Where do ideas and inspiration come from?
I think a lot about this, talk to my friends about it, get into long philosophical discussions about it with anyone that will listen sometimes… it fascinates me how we get inspired and how inspiration strikes us at the oddest times – usually while we are doing something totally unrelated – like driving down the road, watching TV, or attending an art show, etc… For me, it seems to be when I finally let my mind relax and quit trying to force it.
And I talked about it in a previous post – how I was reading Big Magic and how Elizabeth Gilbert describes inspiration and idea coming and leaving and you have to jump on that idea while it is here or it will be gone and you missed your chance.
I always feel like once I’m done with a big project or idea that I’ll never have another good idea again. I just went through this exact cycle in the past few weeks – again… happens every time. As soon as I finish a workshop and put it out – I go through a sort of creative depression.
I feel like I gave everything I had to the project and there is nothing left.
Then I start thinking – what if that was it.
What if that was all I know and now I have nothing left to teach.
I’ll flounder for a few weeks in this worried state.
Telling friends I’m tapped out.
There is nothing left.
I don’t know why I even have a creative business.
There is no creativity left… and then one day I’ll wake up, see something random…
and the ideas start to flow again.
And I feel better and start creating again. Starting the cycle over. The highs and lows of the creative cycle. I should know by now this is how it works and stop the worry. That even though I may not be feeling creative one day it will return the next. I need to start enjoying that downtime instead of constantly looking around, a bit desperately, hoping something will trigger the next idea.
I’ll work on that.
Promise.
I came across the video below and thought I’d share it since it resonated with me almost as much as Big Magic. It was made creators like David Lynch, Susan Orlean, Tracy Clayton, and Chuck Close on their thoughts on the creative process and where new ideas come from. As I was watching it, it made me feel better knowing that I”m not the only one who has these cycles and feelings!
I hope you enjoy it and if you are a creative with these ups and downs – know that you are not alone and the next big idea is just around the corner!
I loved this little video. It’s SO ME! There’s this itch inside to create and if it’s not fed, I kind of go stir crazy. Coming up with ideas, the ebb and flow of it, can sometimes be a deal breaker or a windfall. For me, those inspirational sparks come from just living, looking, observing and letting my mind go blank and then suddenly, THERE IT IS! Great article, Denise!
So glad you loved it!! I agree, it is like an itch and I go crazy too! 🙂
Thank you for this reminder and video! Years ago I attended a talk by a local metal metalsmith and he talked about the creative void at the end of a project. It has been so helpful to expect it…to allow space for it. Makes me a LITTLE less frightened when it shows up.
I have to keep reminding myself of that too. I get discouraged in between projects thinking all of my creativity is just gone, and I have to remind myself that it comes in waves for me and it is ok to rest in between projects.
It isn’t the “itch” part for me. It is that moment when something grabs and sparks. Hum. Another idea to write, a story to tell. AND I also think it takes work and regular work. Since I have retired I have been writing more, producing more. So many friends say “I always wanted to write that book,” and I wonder have you written a sentence today? I didn’t want to hear that either but I am finding there is a reward in the discipline of regular creative undisturbed time. Thanks Denise.
I agree. There is reward in just showing up day in and day out and doing the work. Making little strides every day to reach a goal. It seems like when I’m creating, the more I show up, the more I create and the ideas keep flowing for me.
Being quarantined for so long brought my outdoor place shootings to a halt. So looking around the house for old interesting subjects seemed to help such as old books, typewriter, vases became a new subject. With using a neutral or white background and the use of your colored textures, I was able to create an image of added mood, texture and interest.
I love finding interesting things from around the house to shoot! 🙂
Sometimes I get an idea and wonder if I’m worthy of it, if I’m good enough to pull out what I see in my head. Sometimes I am, sometimes I’m not, sometimes the idea is lame. Or I just didn’t do it right.
The more you do – the better you get. Just keep trying and more and more of your ideas will work out for you!