When the Creative Juices just don't flow

[puppetmaker]

I consider myself a pretty creative person. I'm also a decent problem solver when working on a project. I tend to try to work through all the potential problems in my head before I really get into the actual nuts and bolts of what I am making. So I think a lot before I do anything.

Right now I have a couple of things I need to do. I know how to do them but I am not doing them and I haven't a clue why. Well I have a few but none that really make any sense given my situation.

It is funny that if I were writing a story, I would just push through this. But sewing can't be pushed because in that direction lay madness or a lot of frustration when things don't turn out properly. Paper crafts when pushed can result in a lot of materials being wasted. I do know that part of creating is making mistakes and I have made enough of them. My parts box speaks to that.

I think I might just pull out some fur and work on an idea that I have been mulling in my head now for a while. It probably won't turn into anything cool but it might shake out some of the cobwebs in my brain. Or maybe I'll make some more eyeballs to use at NYCC. Something simple that will possibly unblock the dam on my creative juices and get them flowing again.

So what do you do when creativity is elusive?

I am grateful for things that get my brain back in working order.

Comments

[wandereringray.livejournal.com]

Generally I do something mundane - housecleaning, workout, watch a movie, or read a book. Sometimes all I need is a rest.

Oh and I bug my husband. :D A five minute conversation sometimes where I'm talking about the problem I'm having will get the wheels in my head moving again.

Let's assume you are not being rhetorical for a moment...

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

So what do you do when creativity is elusive?

When I am writing, I will often try to draw (which I can't do worth a darn). Or I will take a shower, and write in my head.

When I am sewing, I will make something small, by hand, especially when I am working on a big project. The act of finishing the little one gives me some focus to work on the bigger one.

Or, I just crank the music and pretend I am in a rock band. For some reason, this gives me all sorts of energy to tackle a project...

[theresamather.livejournal.com]

I go do something else and forget about it. Doing something outside of the house is best. Usually in a day or two something clicks and I want to get busy again.

[paigemom.livejournal.com]

Walk a dog or two.

Take the kid on an outing.

Go shopping.

Clean my house.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything specific I do. I just tend to leave whatever it is alone and do something else.

Sometimes just walking away is good.

And my best ideas come in the shower anyway.

[blackrosebard.livejournal.com]

I've recently stepped pretty far back from the writing, because I was getting locked up more than not. But, I noticed, with me less focused on Fandom writing, my original fic muses are starting to be more talkative, and this seems to be breaking up the log jam of creativity I had been having.

Typically, though, if my words won't come, I try to dabble in the visual. And if neither will work, I might actually go pick up plastic canvas, or pillow-making material, just to find a different medium to change my routine for a while.

[wherdafux-d-cat.livejournal.com]

I try to go do something completely different so the stuck part of my mind can just sit and perk away quietly in the background. It'll usually unstick itself right when I'm in the middle of something that I really can't stop in, like mowing the yard. ;-)