I have been writing some posts that are more in tune with who I am, expressing feelings, and emotions. But after I write a in-depth post, it seems like my spark is gone. It’s not because I am uninterested in blogging more, it’s because I have these great expectations of myself, and I feel that after writing a post from the heart, that the following post should be equally well written, thought out, and expressed.
But it doesn’t always work that way.
In my mind creativity is a deep well, made with rounded, moss covered stones smoothed by numerous hands drawing water up from a old bucket.
It also has a cute thatched roof….but hey, let’s not get too deep here.
Sometimes the well is full, and the creativity [water] is plentiful. There is more then enough to drink. In other words create, and express myself. The words, and the images appear almost magically, creativity just flows.
Other times the well is low, and it must be portioned out just to sustain it. There isn’t enough water to create anything.
Expectations are good, they make us better at what we do, but how do we balance everything?
When life is stressful, or demanding there is a period of not feeling creative, or having the time and energy to do what we need to do to stay who we are.
I would love to know what you do to spur your creative streak, how do you balance it with the demands of life, family, jobs? How do you carve out that chunk of time to continue doing what you love?
I consider my creativity a well, now tell me about yours, what do you call it, and how do you keep it full.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Wow that is a hard question for me to answer. I think my whole blog tells the tale. I was down and told I was given a gift. That gift was time so I explored me, my soul, my creativity. The blog came of taking a risk and putting it out there. My creativity now comes from deep inside me. By using positive affirmations and meditation it seems to not dry up. I am learning to go with the flow and that flow sparks the creativity. Writing is my bliss and I crave it as much as I crave chocolate. If I don't write I am shut off and that is not good. I only blog once a week and that seems to help as well not have the well run dry. I choose a word or topic and let the energy take it from there. Happy to chat with you anytime about it more Jen. I think what you are doing is a great start as is this post. You cannot judge yourself too harshly either. We are loving what you are writing. Let it flow for now.
ReplyDeleteSo well put...I feel exactly the same way. Life gets so busy and there just aren't enough hours in the day. My creativity flows when I slow down and relax and let my mind wander and go places that seem to put up road block signs when I am rushing around trying to get so many things done. I think a little stress can be good but too much is overload and I begin to shut down. I like to go out and walk around in my garden and take in nature all around me...that is my happy place and that is when I become inspired.
ReplyDeleteDifferent moods produce different posts. I feel like I have many different parts to me and that influences how I write. I write some posts that are more creative, some more informative, some just fun. There are times I think that it is good to write less and do something else that is fun, so as to recharge. I something else for awhile - and a lot of times that can be the spark for more creativity. I can't say that I am always good at balancing everything (my messy house can attest to that!), but I try to put priorities first.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think a lot of times we are are own most critical judge. Some posts that I don't like as much, other people like the most! One of the things I love about the garden blogging community is that they seem to be very supportive. We're very pro gardeners! Do what is true to you, even if it doesn't seem very creative to you. We support you in it!
Jen, I don't know that I'm of any help right now as it seems like I am suffering something similar but I can commiserate. The garden has taken so much energy this year and sapped me so that I'm not very interested in the tasks that lay there right now. Same with blogging, I've been considering an extended break, something to recharge. When posting feels like a chore it's time to take another direction. I still love these activities but doing a completely different activity, even for a short time, I think will make some difference to my mood.
ReplyDeleteI've always been a creative sort of person, confident in the next spark to just come along without me thinking too hard about it. My whole family was like that, with the exception of my dad.
ReplyDeleteMy blog is the first 'successful' writing venture I've ever had. I think it's because every other time I've tried to write anything, I felt sure no one would see it anyway. And as someone who is spurred on by the attention and laughter of others (*cough*attentionwhore*cough*), that just didn't work for me and I always quit.
The fact that 200-ish people read my blog every day? Awesome! I know that's not very many compared to some people's blogs. But it's a lot to me!
When I hear someone say, 'Kyna, I look forward to reading your posts on your blog/Facebook every day!' (which happens a lot, suprisingly enough) it warms my little heart-cockles and makes me want to write more.
The first thing I think of when I wake up is 'Whew, I'm still alive' and the second is 'I wonder what I'll write about today.' My fingers usually make that decision instead of my brain.
Sometimes I'll work really hard for hours on a post, and no one will comment on it. Sometimes I just post a picture which takes two seconds, and tons of people want to comment. I try not to take it personally (even though I do a little, my posts are my babies!) and learn from it to see what people really want out of my blog.
That said, I'm going write about what I want to write about whether everyone likes it or not.
That's the difference between being on a forum and saying something and having your OWN blog where you're the admin.
I love writing, as you can see. Since I just wrote a small novel in this comment. :)
I go for a run and let my mind go where it wants, I get some great ideas, and it also lets me unwind. Sometimes inspiration comes from and image, a sound or a word, hard to explain but suddenly it's there.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, your post has resonated with me as my well was tapped out for over a year. I was not juggling a very demanding and emotionally draining job well along with the demands of my family. After my husbands health scare over the summer, we have decided that I'm going to take a step back and not work that demanding social worker gig anymore. So, for me, refilling the well has been about finding center again. Sometimes that means saying no to things I really want to do or feel obligated to do for various reasons. In the past when one creative well was dry, I would recharge by exploring a new creative outlet, like learning to knit and crochet.
ReplyDeleteI need to absorb your words - drink them in and let them fill me because, I fear, my well ran dry some time ago. My prior job took a chunk of my soul and - mia culpa - I let it. Now, I'm not sure where that part of me is....so for me it's like trying to find center again - and hoping that creativity is there in some form when I reach center. In the meantime, my world is in chaos - not managing anything well....my hobbies, my house, my yard....I think finding faith to believe in me again is more rejuvenating than anything. But as for posting - I think it serves different purposes at different times and to me that is refreshing. Just as in life, I don't always want to be deep and meaningful - sometimes I want plain whimsey and nonsense....Robin
ReplyDeleteAs Cranky Crow says, sometimes deep. And sometimes nonsense. I can't cope with a string of deep posts (sounds like a fence line). Rather a gem, amongst a meadow of flowers.
ReplyDeleteMy muse seems to cope with one or two posts a week. Sometimes the initial idea lets itself be cut up into a few blog posts. Then the well is deep and full. And if the well is running dry - read blogs, leave comments, keep in touch. While the well quietly refills.
You've touched on a topic many of us struggle with. Creativity must be nurtured and cared for. When I take mine for granted I seem to pay for it with stale, uninspired thoughts. When I feed my soul, the creativity flows and there are so many ideas I can't possibly act on all of them. Both of these states make me a bit uncomfortable. I like to sit at a comfortable center. I don't sit here often as it takes a lot of discipline and balance; not characteristics I'm particularly gifted with! But with each creative cycle, I learn a bit more about achieving and holding onto the creative balance I seek.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is beautifully creative; trust your intuition to guide you when you're feeling uninspired.
Gosh. I really don't know what I have to add. I have a list of topics that I want to write about and I don't seem to have time to write, nor do I want to post more than once a week. I enjoy reading others' blogs and feel like my blog is pretty bland sometimes, so I need someone like you to inspire me and keep me thinking.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos - and such a thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteI guess one of the best things to do is to go out and experience new things - new books, films etc. to get out of the same old pattern of daily life.
This isn't usually possible for me though, so I go for long walks with the dog or cycle. A spell in the woods always helps me regain balance and inspiration.
When my well is running low and I need to get creative because of a deadline I turn on iTunes and play the old standby tracks that never fail to make me feel alive inside with creativity. If my well is so low it's almost dry then I need to remove myself from my creative pursuits in the studio and immerse in nature somehow usually going out to do some menial garden chore. Once I've been out in trimming the roses or hedges for a while, I find myself wanting to sit down in a quiet corner and ponder. In these quiet moments when I notice everything like a hummingbird twittering from high in a tree, I feel the well fill again.
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Jen, How absolutely timely. I've always gotten my best inspiration from the garden when I am hand deep in dirt. The drought this summer was so demoralizing that I have had to force myself to write. Not a good space when blogging used to be joyful. I am hoping that my energy and inspiration will return now that it's cooler. Thank you dear, for asking. xogail
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your analogy! Very visual and rich. I'm a cocooner. When life gets stressful, I pull all my extremities in, like a turtle, and keep pretty much to myself. That's why I've been pretty absent from my own place, for a while. I'm looking forward to poking my head out again and sharing some more of life viewed from my perspective.
ReplyDeleteLove to you!
Carolynn
Ah just relax..and let the words flow. You can write what ever you want..I have not run out of words yet..do you think I should worry about it? IF I did they may stop for sure. I got in the habit of writing late at night, in a quiet house..and then scheduling it to post the next morning..it has worked well for me all summer..so I think that is the direction I will try to keep going. I NEED my blog writing time, just as much as I need air to breathe:)
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn patience with myself. I want to do so much. If I am blogging and reading blogs I am hoping that during the day I can be creative and get some crafts, painting or sewing done. Then I see so many creative people here in blogland that I want to do even more things. I find myself getting more and more books and "stuff" to be creative but not finding the time to actually do it. Its very frustrating. If you read my blog Bluebell Woods you will know why.
ReplyDelete(smile) So if you learn the secret do please let me know.
Janice
Your thoughts don't exactly apply to me, because I do not consider myself a writer. I like to talk, and am not so creative in my choice of words. I do recognize and enjoy reading what you creative types say, though.
ReplyDelete