Usually what happens to creative types is a frenzied overproduction that inevitably leads to burnout, stress, anxiety, and feelings of self doubt. Even someone who doesn’t consider themselves “creative” can struggle with this. And at this point, you are full of discontent, expecting this level of productivity to continue. Here is where I will stop you. Remember the amazing amount of work you have just made your way through and relaaaax. You’ve GOT this, my friend!
I’m you. And because I’m you and I’ve been there before, let me assure you: these feelings come and go. You will soon be on to new projects and deadlines! The trick is beating this crazy cycle when you’re able.
Needing some encouragement? Check out my daily Instagram feed! Let’s encourage each other.
For next time, I have some ideas to help you out of the creative slump! I hope they are as beneficial to you as they have been to me. I highly recommend at least all of them once a week. No shame in filling up the batteries we drain daily!
1. Day Trip
To the mountains. To the beach. To the park. To anywhere you consider a refuge or a truly beautiful place. Don’t bring work with you. Just escape the mundane. Let yourself live a little! Rest is good for your mind, and since your mind drives the operation, treat it well and allow yourself some good down time.
Winter in the Pacific Northwest has the effect of making me feel like a caged animal. Many times, day trips in the winter look like a trip to the mountains for snowshoe adventures or just to chill at my parent’s cabin in the woods. When I do occasion to bring work along with me, it comes back home with me incomplete and I am more stressed. I have found the trip itself to be more rejuvenating when I do not bring work with me. Spring and summer months bring a different challenge. Day trips can be more than occasional and a new balance must be met. If day trips become a distraction in summer months, try something different and get your schedule under control.
2. Seek Inspiration
Are you glued to your desk or social media? Get out; let your eyes out of that cocoon. Get out of the house, out of the office, out on a thirty minute walk without staring at an electronic device. I mean, bring your cellphone for comfort and leave the volume up in case a potential client calls, but for goodness’ sake, go outside.
Art 101 – if all you ever see is the four walls of your home and the four walls of your office (and for some of us, home is our office, which means even less walls to look at), you’re really limiting your daily intake. “Drawing from inspiration” indicates your need to go out and be inspired by the things around you. Experience your world! Even as a spectator.
Change up your location when you are working. Head over to your local coffee shop and plug in there. Take a trip to a local library. Sit out on the patio. Grab a bench at the park. Meet with a creative friend for coffee, talk through business, and get some work done together. Building community is a great change of pace and talking through ideas with someone else can lead to amazing developments.
3. Be Active
Kind of piggybacking off of point number 2, I grant you, but being active is a realm of its own. It’s so worth the effort! Not only will you be exercising another portion of your mind but you’ll also be engaging your body by building muscle and encouraging determination and structure. In addition, you will provide yourself another outlet for energy that may cause distraction and release some awesome feel-good endorphin surges that will get your mind prepared for tasks in front of you. How’s that for awesome!?
Here are some ideas from the PNW that may help get your blood pumping:
- Hike a mountain or take a long walk
- Take your bike on a spin around town
- Train for a run
- Rent out a kayak or SUP for a few hours’ trip on the water
- HIIT & LISS daily exercise
- Eat healthy, balanced meals
4. Challenge Your Mind
There are many conflicting reports about how the brain works – but what we do know is that it is a muscle and needs to be exercised in different ways in order to stay fully active. Muscle can atrophy, or decrease in mobility, over time with limited use. The best way to keep your mind sharp is to try breaking away from the usual routine and attempt something new. Inspiration can strike this way as well!
Here are some new things to try:
- Do some writing – and start a blog 😉
- Code a website
- Try a new skill
- Balance your checkbook
- Even if numbers aren’t your cuppa Joe: brain teasers, Sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles
- Learn a new language
- Read a novel
5. Lay off Caffeine / Get Some Sleep
I know how backward this sounds, having been strung out on coffee for the past ten years. Believe me, after the shock wears off, decreasing or negating your caffeine intake during the week will actually increase your mental capacity. For a good while, copious cups of coffee had the effect of leaving me sleepless in Seattle more nights than I care to admit. It’s easier to recall facts and data now that I have been able to sleep!!
If caffeine isn’t your Kryptonite, however, consider the negative ramifications of late nights and early mornings. Or perhaps, lack of sleep in general. You are more likely to get real work done when your mind is fully engaged, instead of drained of energy from restless nights or burning the candle at both ends. Sometimes this looks like far too many day trips and social engagements. Learn to gracefully say no to obligations and bow out of gatherings if they compromise a good night’s rest or complicate your schedule and down time.
I hope you enjoyed reading through this blog post! I hope it’s motivated you in some practical ways! Creativity should always be encouraged where it is found.
​Any questions or comments? Please feel free to contact me directly at chalkartistry@gmail.com or leave a message below! Thank you for stopping by!
XO – Dominique
Leave a Reply