I’ve been frustrated this week. Like seriously frustrated. I suffered from Crafter’s Block last week. It was pretty awful. Notice I didn’t post anything last week. I tried, I really tried. It was like someone built a concrete wall right in the middle of my creative process. Ideas I had previously just didn’t look right and I couldn’t think of anything new. I’m always influenced by holidays, but there’s not too much holiday inspiration in late July and early August. What’s a creative girl to do?
So I searched all kinds of blogs and websites for information on creative blocks. Writer’s block, crafter’s block; there are tons of places to find information to help combat it. But all the info is the same. Go on Pinterest, buy a magazine. Blah. I love Pinterest (you should follow me!), but it’s a bunch of other peoples’ ideas. And there’s too much. Pinterest can pose a problem if you have Creative A.D.D. (Yes, that’s my official diagnosis.) Magazines are great as well, but the best ones are at the book store, and by the time I get there, deal with what the kids want to look at, find a magazine (probably British and overpriced), purchase and drive home, I’ll need a nap. So much for being creative.
So here are ten ideas I came up with that worked for me:
1. Clear your space. Sometimes when I have a creative block I look around and find clutter all over. Sometimes it’s my stuff…supplies from other projects that I didn’t put away. Sometimes Usually it is toys that belong to the kids. Regardless of who owns it, it needs to go. Clutter is distracting and really unnecessary. It’s also very hard to keep on top of. But if you can get rid of it, that clears up that much space in your brain for new creative ideas.
2. Cook something new. Cooking, baking and preparing food is creative. There is always a sense of accomplishment when someone devours some kind of culinary creation that you made for them. Use a new spice in an unexpected way. Today at Costco I had TajÍn on freshly sliced apples…common in Mexico but totally new to me. My tastebuds came alive. Play with your food.
3. Pick a color. Check out Design Seeds. It’s a site that has color palettes inspired by gorgeous photography. I often go there with a certain color in mind and discover amazing palettes based off of that one color. Or you can pick a color out of a paint deck. Do it randomly. Ask yourself what you could do with that color…
Chihuly Exhibit at the Desert Botancal Gardern 2014
4. Grab your camera and take a walk. You picked a color, or a palette, now go for a walk and take pictures of anything you see in that color. Take thousands of pictures. Go to a park or the zoo. I’d hit up the Desert Botanical Garden here in Scottsdale or the Japanese Garden in Portland. But my creative works are very influenced by botanicals. Do you have an inspirational space? If your answer is no, maybe focus on finding one.
5. Take a class. Why not learn a new skill? Thank goodness for the internet. You are now able to take classes at 1:27 am via the internet for the price of couple lattes (or Dirty Diet Coke if that’s your thing). Craftsy and Skillshare are the first two that come to mind. Oh, and the gorgeous ladies at A Beautiful Mess have online classes too! I will be taking French Macarons 101 pretty soon here. I think French Macarons are glamourous and probably calorie free. Don’t judge.
6. Buy a box. New craft ideas delivered to your door? Yes please. Order a Darby Smart box or a Brit Kit and get a surprise craft box delivered to your door. Learn a new craft! Definitely branch out…try needle felting or flower pressing! Ok, so this isn’t an immediate fix, but it will definitely help.
7. Exercise. It sounds stupid but it’s proven that exercise helps clear your mind and elevate your mood. We all need that and a clear mind makes way for new ideas. If you don’t believe me, read this article by the American Psychiatric Association.
Sisal Rope Table from 2011
8. Repeat a project you’ve already done. Make it better. Chances are you have supplies left over from a project you made ages ago. You may have even blogged about it. Do it again and make it better. (And take better photos!)
9. Call your mom. Or your dad. Or someone else who knows your creative style. You’d be surprised on the input they have to give you. Even if the ideas seems stupid they are still ideas, and you can build upon them. (To my mom: Not yours! Your ideas are never stupid. Love you!)
10. Pinterest. Fine. I give in. Check out Pinterest or Craftgawker. Great ideas are posted on Pinterest every second. Just remember, there’s a difference between pinning and doing. You’re a doer.
Does this help? What do you do to inspire creativity? I’d love to know!
Fabulous list! I know I sometimes goes through dry spells…lol.
Thank you. I needed to read what you wrote. I am recovering from a brain injury. This post is helping me reconnect to the skills and knowledge I have, just have trouble accessing.
Tara-
I’m glad this post can help you in any little way it can. I’m sure you feel frustrated at times and I really hope you recover quickly.
-Jessa
Great post! I have definitely been going through a dry spell – creativity wise, and this gave me some great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Great tips! Sometimes you need to back away from things to get inspiration 🙂 Hope to see again tomorrow at the Coast to Coast Blog Hop Party! xo Margarita – WestCoastMama.net
I agree with tip No. 1 – clutter IS distracting. 🙂 However, my favourite is No. 4 – one walk could have so much impact on one’s mind, inspiration, mood…but I never thought of looking for a color and photographing it. That is such a good advice! Thanks!
Ideas come and go…they’ll be back! Thanks for sharing ways to help it be sooner than later with us over on Family Joy Blog Linkup.
Thanks for sharing your awesome list at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy!
Congrats – you are on of our Featured Guests at this week’s party!
Getting stuck for ideas is the worst. I always start with cleaning my space when I’m stuck, and most of the time I find a note or a just started project I forgot about to get me going again! Thanks for sharing. I’m stopping by from the Dear Creatives party!
Getting rid of clutter is a great idea!