Stagnation to Inspiration: Embrace the Creative journey

It happens to us all. Whether it be in work, life, or even with our own passions, we all hit a wall at one point or another. At times it feels as though there’s no way through or around. That every attempt at progress feels thwarted by some invisible force. These “blocks” are a formidable adversary. Even more so in the realm of creativity. I personally know that when you feel like you can’t create something, you feel as though you’ve lost a part of yourself.

In those moments, it’s important to recognize that the idea of being stuck does not directly correlate to any inadequacies. Rather, it is a shared human experience. The blank canvas, the empty page, the silent instrument — they all echo the sentiment of creative minds facing an impasse.

However, there is a light at the end of that tunnel. For where there is stillness, there is the potential for a breakthrough. It signals a call to pause and to recalibrate our creative compass. To navigate the labyrinth that is our conciseness we must remember all that came before. The good we’ve done, the moments of accomplishment, and even the tribulations that we have surpassed. There is inspiration in everything, so soak it all in. Expand your interests, switch mediums, adhere to the mundane. Do what you feel is right in that exact moment.

A breakthrough is imminent. We’re all simply still water waiting for a pebble to ripple us back to what we know.

Growth.

Even if we don’t return to our normal, paving a way forward is growth in and of itself. The world may appear different after a block, and that’s okay. We are not meant to stay the same forever. Just as your interests and passions change, so too do your emotions and perspective. Take that into consideration if you ever feel as though you’re not you. Maybe you’re just not that old version of you, and this new iteration is something that simply feels unfamiliar. To be able to feel the same joy and find contentment in new experiences, is what truly matters.

I used to love going to theme parks and participating in every attraction and event. Then one year it all changed. I didn’t feel that same spark doing the thing I thought I would always enjoy doing. Yet I found a similar if not more exciting journey. I began asking close friends for their input and opinions on projects I would work on and get them involved by using their suggestions. It created a sense of community like seeing all those people in a theme park there for the same reason. A shared sense of identity. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy theme parks anymore, I just no longer felt connected to the community around it. It took me several weeks to recognize that change and even longer to fully understand it.

I have now come to understand that when a block occurs it is almost like our mind is taking a moment to really ask us if this is truly a passion or if it was a joy for the current moment. Regardless of the answer, take solace in that you did have a great time prior, and that the experience is something you will always have to cherish. Change is okay, it helps us grow as people, and everyone will go through it more than just once.

We’re all human. Be kind to yourself.