You’ve heard of writer’s block, right? Well let me tell you, it is very real. In fact, in an even broader scope, the entire idea of a creativity block can completely plague even the brightest creatives and the work they create.
I think anyone who considers themselves a creative person takes pride in knowing that makes them unique.
“Look at this pretty thing I made”
“Look at this cool thing I wrote”
And there’s a reason for that. We are special because of the way our brain processes our surroundings and subsequently that which we create as a result of it. The way I see it, an utter block of creativity doesn’t dampen that uniqueness, but rather enhances it. Why? Because the creativity doesn’t always come easily. What this means is that when the creativity does come, you’ve earned it. And THAT is something to be proud of.
Ironically I’ve found creativity comes at the oddest hours and most inconvenient times of the day. Suddenly your brain has conjured up a great idea three seconds before you fall asleep. Yeah, where were those creative juices when you spent three hours staring at your computer screen trying to create something earlier, right? Frustration at an inability to channel creativity is a relatively useless emotion. But what we can take away from that is that what you’re doing MATTERS. You’re frustrated because creating something impactful means something to you and because of that you’re already heading in the right direction.
There are lots of tips I could give you on channeling creativity. But I’m not going to give you lots. I’m going to give you just one -- no, not because I’m writing this at 11 o’clock at night and we need to post it by tomorrow -- it’s because this one tip applies to everyone and all roads lead back to this one bit of advice: Never forget what set your passion alight.
I love to read. Like seriously, I bring a book with me everywhere. And poetry especially holds a special place in my heart (my favorite poet is Charles Bukowski). Bukowski once wrote, “if it doesn’t come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don’t do it” (basically what I just said but much more poetic).
He’s right.
I have used this quote as the framework for what it means to not only chase your passion and creativity but to let it completely envelop you. The minute you forget why you started there’s really no point in finishing. We are creatives because our passion drives us but that doesn’t mean our passion is always in the driver’s seat. If your passion isn’t driving you then pull over onto the side of the road until it is. This might be a hyperbole but I make no qualms about saying and that is this: no good piece of work ever came from forcing a finished product.
Channeling creativity should not be a chore and by remembering what sparked your creativity to begin with the possibilities will never be few. That means it’s okay to take breaks. To spend more time on a project you thought you could finish in less time. To ask for advice or a second opinion. Taking time to reach the peak of your creativity before creating something does not mean you have failed it means you respect yourself and the product enough to give it the time it needs to grow into a finished product.
So when that creative block comes don’t hide from it. Lean directly into it. The creative part of your brain knows where to take it from there. Trust it. After all, it already got you this far.
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