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Everyone has days when they feel blah. There is always going to be some day when you hit a bump in the road. And sometimes this bump feels worse when you have had a great run, feeling good, refreshed, productive. It is like smooth sailing on a highway, with great music, feeling pumped about life, and then suddenly getting a flat tire. You hit a frustrating time with a dry patch where excitement seems to have disappeared, work becomes routine again, and creating feels a bit forced and pointless.
This post is for those of you who LOVE creating, and hitting a block is not just impacting your work, but robbing you of a source of major joy in your life. and as a result, you are feeling BLAH. Or maybe you are feeling blah and that is why you are unable to create. Well, it is like the chicken and the egg situation. What came first? We don’t know, but there are some things you can do to get out of this circle.
So what do you do when you feel blah? If you are a creator who has gotten a flat tire on the creator’s block and/or feel low, here are a few simple ways that can help you get back into your car and cruising again.
Note: These tips have worked for me personally, whenever I feel stuck creatively and the hopelessness from my depression kicks in. I know what it feels like to feel blah for “no reason”, and everything seems dreary and mundane.
1. Get Re-Inspired When You Feel Blah
For creators, this low point can happen any time that there is a lack of inspiration, or if the inspiration well has run dry. So the easiest solution is to get inspired again!
Go out in nature. Stare at the clouds changing shape. Exercise. Read a book, try a different type of art, or talk to someone. Get out of your head. Stretch. Meditate. Explore others’ art, like on Youtube, or online. Avoid social media. I find that it is more a source of anxiety than inspiration for me. Even if I see great art, I start comparing. But, I do go on Pinterest. Listen to some music.
Take as much time as you need to just nurture your creative soul. It could be an afternoon, a whole day, or a dedicated week off to find your creativity.
Tip: Don’t beat yourself up if you have taken off a week to reconnect with your creativity. If you feel blah, indulging in negative self-talk will only push you away from inspiration and feeling better. So, take time off if you need to, guilt-free.
2. Exercise to Feel Good
Creator’s block can also be a result of burnout or overthinking. When I feel blah, a lot of times my brain just needs a break. I usually find that the best way to switch off my brain is to work my body. When I exercise, whether I am running, lifting weights, dancing, or doing yoga, my focus is on my body and using my muscles, not stuck in a spiral of thoughts.
Not only does exercising give my brain a break, but it is also proven to make you feel good by releasing feel-good hormones called endorphins.
I just got this cute yoga mat for myself (in pink). It makes me feel so happy to do yoga on a cute pink mat rather than some ugly thing staring at my face while I do downward dog.
3. Take a Break From Consuming
Sometimes all I want to do is vegetate and sit on the couch watching TV. And that is okay. But remember, it is a good idea to set some sort of time limit. I find that if I go on a binge, I usually end up feeling worse.
Creating content rather than consuming is much more satisfying, even though the latter is the easier option.
So, it is important to remember to switch off the TV, because even if it gives you momentary happiness, after 5 hours of watching TV, you might not like yourself too much. Setting any time limit, even if it is 5 hours, inculcates discipline, and makes sure you don’t get stuck in a rut of consuming and instant gratification rather than creating and long-term satisfaction.
Check out this book if you need some inspiration for daily art. I haven’t tried it myself but it looks so inspirational! I have always wanted to be one of those cool artists who sits in a cafe and draws what she sees 😛
4. Do Something Nice for Yourself When You Feel Blah
If you are feeling under the weather, it is okay. It will pass, like everything does. So just be a little kind.
Play some music, put on a face mask, look at the mirror and tell yourself you are amazing. Bake a brownie and eat it. Dance around the room. Or, if you feel like cuddling in bed with yourself, do that. Make yourself a card.
Make a delicious cup of coffee, sit outside, and just relax listening to your favourite music or podcast.
When I am trying to pamper myself to feel good, I love making something a little extra special for myself. So I usually make my coffee a bit different; I’ll add cinnamon or use a frother to foam some milk. Or, I’ll get out my special flavoured coffee (which I absolutely LOVE!). The vanilla and hazelnut are my favourites (although they have other flavours). And sometimes I will mix both vanilla and hazelnut together to make that extra special coffee. Small things like this can really lift you up. It is a little whisper of love from you to yourself, which is the best. You can only feel good and create when you value and love yourself.
I love this face mask! The pink color makes me feel so luxurious and girly. And the act of applying it all over my face calms me down. The brush strokes feels like painting, so if you don’t have creative inspiration, just paint your face with this 😀
5. Write to Release Your Blahness
Try to release your feelings. Writing is therapeutic, and maybe you can just walk through your creator’s block and become inspired again.
Click to get this adorable teal leather journal! (less than Rs. 500 as of 18:50 IST, 15-06-2020.
Even though writing is one of my art forms, if I don’t know what to write I try to just journal my feelings. It helps me pinpoint why I am feeling low, while also stretching my writing muscles. And, sometimes I am inspired by what I am feeling too! If not, at least I feel a little better getting my feelings out on paper. Suddenly, they seem a little more digestible.
6. Try to Focus on the Good
Yeah, that is so cliche. But there is a reason this statement is overused. When we focus on the negative things, we will obviously feel terrible.
Here is an exercise: think about a fight you had with someone, or the last time you failed at something. You are going to feel disgusting.
Now, think of the last time you succeeded at something. Think of walking along a beach with ice cream in your hand. Think about your favourite person to talk to. Think about your favourite memory from childhood. How do you feel now?
Focusing on good things rather than what is making you feel blah can instantly make you feel much better.
Conclusion:
The next time you feel blah, or things don’t seem great and happy, try one of these tips.
Try one of these tips and feel the difference!
Tell me, what made you feel less blah?
Pin it for later!
Anxious perfectionists like me especially need these reminders! I often find myself not wanting to write unless I’m inspired or have “the perfect” idea but that’s not how it works! Thanks 🙂
Same! I relate so much to “anxious perfectionists”! I hope you are able to allow yourself to enjoy the process and create without letting perfectionism hold you back. Lots of love <3
I couldn’t agree more. There are moments where I have to try and snap myself out of my perfectionist quest ?. Love the post!
Me too! It gets really tough to escape the constant need for perfectionism, but with a bit of kindness towards ourselves, we can get better 🙂
“feel blah?” :)) I would go with some exercises
😀 that is a great way to feel better instantly!
Good tips , and avoiding Social media during low time always works for me , it’s true it creates Anxiety ?
Thanks for sharing
Most welcome 🙂 Glad it helped 🙂
Great post! When I’m feeling like blahhh I take it as time that I need to be nicer than myself. That usually turns into a whole spa day or reading a nice book out on my patio.
Love this! Such great ideas and gorgeous photos. This is the type of positivity everyone needs when going through a “blah” stage
Thank you! Yeah, I think it is MOST important to be positive when you feel blah.
Beautiful post, nice photos. Original. I like doing something for myself and
excercise..
Thank you! So glad to know you are taking care of yourself! 🙂
These are some great tips to help get rid of the blahs!
Hope they helped! 🙂
Great article! I do feel blah sometimes so I try to read ebooks / blogs and go to Pinterest to get inspiration. 🙂
Christa | http://www.thelewicreative.com
Yes, same here! Love pinterest!
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These are some great tips to help get rid of the blahs.Great article! I do feel blah sometimes so I try to read ebooks / blogs and go to Pinterest to get inspiration.
Yeah same here!
This artcle is so nice and usefull
thank you! glad you found it helpful! 🙂
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