A few months ago, I was struggling of something to do. I wanted to be creative and write something fabulous but I was so stuck! I was in a frustrated place. I'd just been told I had a stomach bug called H Pylori, which is gross and really not that cool. I'm not even sure where I got it from but with a husband who has been to Afghanistan, a few years working with individuals with varying standards of hygiene and a lot of time spent playing outside when I was younger, the potential sources were not limited
I was also annoyed that it had been ignored by medical professionals, especially as one of the biggest symptoms was a vitamin deficiency, which had been present for some time. Being aware that my resentment wasn't healthy and directing anger at my stomach was going to do little to alleviate any problems, I decided to change my outlook. I used my experience to banish my creativity and writers block.
I started writing a story, complete with cartoon drawings personifying the little buggies in my tummy. I spent hours writing out the story line and developing a plot, I researched the bug in depth and the impacts it could have and I drew a little bit of the cartoon for starters.
It made me think of the many times I've just allowed writers block and creativity slumps to 'just be'. Yet challenging them is so far more enjoyable and exciting.
3 ways to kick-start creativity and challenge writers block:
Grab some paper and start sketching out your ideas.
1. Use real life examples
Using a real life instance was great, it helped to reduce a lot of my upset and anxiety and it kickstarted my creativity (the whole drawing vegetables and fruit idea quickly followed this one).Make a list of all the life events (big or small) that have happened in the last 12/18/24/36 months.
Once you've done that, choose on that has the most emotion attached to it and try writing or visualising it from different perspectives. Draw it, paint it, write it. Set a time limit, work through them all or only 1 or 2. The best thing about exploring creativity this way is that you always have a list you can refer back to if you find you're getting stuck again.
2. Pinterest
There are all kinds of Pinterest boards that help to kickstart creativity.
3. Skillshare
Skillshare is where it's at! I am totally in love with it. Skillshare consists of (mainly) creative ecourses. As a bonus, they're pretty cheap but they help to refine your current talents (or give you completely new ones!). It sounds silly to suggest a course as a means of challenging writers block and creativity ruts but, honestly, Skillshare was my best discovery. I even found a few free ecourses, which showed me new ways to use illustrator and gave me new perspectives when it comes to designing.Check out Illustrate Your Day
So, when you're in a rut and not sure where to start make a list of the following:
- What has happened in my life recently?
- What am I anxious about?
- What are my big plans in the future?
- What colours would describe how I'm feeling right now?
- What word would describe my life at this moment in time?
Once you have the list or a variety of questions, start exploring how you'd represent them or how you'd write about them. Think about colour, hand lettering and expression. If you decide to write, try writing about them from different perspectives, see the your life from the word you used to describe it. Give that word a rich personality and life, look at everything from a different angle.
Once you start being imaginative it's so hard to stop.
Here are some fun sites and pieces to get your creativity going:
Moleskine Art
Doodlers Anonymous
Book by its cover
An Open Sketchbook
A brilliant example of horsing around and this awesomeness that is edible art!
What do you think about the cartoon? Do you think this is a good way to deal with creativity and ease negative emotion? Do you use creative outlets for stress? I'd love to hear more about your thoughts below.
