Creating anything can be tricky especially if you’re a perfectionist. It’s very discouraging when the process doesn’t come together the way we want it to. Below are some ways to get you back on track and maximize your creative process.
Take A Break
Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away and take a break. Picture it like an orange or a lemon you keep squeezing and squeezing but only so much juice is going to come out. Your brain is the orange and the squeezing is the energy you expend during the creative process. Stepping away from the project can help you replenish and restore that “orange.” Because if you don’t, you may end up getting frustrated. This can lead to never finishing what you started.
Look At Other Art
Whether you are writing a book, painting, or making music. It’s good to get inspiration from other artists. We all want our art to be original but there is nothing new under the sun. There’s a fine line between copying something compared to drawing inspiration from it. For example, say you are having writers block for a song you are working on. Let’s say it’s a soul song about how your mother supported you throughout the years. But you’ve never listened to soul music and you’re having trouble getting the words out. Go listen to that particular genre and/or a similar genre. You’d be surprised how the ideas will flow out!
Experiment In The Creative Process
Try experimenting with your creative process. If you are having writers block try looking at things from a different angle. For example, if your a painter that uses a lot of red why not try using blue? If you write a lot of sad tunes try writing a love song. It may seem uncomfortable but often pushing the boundaries on what we are capable of, is the very thing that makes art, art! You can reshape, remake, rebuild, and sometimes restore! “You are confined only by the walls you build yourself” – Andrew Murphy.
Make Mistakes
Many artists are so afraid of making mistakes even though mistakes in art can be mostly subjective (Even on a technical level). It’s important to make mistakes, that how we grow, that’s how we learn. When we accept that we are going to make mistakes it takes the pressure off of us and allows our craft to truly shine. Embrace your mistakes! Write a cheesy bad love song, cause you’ve never written one before. Eventually you will do it enough that you’ll get better and better!