There are few things more frustrating to a professional artist than experiencing a creative block. The feeling of being unable to create doesn’t just destroy self-confidence, but it can also ruin reputation. And when your creativity is your bread and butter, lacking motivation or ideas for your next piece is something that you can’t afford to have.
The good news is that the loss of inspiration or capacity to produce art is something that everyone in the trade has experienced at some point in their careers. Finding a way to mentally stimulate your artistry may appear like a colossal undertaking – and it can be in some cases – but it isn’t impossible to do. And we’ll discuss a few reasons why you may be feeling stuck as well as how to overcome them.
Overcoming your mental block
Artists who experience mental blocks are usually trapped within their thinking. They become too focused on their perspective and are unable to see any other way besides their own. There’s also the possibility that their inner critic is keeping them from seeing things clearly. Whatever the case may be, the solution to this problem is to change your thought process.
Instead of making assumptions, leave some room for the possibility your outlook may not necessarily be correct. Spend some time with family and friends and get their insights. Their viewpoints may offer you guidance and direction on what route to take. And as a result, motivate you to create art.
Getting past your emotional barriers
The pursuit of creativity can be an intense experience. Even with its connection to health and the many therapeutic benefits that it yields, when faced with the prospect of the unknown or dealing with painful subject matters can lead to resistance which, in turn, ends in procrastination. The only way to overcome this obstacle is to face them head on and accept their existence instead of ignoring them.
Not unlike getting into a swimming pool that is cold, it can be an unpleasant feeling at first. But ultimately, it will become less so. And once you’ve experienced the initial blow or shock, it will get easier. And only though enduring the emotional barriers that are keeping you from producing your art will you conquer it.
Dealing with personal problems
The one thing that creativity demands is focus. And if you’re dealing with personal problems, such as disputes with family members or getting through a divorce, it can hamper your ability to work. And if you find yourself in this situation, you’ll either need to cope with it or resolve the concern. While it is undoubtedly true that not every problem can be easily addressed, there are a number of ways that you can keep it from interfering with work that you need to do.
For starters, meditation can help put you in the right frame of mind. If you need to de-stress, engaging in an enjoyable activity of working out will allow you to calm your senses and relax. Whichever route you decide to take, finding what works for you can go a long way in helping you manage through your problems and elevate your creativity.
Creative blocks are fairly common for artists. And as aggravating as they might be, it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility to beat these obstacles. And by following the strategies above, you’ll get your creative juices flowing again in no time.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from: https://pixabay.com/photos/brush-paint-color-watercolor-art-96240/
2nd featured image from: https://pixabay.com/photos/painting-acrylic-paint-background-3135875/
