3 types of creative block and what to do about them
Argh, creative block, one of the absolute worst feelings as an artist. Like many other creatives, it’s something I’ve struggled with on and off and am trying to learn to deal with.
Personally, I found that being around people with 9-5s made me feel like I needed to be productive 100% of the time to justify being a freelancer. However, I realised the only person I was trying to prove anything to was myself, and being creative 24/7 is just not really possible.
Rather than beating myself up about feeling uncreative and uninspired, I’m trying to learn to roll with it. To embrace the slower periods as much as the eureka moments. To focus on all the amazing work I have made, rather than feeling like I constantly need to be making more and more and more. To be kinder to myself, whilst still trying try best to stay motivated as a self-employed person.
I’ve realised, when trying to find answers to magically make me feel inspired, that there’s lots of different types of creative block. Some can be overcome quite easily, others need riding out. I’m going to explore the three types of creative block that I’ve felt, and the solutions to deal with each one. Obviously everyones brain is a little different, but maybe one of these will sound familiar.
Information Overload
Imagine this. You get a brief, or you’re ready to start a new personal project and you can do ANYTHING. There’s loads of ideas whizzing round your head, loads of reference photos on your camera roll and Pinterest. Where the hell do you start? I find in situations like this I spend so much time umm-ing and ahh-ing about what to do, and that when I try and sit down and start something, I can’t commit and am worried it will be a waste of time and I should do something else.
Solution
My solution for this is accountability. Talk to a creative pal and ask them to help you come up with a brief/plan. Talk through your different ideas and potential outcomes until you find something that sounds inspiring and fun to do. Chatting to another person always helps me get my thoughts in order, and you can even get them to set a deadline for you so you have some more structure. Alternatively, you could look for some kind of competition but be wary as these can often be exploitative.
2. Frustrated Block
This is something I’ve personally struggled with the most. Graduating from art school into the pandemic, coupled with anxiety about politics and climate change caused me to feel down, unmotivated and uninspired. On top of this, due to the dodgy economy and general instability due to coronavirus, since graduating I’ve experienced a lot of dry patches where I wasn’t getting any paid work and where projects I was excited for got pushed back. This made me feel like I didn’t even want to make any personal work, cause what’s the point?
Solution
Honestly, feeling this is absolutely rubbish and my number one advice is to just be kind to yourself. If you need to take a little break from trying to ‘make it’ as a freelancer, or if you need to get a part time job to help pay the bills, then don’t beat yourself up about it. Nothing is permanent and sometimes a change of scene through a part time job can help you think differently and feel a bit more inspired/positive. Also on another note if it is politics/climate change that’s making you feel down, rather than trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling, trying and find a way to get involved in a cause you care about. Anyway back to the creative bit…
Do things that inspire you. For me this is visiting museums, galleries, markets and botanical gardens. Sometimes I’ll bring a sketchbook but more often than not I’ll just take some time to drink in my surroundings and take lots of photos. Maybe something will leap out at you and inspire you to make some work, or maybe you’ll just have a nice day out. I’d also recommend taking in other sources of inspiration, have a dance, go to the theatre or the cinema, watch a documentary about post war Dadaism…I don’t know what your prerogative is but try and nourish that important part of you that loves art and creativity, even if you can’t make new work just yet.
Also try and celebrate your work and all the wins that you’ve had so far. Last year I felt like I’d had a bit of a rubbish and unproductive year but then I looked back on everything I’d done and I was like…hang on a minute! I’m really proud of myself and I’ve made some great work! It made me realise, that although I had phases where I wasn’t making work, I shouldn’t spend all my energy feeling bad about it, and instead focus on all the bursts of creativity that I did have. For example, If you have a month where you don’t make any work, but have one day where you do a really good drawing, then celebrate that day and the great work you made, rather than regretting the rest of the time.
If you do feel motivated enough to make work then try doing something purely for you. Whether this involves doodling in the back of your sketchbook or busting out the oil paints, maybe you’ll manage to find a little bit of joy from what you create. (Or maybe you won’t and just need a lil bit more time to rest and find inspiration - that’s ok too!)
3. Absolute brain fog
Maybe you have some ideas that you want to work on, but then you pick up a pencil or open a photoshop file and … nope. Brain is closed for business. Can’t even draw a stick man today. This could be for a physical reason like having your period or getting over an illness, or maybe it’s from other factors like stress, tiredness or burnout.
Solution
I’d say first, do give working a go. Try setting yourself a timer for 20 minutes and see if you can focus for that time. It could just be anxiety about starting the task or morning tiredness that’s making you feel this way. If you really can’t crack on then it’s time to pivot and do something productive but easy. Edit some pictures to post on instagram, update your website, send some emails, sharpen all your pencils. I find it helpful to have a big list with all the admin tasks I have to do in the next few weeks/months, and then if I’m at a loose end I just pick something to crack on with.
When you’ve given that a go - take a break! Do whatever makes you feel most relaxed and try not to have any guilt about not working. Hopefully rest will make some magic happen in your brain.
Whichever of these feels most relevant to you (I think you can tell which is most relevant to me by the amount I wrote for frustrated block…) my main advice is to CELEBRATE YOUR EXISTING WORK AND WINS! Imagine you’re coming across a strangers work for the first time. You’re not going to think ‘wow this work is nice but it’s shame they didn’t make anything from February till July’. You’re just going to appreciate all the brilliantness that they have made.
Some other things worth trying:
Focus on your other hobbies, interests, passions. I think sometimes as a creative it’s so easy to make your art your entire personality, when in reality you’re an amazing multifaceted person. Put time and energy into the other things that bring you joy, whether that’s learning to roller-skate or just going to the pub. Remember that your art isn’t you, it’s just something that you do.
A change of scene. For me this was physically getting a studio space which is something I aspired to for two years until I was able to do it. If this isn’t possible for you then just redecorate your work space and make it as comfy and welcoming as possible, or try and get away from your town/city for a few days.
Buy a couple of really nice new art supplies that you’re exited to try out.
Go to some kind of class or workshop where the decision making is out of your hands (ie the teacher will give you a specific task to do or a prompt to follow) and you can meet some like minded people
On a similar note try and find some fellow creatives to have a chat with over coffee or on a zoom call!
TLDR: You’re fab and it’s okay to not feel creative all the time. Try and do something vaguely productive like admin tasks or seeking out inspiration, or try talking to a fellow creative. If that doesn’t work allow yourself to relax and focus on other things that make you happy :)
