Photo by jetheriot
It happens to the best of us. A dry spell when the ideas take a hiatus in your head. Whether you are a writer, an artist, a chef, a teacher, a designer, or indulge in any other creative venture, there comes a time when the flow of ideas slows, and nothing seems to be able to kick start the imagination.
I know what it is like, through painting, cooking, and even blogging I have had periods of time where all I can do is stare blankly at my canvas/fridge/computer. The harder I seem to try, the less I seem to accomplish.
Before you go absolutely insane, step away from the computer screen, and take a deep breath. With a little help the ideas will come pouring in.
♥ Watch your favorite movie, look at imagery and colors, listen to dialog and background sounds, take inspiration from the characters, their costumes, and their mannerisms. Look at rooms, furniture, and plants. In other words, look at all the things you normally aren’t focusing on when you watching your favorite movie.
♥ Meditate. Turn off the TV, turn off the music, turn off the distractions. Close your eyes and sit back for a few minutes, and concentrate on your breathing. Your body and mind will feel revitalized.
♥ Pre-write/sketch or whatever it is you do. This to me has been time and time again the best way to get the ideas flowing. If you write, just start writing, with no aim or direction, just write your thoughts, or about your day and go from there. If you draw or paint, just start sketching the things you see around you.
♥ Write, draw, sculpt, dance quickly and freely for two minutes. Let all your thoughts out in any way possible, in sentences, lists, or scribbles as quickly as possible. Once the two minutes is up sit back and reflect on the ideas you had, and try to connect the thoughts.
♥ Go for a walk or hike. I like to do this alone when I need inspiration. Leave the iPod at home, and take a good thirty minute stroll in an area where you don’t usually walk, or on a hike you don’t usually go on. Take in all the sights and sounds. This will get the blood flowing to your brain, as well as drawing inspiration from your surroundings.
♥Put on one of your favorite albums and lay on the couch with the window open (if weather permits).
♥ Go through a magazine (or many) cutting out any image that catches your eye. Clothes, food pictures, a beach, whatever. Tack them all to a board somewhere. Look and add to it whenever you need inspiration.
♥ Wash the dishes. Doing mundane activities such as the dishes allows your hands to be busy, and your brain to continue working. Thinking about what you have already done and where you want to get to will be much easier after a big sink full of dishes!
♥ Prevent interruptions. Turn your cell phone on silent, disallow pings to your email from MySpace or Live Journal. How can anyone accomplish anything with things popping up every few minutes?
♥ Start studying! Do a little research into your subject, finding out facts about what you plan on writing about is a great way to start the flow of ideas.
♥ Treat yourself. Go out to your favorite bakery and order some coffee and a cupcake, bring a pad of paper in case anything pops up that you absolutely must get onto paper. Sit back and do some people watching. Watching others interact has inspired me time and time again.
Whatever your passion is, there will most likely come a time when you feeling like throwing in the towel. Taking some time to yourself, and getting away from your project for a short time is the best (and possibly the hardest!) thing you can do for your mind. With a few pushes in the right direction, you will be back on track in no time!
What things have worked for you in the past when your brain has drawn a blank?
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