Creative Low

[Ellen Griswold]

I feel like I am in a creative slump right now. I just can't get the ideas to flow like I used to. Other than giving my children away to the next person that comes to my door , do you have any ideas to help me to recharge? Usually reading does the trick for me, but I haven't even had any success finding anything I want to read.

[Round2]

I'm with you. I got on here looking for motivation! I wonder if maybe some time relaxing or journaling would help. Maybe if you just let your thoughts flow, you'll find something that strikes you. What do you usually write about?

[1jooj]

Are there other things taking energy or putting chaos or obstacles in your way?

When I am stressed, I have no ideas. I truly have to achieve at least some state of relaxation in order to think and create, no matter what it is I am trying to do--from cooking to writing.

[aikigypsy]

I am not the most productive writer I know, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I think that when you're feeling burnt out or uncreative, the first thing to do is to take care of yourself. Sit on the couch all afternoon and read a book (OK, so I could do that before I had a kid! No more.) Eat better food. Take leisurely walks, either in the woods, on the beach, or in town browsing through fun stores. Get enough sleep.

Another approach is to switch genres. Try a few random writing exercises or prompts to get yourself going. Write about someone else. Write a short story, or a poem, if you normally do longer fiction or non-fiction.

Finally, hang in there! These things ebb and flow.