Don't Feel Guilty, Take a Break
Us beautiful human beings work extensively to fulfil our work needs but when being a creative professional there is nothing more exhausting than running low on the ‘creative motivation tank’. You arty-sapiens know what I’m talking about. The excruciatingly frustrating process of wanting to make but never being able to transcribe thought to paper or not having any inspiration to glue some squares together to create a geometric eyesore (totally not talking from experience). You know, the irritating process of trying to convince yourself that creating something will benefit you and will uplift this motivational drought. That’s the one. That’s the very one that has been flowing throughout my bloodstream for the last few months and do you know what? Its bloody draining. There is this overwhelming guilt that exudes from my pores for not creating as I have convinced myself that creating Is the foundation to who I am. This guilt, however, made me realise that in fact, I deserve a break.
The Overwhelming Rain Cloud of Negative Vibes
That horrid fluffy grey cloud that leaks chaotic energy of constantly being overwhelmed, lingers above your noggin during the most inconvenient times. It doesn’t help when you’re having a creative crisis.
‘’omg I hate everything I am creating’’
‘’No one is going to want to buy this’’
‘’Charles Saatchi wouldn’t even blink at this awful creation!’’
(just kidding who cares what he thinks)
Although it may seem inconceivably negative, it’s extremely important to question everything that goes into creating. Especially your creations. That doesn’t suggest however, to have a definitive moral behind everything you do. (Nobody likes being pedantic) Just to have enough understanding as to why you initially create. Discovering the root of your inspiration helps drastically and remembering the very important factors as to why you’re a (self-proclaimed) awesome creative individual.
Always remember, you’re creating for you, unless of course you’re doing a commission for somebody else. Even in that circumstance, stick to what you’re good at, heck, try the scary experimentation process as well. Just don’t overdo the experimentation for a paid commission, it might not be a good move… risky. Revisit your creative roots.
Visit a Gallery (Don’t worry there are free ones!)
I recently invested an extortionate amount to go to London to visit the same exhibitions at the Tate that I have seen an incredibly considerable amount of times before. Yet seeing the same old or even just revising the accommodating narratives next to the artwork, energised the metaphorical lightbulb of ideas hidden deep in the concaves of my skull. I felt oddly comfortable in realising that I needed to revise the same information to feel a sense of sympathy to creating. I felt inspired.
There is no purer feeling than rediscovering the catalytic reasoning regarding a passion of yours. The excitement regarding such rediscovery is only experienced after the process of taking a step back and reflecting on your practice or by simply getting on with your everyday life. Deriving inspiration from the unlikeliest sources is typically the most efficient way for my creative process, whether it be; spontaneous gallery trips, cooking, socialising (rare occurrence) or even simply just making an absolute mess with paint. It all is beneficial for keeping me on my toes.
Working a job alongside of being an artist is a tiring combination as attempting to find a balance between the two is somewhat impossible. To keep my art tank full, I read a tremendous amount of art books or simply go on an unhealthy hiatus of liking everything my favourite artists post on Instagram. Constantly unconsciously reminding myself just how much I enjoy my passion.
Stop feeling guilty, you’ve always got time to create
Unless you have a cunning plan to willingly float off into the hemisphere; the canvas, plaster, paint, resin, camera, art open call and anything else creative, will always be there. It is important to claw your way out of this horrid pit of creative guilt no matter how long it takes, yet do not force it. You deserve a break from creating. You have worked bloody hard.