By: John Glover (MBA)
When was the last time you were in a creative block, and what did you do? Whether you are an artist, quilter, writer or just a crafter in general, chances are you have probably had a mental block at one point or another. Finding inspiration for your next project is not always easy and can sometimes be frustrating. Staying in that creative mindset is not possible 24/7, and that’s okay, because it’s just a part of life. But don’t worry, there are ways to try and ignite inspiration but it might take a little bit of work. Getting out of your comfort zone and seeking out inspiration can help you get on the right track.
One of the ways to break the barriers surrounding your creative roadblock is to be in tune with the seasons. Fall is officially here and winter is on the way, and now is a great time to get outside and seek out inspiration. The seasons are a great avenue to dive into because you can focus on all the different colors, temperatures, holidays and then see which feelings they evoke. Sometimes a color or piece of nature can stir up emotions and memories that you can use in your next project.
Your emotions are there for a reason and those can be a great first step on creating something great. Think of your next craft as a song or a movie. Each of those pieces of work evoke specific feelings and emotions for the audience and your craft can do the same. Tying in your past experiences with the colors or sentiment of the seasons can help you take a step out of your comfort zone.
“Feeling lost in your work can be frustrating. You might feel like you have nowhere to go, but that’s not true. Inspiration is all around if you take the time to look for it. Try getting outside into a new environment, talk to new people, or try a new activity. Uprooting yourself from the same old, same old can spark new ideas in your head,” says Corey Pearson, Master Quilter and VP of Customer Success at Linda’s.
It’s important to note that even if you do get inspired by something in your surroundings, that it might not always work out the way you want it to. Perhaps you come up with a cool idea, but it’s hard to put into motion, or maybe you have finished a project and it didn’t come out the way you intended; that’s okay. Sometimes being creative is all about trial and error. Your mistakes are not a waste of time, because they can help you learn and grow as an artist.
The journey is sometimes more important than the destination, and that’s especially true in your craft. Be mindful of your creative process and don’t just automatically skip ahead to when your project is finished. Finding inspiration doesn’t always just happen at the beginning of the creative process, it could happen in the middle or the end. Your mistakes and errors are teaching lessons and might just be the inspiration you need to get out of that creative rut.
“It’s also important to not get too stressed out about being stuck. You need peace of mind in order to be inspired, but having a mental block can manifest into your craft. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, because that is limiting. Take some time to let inspiration find you,” says Pearson.
You won’t always have full control over your creative process, so going with the flow can help you stay mindful. Getting outside, talking with new people, and trying new things can help ignite a creative spark. Living life to the fullest is one of the ways to experience new emotions and create new memories that you can base your projects off of. There are ways to stay inspired, but sometimes it happens when you least expect it. Inspiration doesn’t always strike exactly when you want it to, but that’s the name of the game. How can you take a step out of your comfort zone and stay inspired?
Published by: Nelly Chavez
