Be Inspired ( ) Road Block

BY CHRISTIN HIRLEMAN

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED A CREATIVE BLOCK? For me it feels like this obnoxious void where I’m unable to put any words, ideas or art down on paper. If you’ve ever tried to make something from nothing, you’ve probably experienced it. While I’ve never composed music or penned a novel, I imagine it brings equal frustration regardless of the genre.

What jostles you free from a slump? I wish I had a tried-and-true method that worked when I need to pull myself out the depths of a creative drought. Sitting here writing, I recognize how helpful it would be to offer practices and exercises to reengage your creativity. But that would be a temporary fix. I mean, sure, I could tell you to journal, spend time in nature, meditate or make bad art. There are some fun accounts on Insta that encourage us to transcend the inner voice telling us that everything we make must be exceptional. Yet, here I am, encouraging you to be blocked. Don’t fight it. Be frustrated and maybe a little overwhelmed with the fear that you might not create something great for a while.

You didn’t like reading that, did you? Honestly, I didn’t feel jazzed writing it, but I’m sticking with it.

If you read this column last year, you might recall that I moved into a studio space to sew, paint and write.

I was very excited to have a dedicated space for creating. It wasn’t until after I started a few pieces that I realized the flaw in this new plan—I didn’t have any room in this studio to just be. My last creative space was in my home. It was a beautiful sunroom with a couch, my pets and view of a TV. I realize that the television may seem counterintuitive to creativity, but I can’t count how many pieces I created while Frasier was on in the background. I built layers and layers of paint on the canvas, thick paint, that needed ample time to dry. While it dried, my brain would focus on something else—be it design-related or putting away the dishes. Learning that I create best when I have the opportunity to hop between things has been invaluable.

And that was where this new space fell short. I never felt that I could relax and and let my mind wander. When I was in the studio, all I thought about was what I needed to do at home, and when I was home relaxing after work, I felt like I needed to be sewing or painting.

So, when the lease was up for the studio, I breathed a sigh of relief. The space that I thought would solve my creative block showed me that while the space does matter, so does my mindset. Make no mistake, I am proud of all I accomplished in there. I made ornaments and tea towels—everything for holiday sales—and painted a small piece that was published in a magazine.

Now that I’ve packed away my paints, palette knives and canvas, I wonder if I packed away my creativity, too. But you know what? I’m not fretting about it. I’m grateful. Grateful that I’ve known such creative seasons that in moments of idleness I can still be content.

I’m here to suggest a shift in perspective to anyone struggling with creative block. I honor that frustrations are valid and confirm in us that what we create is meaningful (which is quite something). But, I’d like you to know that it’s OK to pause and reflect. To contently sit in a space where every breath attracts creativity, and perfection is no longer a priority. And finally, to enthusiastically celebrate when you’re no longer limiting yourself to one way of thinking about your creativity and those inevitable roadblocks.

Share your creativity on Instagram: Hashtag #SandandPineMag.

Also, go to @consciouslychristin to find Christin's work.