Ten Tips to Undo Creative Blocks

Ten Tips to Undo Creative Blocks

Creative blocks. They can happen to anybody. They are frustrating. Discouraging. Even maddening. Blocks can happen when we are stressed, when we feel disconnected, or even simply unmotivated to be creative. However, creative blocks also hit us out of the blue. We just wake up, sit down to create and realize that there isn’t anything there in our heads to create. This sometimes happens when we have been working and working without a break.  Creative blocks can be a wake up call that something in our creative life needs to change or be shaken up a bit. What are the keys to getting unblocked? I have compiled a list of ten ways that you can use to move through the block and back into your creative groove.

  1. Change the Scenery: If you work at home or studio, go someplace else. Work from a coffee shop or at the park for a little while. Pack up the minimum amount of supplies you will need and just go. I have, on a few occasions, packed up scissors, glue, papers, and cards and gone to Starbucks around the corner. I sat with my coffee, people watched and made cards. I have even taken my laptop and knocked out two to three blog posts at a time sitting at a coffee shop. For some reason, I can sometimes tune in easier there than I can at home.
  2. Do Something Different: If you are a card maker that uses stamps, try your hand at some watercolor paints or clay. If you are a writer, it might mean your mind needs a words break, so color or draw. I find that I keep a few projects on hand that aren’t on time schedules that I can pick up and do when I am stuck on writing or card-making. It breaks up the monotony of the same thing. Even when you love it, sometimes the brain needs a break.
  3. Come out of Isolation: I have noticed many creatives get busy and into a project and they isolate themselves to get their work done. They are in “the zone”. This is great but if you suddenly find yourself stuck instead of creating, one of the things you can do is socialize. It can be with your family or friends. Go out to lunch with someone you haven’t seen for a while. Sit down with the kids and see what is going on in their world. It is so easy to become intensely focused when we are zoned in on a project that we forget we need the company of other people sometimes.
  4. Read Inspiring Blogs/Posts: Even if you read it before. I have gone back and read a post more than once because I found it inspirational. I also make sure there are bloggers that I can go to for some inspiration when I need it. Some great ones are: Jamie Riddler, Tery Lynn, Lamisha Serf- Walls, Leonie Dawson, and Chris Guillebeau. I am sure there are more. I discover them all the time using Pinterest. It is also a great place to go for some inspiration and ideas when you have creative blocks.
  5. Practice Mindfulness and Affirmations: This is an easy one to forget to do when we start or end our day. It is so easy just to jump into our work or to crash into bed that we often forget the importance of being mindful and practicing affirmations. I put these together because I use them as a practice at the same time. When I write my affirmations down, I am practicing being mindful of my goals and dreams. I create an awareness of them in conscious mind so that they stay with me through out the course of the day. Done right, I use them to reinforce choices/decisions that need to be made for the interest of myself, my family or my dreams. Mindfulness can also be just breathing for five minutes in silence. Allowing yourself to simply be in the moment before you jump into work or fall into sleep. Affirmations, ones that are believable to ourselves, have been shown to be a positive force in following our path and reinforcing a positive outlook on ourselves and our lives.
  6. Read: Pick up a book. It doesn’t really matter what kind it is so long as it is fun and enjoyable to you. Let the book inspire you in one way or another. I remember I was so inspired by Eat Pray Love, I bought copies for my co-workers and friends. Over the years, I have found inspiration in many types of books. I love Brene’ Brown, Chris Guillebeau, SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy), and just finished You are a Badass! (which I LOVED and was totally inspired by). On the other hand I am currently reading Simon Sinek’s, “Start with Why”, which is inspiring in a totally different way. I also find inspiration in poetry such as Billy Collins and Mary Oliver. Reading can be a great source of inspiration and bring a resurgence of creative energy.
  7. Get Physical: Move. Go for a walk. Put on some music and dance. Go for a bike ride. Visit the gym. Just move your body. The movement of our bodies does great things for our brains, producing all kinds of happy chemicals that help our brain work. When I was in college, I worked with an instructor who would give us breaks during long working periods. She would guide us through movement and simple dance exercises to help us refocus our brains and wake us up after sitting for so long. If your creative work is something like dance or theater where you are already physical, try some other type of movement. Do something you normally would not do to break up the routine.
  8. Nourish Yourself: Have you eaten anything? Did it nourish you or was it a quick sugar rush and now you are crashing? It is so easy to get into a zone of concentration and forget to properly take care of our body. It needs fuel. Our brain needs fuel. It is easy to grab the sugary treat at the coffee shop or just drink a cup of coffee at home and start working but our bodies need more than that. They need nutrients for sustained energy. That way we don’t crash. I am not innocent in this. There have been plenty of times I have skipped breakfast or had a sugary muffin or slice of pumpkin bread. However, I have been on a new path, food wise, and have begun to learn the importance of balanced eating, especially not skipping breakfast and including more protein. I didn’t realize it but for years I have been protein deprived. I added some more vegetarian substitutes and protein shakes to my diet and it has made a huge difference. If you are feeling blocked because you are crashing, check what you are eating.
  9. Make Connections: Connect with other writers, artists, card-makers, dancers, or have a mixed group of creative minds. But connect with people who know what it is like to get into the creative zone. Other people who understand creative blocks and failures. Connect with them in person or through social media but connect. It is awful to feel alone and as though no one understands the creative quandary you may be in. Hang around like minded creative people who you can bounce off ideas and may offer constructive criticism. Get Connected.
  10. Know this will Pass: Creative blocks, like many things in life, will pass. They happen, we work through it, instead of fighting it, and then we move forward. Just keep reminding yourself that this is only temporary. The creative block will pass and you will keep going.

   Click to download the PDF: 10 Tips to Undo Creative Blocks.png

SaveSave

SaveSave

Christine Musser: The Wandering Writer

I first met Christine nearly fifteen years ago as we both entered Vermont College in Montpelier. She came with a big smile, and a bubbly personality that lit up the room. Her love of history was so deep that she would sleep with history books stacked on her bed, reading until she fell asleep. She lives life full of passion and brings that passion to her writing, her photography and now her teaching.

Christine can often been found wandering through her favorite places in Pennsylvania. Her camera is her companion; she always has it on her. Her pictures often posted on her Facebook page of the beauty she discovers. Let me tell you what makes her so special. She is a great friend. Always there to talk to and willing to fly to California to surprise me for my 40th birthday. Friends, and such passionate people as her are priceless.

How did The Wandering Pen came to be?

I have wandered since I was a child and still enjoy doing it. I like to explore and learn new things. I like to write about places I’ve been; I mainly did this in my journal then decided I would blog about the places I’ve been to.
What inspired you?
It was probably growing up on a 92 acre farm where roaming was endless.

Where do you wander? What are some of your favorite places to wander for photography and/or writing?  

I wander often to rural areas; I love the country & the mountains. I am also drawn to water; such as the Conodoguinet Creek (Native American name means water with many bends) or the Susquehanna River; named for the Susquehannocks who lived in South Central PA in the late 17th century. These are places I like to photograph, as well as old barns and rustic looking buildings.

Where does your love of history come from?

My love of history comes from my love of family. I am a believer that history needs to be told or learned in order to understand who we are. I believe that family history is important. And in learning family history you can’t help to think about the periods of time our ancestors lived in or their struggles during those periods.

Where do you see your path leading you in the future of writing and teaching?

Both. I believe they are intertwined, at least for me they are. For me writing is teaching. I believe teaching will inspire me to write.

I know you were a history major and love history but did you also always want to be a writer? 

I have always been a writer. At times I feel cursed because writing is something I have to do. I think it picked me rather than I picked it.

Was writing something you fell in love with later?
No, writing and I have a love- hate relationship.
My love-hate relationship with writing is because there are many times I want to call it quits with my writing, but like a stalking lover, it won’t let me be. I have to write, even if it’s just writing in my journal. Writing is in me. I am always thinking about writing and what to write.

What influences your writing and your photography?

Everyday living really. The media, family, and people. My photography can influence my writing, but it’s not at the foundation of it.

 I notice a lot of your photos are local to you. Is this where your heart is?

A lot of my photos are taken within Pennsylvania; mainly because that is where I’m at most of the time. I do have places I really enjoy shooting like the Susquehanna River along Fort Hunter and the Rockville Bridge.

What are your current projects?
Currently, I am working with Silver Spring Township on their own book narrative. This will be different from what I published with Arcadia,  which was more of a pictorial history with photos used from private collections. The new one will be mostly narrative with some photos of historical buildings in the township.
The book, Silver Spring Township, can be found at here.
It can also be purchased via Arcadia, Whistlestop Bookshop, & Amazon.

I am revamping my website, and in October I will start substituting at local schools. I am also working on another book of my own.
I’m keeping the subject confidental, but I found the topic while working on my book for Arcadia.
Where does the love of history come from?

My love of history comes from my love of family. I am a believer that history needs to be told or learned in order to understand who we are. I believe that family history is important. And in learning family history you can’t help to think about the periods of time our ancestors lived in or their struggles during those periods.

Where do you see your path leading you in the future of writing and teaching?

Both. I believe they are intertwined, at least for me they are. for me writing is teaching. I believe teaching will inspire me to write.

Do you think the Bosler story was a spring board into your other projects? That it was a good place to begin this journey?

The Bosler story took me out of my comfort zone. My drive to tell the Bosler story took me to Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota; where otherwise, I probably would never have gone to those places. The one hold up with the Bosler story I need to do further research and that needs done in Sioux City, Iowa and I am just not sure when I will have the opportunity to go there. I will more than likely need to spend a month there. Back to your question about the Bosler story being a spring board, yes, it was a catalyst to where i’m at now.  I haven’t completed the Bosler story, but it’s always on my mind. Just the other day i received an email from someone inquiring about the Carlisle Boslers. I go back and forth with whether or not to move forward with the Bosler book

The last questions are just FUN ones. What is all your all time, no holding back, favorite meal/food and where is One place you want to travel to that you haven’t yet?

It has to be something that has black beans, salsa and hot peppers and really messy – like Mexican Quinoa.
Petite syrah (thanks to my friend Laura bringing the wine in September to Vermont) with pepper jack cheese.
Where to travel to? That’s an easy one – the south of France.

Below are a few of Christine’s beautiful pictures. 

10659279_1440728946231007_5704082763141134330_n 15604090639_b9cf540128_o _MG_7564

2015-10-01Christine Musser holds a bachelor’s degree in American History from Vermont College at Union Institute & University. She has also taken history courses at Shippensburg University towards a master’s degree in Applied History. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) approached Christine in 2011 to use her article, “Preserving Memory: National Holocaust Memorial Museum Controversy”, in the Advanced Placement (AP) exam booklet. In March of 2013, she was approached again by ETS for permission to print additional copies of the article. Her article is currently referred to in AP English classes. Christine published Silver Spring Township for Arcadia Publishing “Images of America” series ; a pictorial history of Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. She has published several articles online and in print. Christine has participated in various historical events and an archeological dig at the Ephrata Cloister in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Currently, she is a member of the Silver Spring Township Conservation & Preservation Committee. Besides her interest in history, Christine also loves photography and to travel. Contact information: the_wandering_pen@yahoo.com
You can also find her at the following:

Author: Silver Spring Township
Facebook Page: The Wandering Pen
Twitter: The Wandering Pen
Blogs: The Wandering Pen, Happenings Around Cumberland County, PA, Happenings in Christine’s World
Photography: The Wandering Photographer

%d bloggers like this: