How I Get Out of A Creative Slump

Four years and 405 published blog posts and it finally hit me like a tonne of bricks.  I was (and am still fighting) a creative slump.  It’s clear as day now looking back, but at the time I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me.  I had no drive, nothing inspired me, and the thought of replying to any or all emails made me… want to pour myself a glass of wine or eat another chocolate bar.  LOL

I had heard other bloggers/ creatives talk about being in a slump but I hadn’t ever felt that way.  I was always super excited and motivated to watch what I was creating grow.  Then I went through the breakup and it was something to keep my mind occupied.  I wanted to prove to myself, him, and my followers that I didn’t need him to keep this thing going. Yes, he was a huge part of it for 3 years.   But I knew I could do it on my own, and I did.  I landed some of my biggest contracts and felt awesome about it.  Fast forward 6 months, I had proven to myself, (and whoever else may have doubted me) that I could do it, and I felt like I could breathe… and I did.  I breathed for a long time and the longer I did, the deeper I sunk into a creative slump.

Well, I’m happy to say I think I’m back! I have been loving creating content for you guys lately!  So, now that the fog has cleared I thought I would share what helped me get through the slump.  I know I am not the only one who has felt this way.  If you are a creative in any capacity I’m sure you have felt this way at one point or another.  It’s natural, it’s okay, and you too will get through it!

1.) Clean up your space, get rid of clutter, and make yourself a special place to work.

I was so guilty of working in bed.  I have done it for years and it always worked for me.  I slept great and I was able to get a lot of work done- I loved being cozy in my bed!  But one day, out of nowhere, that all changed.  I wasn’t sleeping and I wasn’t able to focus, at all!  Initially I stopped working from bed to get my sleep habits on track and I soon realized how beneficial it was for my work habits as well.  I cleaned up my spare room, which until then was always the room where I threw anything I didn’t have a spot for, and turned it into my office space.  It’s cute, girly, and is filled with all things I love.

2.) Get lots of sleep.  This is something I never struggled with until this year.  I’m working on a blog post sharing how I got my sleep habits back on track so stay tuned for that but in the meantime just know how important it is.  Get lots of it… your mind and body need it.  How can you be creative when you’re constantly yawning and thinking about sleep (or lack there of it).

3.) Surround yourself with people who inspire you.  Tia, the beauty behind Lady Getz has been such an inspiration to me.  Whenever I hang out with her I instantly feel excited about creating. She was the one many years ago who put the bug in my ear to start Teach Me Style.  We have been friends for manyyyy years but recently we have reconnected again and she has really stuck by me and encouraged me.

4.) Be patient and kind with yourself.  Clearly there was a reason I was in a slump.  I experienced a huge life change and I didn’t allow myself to deal with it right away.  I buried myself in my work and it wasn’t until I let myself breath and really absorb the change that I felt uninspired when it came to Teach Me Style.  I felt like I was failing but in all reality I was facing the changes, processing it, and putting all my energy into healing.  The old idea of taking care of yourself before others is SO true! How was I supposed to create fun, uplifting, and inspiring content for you all if I was struggling… it just doesn’t work! Now that I am feeling good and like my old self again, I am ready and excited to get back to it!

5.) Don’t give up!  Do what you can.  For me this was creating lists and brainstorming ideas.  I had SO many things I wanted to write about.  It wasn’t that I didn’t have ideas it was just the motivation piece I was missing.  So, I kept my journal handy and every time I had an idea I would jot it down.  Now that I have motivation again I have pages and pages of ideas to choose from. 

Thank you for your patience.  I appreciate you all sticking around… you will be hearing from me again, VERY soon!
Have you ever been in a creative slump? If so, h0w did you pull yourself through?