HEY! HEY YOU! Yeah, you, creative person; CALM DOWN!
The above is actually what I have to tell myself when I'm going through a creative block. Look, fellow creative humans: I GET IT. Like really, I do. Being creative is exhausting and, sometimes, you really just can't do it anymore. And, especially when you're in college or, to some extent, even high school, and you're creativity is constantly being called upon, it doesn't just feel like a creative block. It feels like your entire world is falling apart and that you'll never be able to do anything ever again. These blocks can last anywhere from a few hours to a few years, but you know it? It's really, completely fine. While I'm not the most experienced creative individual, the feeling of loss surrounding a creative block is one I completely understand. While I've previously talked about my decision to transfer schools, I haven't discussed the creative block that came with it.
I really did not know what to do with myself. I felt like the creative life I'd been chasing since I was little had led me nowhere. It wasn't even like being at a 'fork in a road' or at 'two roads diverged in a wood' or anything like that; it was like being stranded in the middle of nowhere. I felt like I was nothing; an empty shell where a person had once been. I knew that my unhappiness at my school had whittled me down a bit. In high school, middle school, and even elementary, I was sometimes the only optimist in my group of friends. I enjoyed rehearsals, liked watching people learn choreography, etc.- I was happy to be a part of anything and everything creative. I made wildly creative projects, found creativity where none seemed to be, and smiled my way through anything attempting to quash that joy. So what happened? A lot of things. As I've detailed before, I felt untalented, but it was like the light in me gave out. I didn't want to be creative. And, if I ever felt a sliver of desire to be creative, it was like I didn't know how to be creative.
That, dear reader, is called a 'creative block'. It was a hell of a time. I hated myself and every dream and goal I had. So, what to do with this terrible grouping of emotions? Below I have listed my three step guide. It isn't great and, honestly, it probably won't work for everyone, but if it helps you at all, I'm glad. Just remember: You're not alone. You got this.
1. Keep taking in creative content: I am the first person to openly state that, when you're going through a creative block, it's really easy to bash every single bit of content you take in, because honestly you're kind of jealous of someone else's ability to create something. For example: during my slump, Lemonade was released. It's straight up brilliant and amazing, but (very lamely) I was like "pfft, Lemonade". I knew I was bluffing and so did everyone around me. The moment I watched it, though, I felt better. As a creative person, it is important to be aware of the creative world around you. I know that you personally feel non-creative at this moment, but seriously? Don't lie to yourself. Look up amazing creative things, stupid creative things; TAKE IN ALL OF IT. LEARN FROM IT.
2. Baby Steps: Take tiny steps to creativity. Make yourself something fun to eat (if you look at my Instagram you can find pictures of gluten-free apple crisp that I made for breakfasts and I taught myself to make my own granola), drive/walk home a new way, try a new coffee creamer, take a nap at a new time, etc- I DO NOT KNOW. Just try something new, no matter how small it will affect you in a new way.
3. BREATHE: Seriously. You'll get through this. You have a light inside of you. It's beautiful and ready. You'll get back to it no matter where you are right now.
