when you feel creatively dry.
Do you ever have those weeks that, when they’re over, you think: I’m so glad I never have to live THAT again?
Well that was this week for me.
I’m tired of being in isolation and lockdown here in Melbourne.
My energy levels in general feel depleted.
And I’m struggling with comparison big time — taking my eyes off my own purpose and comparing myself to everyone else’s work instead.
I certainly didn’t feel like creating.
Maybe you’ve had days or weeks or seasons even, where you feel creatively dry, uninspired, unmotivated, unfulfilled, or disconnected from your creative purpose.
I totally feel you.
So how do you keep creating when you feel like the creative well is completely dry?
First of all, go easy on yourself. Nothing’s wrong with you.
The creative process rarely happens in one clean, straight, perfect line. It’s messy and imperfect and random.
Creatively dry seasons often feel uncomfortable and tense. It’s in embracing the discomfort and tension that you experience growth, which feeds the depth of your creativity.
The stuff we resist and don’t like is often the spark for our best ideas.
Lean into the moments when you do feel that rush of inspiration. Know that when those moments leave — they always come back around.
I watched Chadwick Boseman’s 2018 Howard University commencement address this week. The entire speech is beautiful, and well worth a few minutes of your time.
But two things really stuck out to me, especially in a week I struggled to find inspiration and energy for my own work:
“I remember walking across this yard on what seemed to be a random day, my head down lost in my own world of issues like many of you do daily. I’m almost at the center of the yard. I raised my head and Muhammad Ali was walking towards me. Time seemed to slow down as his eyes locked on mine and opened wide.”
Boseman proceeds to describe how he and Ali engaged in a play fight for a few moments, and his utter amazement at it all. If he never looked up, he likely would’ve missed that magical moment.
Look up — creativity is found ALL around you. You might be too busy or consider your tasks too important to see it some days, but it’s there. If you’re feeling creatively dry, stop for a minute and take in the world around you with eyes of wonder.
“Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.”
Even on your very worst days — you still have a purpose. Your creativity has a purpose. Your big dreams and ideas have a purpose. Did you know that about yourself?
So whether it’s been days, weeks, months, or years since you felt creatively inspired — pause, look up at the world around you, and know: you are here, right now, for a purpose.
