One of the things I struggle with as a creative business owner is the ebb and flow of my creative energy. There are so many places to put it – artwork, pattern development, ideation, new products, sewing projects, social media (!!!), blog posts… the list goes on. And although I’ve spent decades nurturing that energy and remembering to regularly refill the well, sometimes I forget and I start to run on empty. When that happens, I still come up with ideas, and I make myself do the work, but it lacks the spark and joy I usually bring to my work.
Lately, I’ve noticed that the creative well was running a bit low. Although I knew what I was supposed to be doing – I had planned out my work load, my social media and my blog posts, I just didn’t feel like it, and I started to ask myself why. I realized that over the past 3 or 4 years (I’m trying hard not to blame Covid), I’ve made some shifts that ebbed away at my restorative habits, and have had more of an impact than I realized. First, I stopped journaling. I’ve been a lifelong journal writer – like, beginning at age 8. It’s always been a way for me to dump out all the chaff and the pesky negativity, and also work through any problems taking up mental space. It’s also a chance to record things I want to remember, and document the things I notice – the beauty of the garden, the condition of my plants, the pretty birdsong filtering down through the plum tree leaves. At some point, I started to feel that it was taking up too much time, and wasn’t bringing much value. Instead, I started using a planner and focusing more on my productivity than my internal monologue. But I have started to realize that that inner monologue is one of my most vital sources of ideas and direction, often clarifying where I need to go, even if I don’t realize it. So a couple weeks ago, I bought a new journal, and I’m back at it.
Another thing that has changed – and this I am blaming on Covid – is the amount of time I spend outside my house on a weekly basis. I’ve been working at home for many years, so that part isn’t new, but over the pandemic years I really got out of the habit of just going OUT. To shop, or to dinner, to the coffeeshop… really anywhere. I don’t need to go any of those places anymore, but if I don’t, I limit the amount of new sensory input I get, not to mention just seeing people outside of my household. And that, to some degree, is where my ideas come from. It’s how I used to stay aware of what was trending in the market, or what new interior design themes were happening. I can get that from magazines, Instagram and Pinterest, but it’s not the same. I had the fabulous opportunity to take a girls’ trip to Austin with some dear friends a couple weeks ago, and it was a gentle reminder of how important it is to be out in the world. Also, to have relaxing trips with good friends, but that’s another blog post.
Finally, I started going to the gym instead of going for long walks in the hills. This is a change that I think is probably fairly good for my physical health, but really does affect my creative inspiration. Where I used to take long, often solitary walks in the parks and open space near our house, daydreaming and letting my mind wander, I’m now in a HIIT class or struggling with a TRX, sweating with a room full of people to loud hip hop. My muscle definition is slowly returning, but I need to make sure to keep the solitary walking time. That, for me, is the single best way to keep my creativity percolating. I have speculated that it’s due to the left and right brain cooperation that walking requires, combined with the sensory input of a beautiful, natural environment. Whatever – it seems to work for me!
I’ve spent the last few weeks working to restore my healthy creative habits, and am definitely feeling more refreshed and inspired. It’s kind of like getting back in shape, where you might feel a burst of energy one day, and a bit sore and stiff the next, but it’s coming along. Now I need to turn my attention to consistency – the bane of my existence! Blog posts are to be written Wednesdays and Fridays, so if I’m able to keep to my consistency pledge, I’ll have more for you on Friday.
