We’ve all been there. Some days it feels like we’re unstoppable. We’re crushing our work, clients are happy, and nothing really comes close to this feeling of bliss and expertise. Though it’s not always like this, right? Inversely, there are those days where absolutely nothing’s going our way. The proverbial tank that used to be filled with creative juices has seemingly turned up empty. Only futility awaits us when brainstorming ideas for hours on end. Thankfully those days are few and far in between - though you may be wondering, what should I do if I ever find myself having a bad day, creatively? Luckily for you, we’ve got the answers.
1. Don't do anything creative at all
Yes, you might not be able to tell, but we’re dead serious when we say that the cure to being in a slump is to do absolutely nothing.
Okay, maybe not literally nothing. But the idea is to distance yourself from your work for as long as possible.
When we’re stressed at our work, our frame of mind is more likely to be “Why isn’t any of this working”, or “What has gotten into me?” (Usually with more profanity of course) and what usually ends up happening, is that we tend to throw ideas here and there without really giving it much thought.
Because as silly as it sounds, sometimes spending time away from our creative work and projects is an integral part of growing and succeeding as a creative.
2. Stop Mindlessly Doing Things That Don't Help Your Creativity
You might not realise it, but some of your simple habits at home can actually work against you, or are creativity-killers.
There are also a number of things that you should avoid doing, if you want to turn around a bad day and get the best version of yourself.
The main one is to stop the mindless scroll on social media.
We understand that social media often plays a big part in terms of drawing inspiration - but as with most things in life, moderation is key. Because if you’re not too careful with how you consume and use social media, you’ll soon find yourself comparing your work with the work of others. This in turn sows seeds of self-doubt, which is quite frankly the opposite of being a budding creative.
It also drains a lot of your time without you realising it, and with time (and your energy) as a precious commodity, it should under no circumstances be wasted.
3. Inject Playfulness And Creativity In Your Day-To-Day
“Play is the wealth of childhood.” – Unknown.
When you take the time to do something fun, it’s easier to get out of your regular routine and set you on the track to getting out of your head and out of your bad day. Being playful also has the potential to make you happier and more fulfilled, and unlock creative potential. Of course, there are many ways to go about being more playful and creative in your daily routine, the proverbial world is your oyster.
Here are some ideas for how to be more playful: - Act out scenes from movies or TV shows. - Play with your pets. - Make a list of sillier things you can do for no reason. - Start a game of “Would You Rather?” - Play a board game with your friends - Have a water balloon fight. - Sing a silly song. - Take a different route to work or walk in the park instead of driving. - Dance around to your favorite song
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
When you have creative freedom through play, you are more likely to feel engaged and productive.
"Because if you’re not too careful with how you consume and use social media, you’ll soon find yourself comparing your work with the work of others."
4. Reach Out To Your Network Of Fellow Creatives
Even though it seems like everyone is doing it themselves and killing it, you don't need to go at it alone as a lone freelancer or creative business owner.
Be it as a freelancer or full-time creative, it’s no secret that your work, networking plays a vital part in getting your name out there and bringing awareness to your work. But it's also to establish a trusted circle of support.
Think about it. By networking effectively, you open up the possibilities of business opportunities and collaborations with your fellow creatives.
Given the tendency for projects to require creative work from different fields, your skills may be more in demand than you think -- all you’ve gotta do is to network and unearth said opportunities!
When a genuine step to network and build trusted connections, you'll find out quick enough that everything you've been through is not new, and there are tons of people who have gone through the same thing.
As a final reminder, you're not alone in this journey and soon enough that bad creative day will be nothing more than a small bump in the road as you progress to greater things.
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Bumped into us for the first time? Cult Creative is a professional networking & job platform for ambitious creative individuals to find work, network and showcase their work.
Are you a creative looking for a thriving community to stay inspired and empowered? Or looking for opportunities to develop your career in the creative industry? join cult creative here.