Hello Creatives!
Choosing to work in a creative field can be rewarding but ultimately can lead to being unmotivated and burnt out. We all feel this dark cloud of being unmotivated while getting up and working in the same processes day-to-day in a never-ending loop. Moving past these feelings of dread and tiredness is possible with discipline, passion and a break.
Discipline
The most common cause of being unmotivated is monotony and complacency, two words a creative person never wants to hear. When we are complacent, or comfortable, things start to become boring and mundane. This cycle of boredom leads to a narrow view and creativity starts to take a back seat. Creativity thrives on change, excitement and a little risk.
Where does discipline come in? Well, we can't all wait around for inspiration to rain down to wash us out of the creative rut we seem to be stuck in. With deadlines looming, plan "B" is to simply create. Create anything, it can be as simple as sketching your morning coffee. The point is not to create a masterpiece, it's the fact of creating itself. Pushing to create something consistently will often lead to something amazing. Keeping in the habit of making things is the lifeline of creation. Discipline yourself to start and then challenge yourself. Challenge yourself with limited tools or a specific color palette; keep it exciting because creativity loves change, you might even enjoy the process.
Passion Projects
Keeping creation exciting can be a challenge while staying disciplined. So, create something that's special and has meaning. We call these forms of creation passion projects; they don't have to have a deadline or have to go anywhere. The point of these projects is to spark new interest in something, anything. Being unmotivated and burnt out with creativity is like falling out of love. Passion projects help us to fall back in love with creativity by creating something fun and special to us individually.
This can become that creative excitement that's needed, we don't all have to follow the path of tortured artists and creatives. Most important, keep these projects separate from your day job. This work is personal and should be a journey of trying, failing and loving every moment of it. Creativity isn't always serious, it can also be a game.
A Break Date
This stage may be a bit of a stretch for some, but take a break date. In the words of millennials, 'treat yo'self'. Treat yourself to a break from creation, even for just a day or a few hours. Taking a break is sometimes necessary to recharge when all that is being done is creating. Being on a constant overload is only going to lead to an emotional breakdown, or worse, a physical breakdown.
On these breaks visit a favorite place, have some nostalgic favorite food and a nice rest. A break date can be the best medicine before jumping back into life and gearing up that creative brain. This allows for the pressure to be taken off and the worries of responsibility to go on hiatus for a day.
Take a chance, make a change and allow for a break. Discipline keeps skills sharp, passion projects will ignite new interest in life and work and a break will allow the stress and worry to leave for a bit. If time is an issue, replace watching Saturday night news to creating something simple or meaningful for five minutes. Trying and failing is a lot better than quitting before getting started and staying in the same monotony of life. Take a risk for something exciting to change the creative game.
See You Soon Creatives!
