I love to create. Creating has always been a huge part of my life and the best outlet for my emotions, especially stress, sadness and anxiety. There is no worse feeling for me than when that outlet just isn't working. When I can't seem to gather my thoughts let alone put them together and create something I am confident enough to share with the world.

Lately, I have been in a creative rut. Finding the idea for this article was a struggle. My sketchbook hasn't been opened in close to a month, my watercolors are all dried up, my ukulele is collecting dust and my idea journal is at the bottom of my bookbag just begging to be used.

I am in a creative rut, and that is okay because I will beat it and some amazing creations will follow it.

As a creator, it is very important to respect the creative process from the first glimpse of an idea to the lowest point all the way to the finished creation. Step away from something when it just isn't going anywhere. Take a break, seek inspiration and begin again.

When I find myself laying on my floor surrounded by crumpled up papers covered in failed ideas I know I am in a creative rut. Ruts are part of being a creator and as much as I hate them at the end of every creative rut is an amazing idea. There is no better feeling than the first great creation after a long hiatus.

My creative process is mine and I have learned to respect all the parts of it. I give myself time to go out and find inspiration. I sit in front of empty word documents with a big cup of tea or coffee and torture myself with failed articles. I take breaks from making music, painting and poetry even though I love them because sometimes I have to wait for inspiration.

I have to experience many highs and lows in the creative process before I can make something amazing and worth sharing with the world. Some ruts are longer than others and some have more purpose than others, but I can only listen to the Hamilton soundtrack so many times and pin so many pictures on Pinterest before the creative juices flow back into my soul.

So sit down and get frustrated. Let your watercolors dry out and your ukelele strings fall out of tune. Take some time and be patient with yourself. Creative block is part of being a creator. Embrace it and remember that great ideas will come.