{"id":2519,"date":"2018-09-07T08:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-09-07T06:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justmeneesha.com\/?p=2519"},"modified":"2021-07-06T10:59:55","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T08:59:55","slug":"creative-block","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmeneesha.com\/index.php\/2018\/09\/07\/creative-block\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do when a creative block happens"},"content":{"rendered":"

What to do when a creative block happens<\/span><\/h1>\n

On December 4, 2017, I launched my freelancing career in earnest. Since then, I have steadfastly and consistently shared and engaged with followers on my social media platforms. Advice, travails, highs, wins, reviews \u2026 I\u2019ve shared what drives me in my business. <\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve also created blogs, websites, and other content for various clients consistently through this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Producing content comes relatively easily for me. I sometimes wake at 4am to quickly make a note of something I\u2019d dreamt about. That phrase \u201cwhere did you dream that up?\u201d has taken on a whole new meaning for me these days.<\/span><\/p>\n

But last week, I needed a time out. Last week for the first time in a long while, I woke at 4am with no lightbulb going off. The dreaded block had crept in \u2026 and without warning curled it\u2019s icy fingers around my brain, freezing out any original idea I believed was there.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"JustMeneesha,

A real drawing of when I couldn’t create anything.<\/p><\/div>\n

Creative block<\/span><\/h3>\n

A creative block is a real condition where a person loses the ability to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown. It comes about for any number of reasons \u2014 stress, distractions, exhaustion \u2026 even love some say. <\/span><\/p>\n

I can\u2019t pinpoint what it is that causes my own sudden loss of creativity. All I know is I just could not find the motivation to create any content \u2014 for my clients or myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

My alarm was palpable – if I can\u2019t create I cannot earn a living. If I cannot earn a living my family would starve! My cats would hate me and leave home for greener pastures! My gosh, we would have to leave home for the warm spot under the bridge down the road! Did I mention I am a drama queen?<\/span><\/p>\n

The situation was not that dire, but it was another sobering reality. Sometimes, the creative juices just dry up. Without warning. With no remorse.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trick is how you deal with it. Do you curl up and accept your fate? Do you wait for the lightbulb to come back on? <\/span><\/p>\n

Digging in my heels<\/h3>\n

Trying to force myself to do anything has never worked for me in the past. In fact, forcing or ordering me to do anything generally has the opposite effect. I dig in my heels and stubbornly refuse to \u2014 even if it\u2019s good for me.<\/span><\/p>\n

This time I embraced the slump. I considered posting a gone fishing pic on all my social media platforms and email responses, but even that just didn\u2019t feel creative. So, I just didn\u2019t create any content.<\/span><\/p>\n

What did I do instead?<\/span><\/p>\n