-Compassion. In the face of creative-drought, we must treat ourselves with kindness. Cradle our creative soul with compassion and understanding. We must forgive ourselves for our very human flaws and caught ourselves before we dive too deep into the murky pool of self-sabotage.
Don’t despair. Expectation can be an exciting time. Patience is your friend. We practice patience when we put our creative life in perspective. Being creative is part of the big picture, it’s part of our lives, it is the journey.
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