There is no greater pitfall for creative types than not feeling creative. These blocks have haunted artists since the beginning of art and, like a hangover, there is no surefire cure. But unlike a hangover, embracing a creative block can, in the long run, be one of the best things to happen to you. Hereâs three reasons why:
1. They Inspire You to Seek Out Inspiration
Artists often think that the world revolves around whatever theyâre working on. This can be an important trait, but sometimes it takes a feeling of running on empty to go out again and be inspired by othersâ work. If youâre staring at a blank canvas, itâs time to fill your head with new creations that youâve never seen before. Go to museums or bookstores or the library or just search through the Internet. Find something that really wows you and the block will start being chipped away.
2. Theyâre Not Blocks, Theyâre Distress Signals
Our creative side can sometimes be like a little kid. If it doesnât want to do something it starts to throw a fit. Occasionally we may interpret this as a block, but in reality your brain is screaming, âThis is not fun and I want to stop!â While not finishing something can be a big problem, slogging through a project just for the sake of getting it done can be just as bad. If you canât fix something, it could very well be because deep down you want it to stay broken.
3. They Replace Fear with Routine
Inspiration is not an infinite resource. Hemingway referred to this as âjuice,â and talked about it like a physical thing inside him that would drain out every day. But when the juice isnât there, that doesnât mean you donât do anything. You still write, paint, take photos, record music no matter what. It can be completely awful, you can hate every single thing about it. But you do it today and no matter what you to it tomorrow. Because if youâre not working every day when the juice is gone how can you be sure youâll be in the right place when it comes back?
There is no greater pitfall for creative types than not feeling creative. These blocks have haunted artists since the beginning of art and, like a hangover, there is no surefire cure. But unlike a hangover, embracing a creative block can, in the long run, be one of the best things to happen to you. Hereâs three reasons why:
1. They Inspire You to Seek Out Inspiration
Artists often think that the world revolves around whatever theyâre working on. This can be an important trait, but sometimes it takes a feeling of running on empty to go out again and be inspired by othersâ work. If youâre staring at a blank canvas, itâs time to fill your head with new creations that youâve never seen before. Go to museums or bookstores or the library or just search through the Internet. Find something that really wows you and the block will start being chipped away.
2. Theyâre Not Blocks, Theyâre Distress Signals
Our creative side can sometimes be like a little kid. If it doesnât want to do something it starts to throw a fit. Occasionally we may interpret this as a block, but in reality your brain is screaming, âThis is not fun and I want to stop!â While not finishing something can be a big problem, slogging through a project just for the sake of getting it done can be just as bad. If you canât fix something, it could very well be because deep down you want it to stay broken.
3. They Replace Fear with Routine
Inspiration is not an infinite resource. Hemingway referred to this as âjuice,â and talked about it like a physical thing inside him that would drain out every day. But when the juice isnât there, that doesnât mean you donât do anything. You still write, paint, take photos, record music no matter what. It can be completely awful, you can hate every single thing about it. But you do it today and no matter what you to it tomorrow. Because if youâre not working every day when the juice is gone how can you be sure youâll be in the right place when it comes back?