Creative Summer Slump

Hi everyone,
do you ever feel this way? I’m totally stuck in a creative slump. My head is full of half-baked ideas; I have about 20 projects I’ve started, but I can’t really make any progress on any of them, and I’m completely dissatisfied. I actually need to get an exhibition ready ASAP, but I’m not making any headway there either. My winter knitting ideas aren’t really taking off either....
That creates a certain inner pressure—you feel like you should be doing something, but you just can’t... Do you know what I mean, and how do you deal with “creative slumps”?
Hugs to everyone, Annette

Hey,
when I go through something like that, I just stay out of my studio for two days. By the third day, I’m fully motivated again. I think it’s important to give yourself little breaks.

Best wishes

I know that feeling, too. Especially when I’ve finished a design. It can happen that I’m so overwhelmed with ideas I don’t know what to do first, or suddenly I think all my ideas are silly :-)
I used to put a lot of pressure on myself in those situations. Now I know that this phase is over after three days at the latest, so I just wait it out calmly.
It’s just a little forced break. But you can also use it to clear your head. And then, at some point, a flash of inspiration hits, and you’re back at it with a fresh start. :-)

Yes, I know that feeling too. But pressure is exactly the wrong thing. Then I start rebelling against myself and can’t get anything done at all.
When that happens to me, I always have these tiny little projects to make for my kids. They’re little requests here and there that go quickly and aren’t really a mental challenge. But they’re just the right thing to clear my head for new ideas.

I’m feeling the same way this week. At the beginning of the week, I attended my grandmother’s funeral. It was a relief—she was 96 and had severe dementia—and yet my mind is preoccupied with other things right now.

Still, I have to force myself to put together the pieces for the Summer 2016 campaign, otherwise I’ll miss the boat.

(After Josefa’s posts) I tried to squeeze in something for summer as well. But actually, right now I’m selling winter sweaters.

I think I just need this break to get back to what really inspires me.

Oh, thank you so much, you’re really wonderful! It already feels good just to read that others feel the same way too! Sometimes it also helps me to tidy up my workroom. But that’s already tidy, and then all that’s left is the ironing (grumble grumble) ;-((
@Michaela, I know the “thinking it’s stupid” feeling all too well, too, and then I’m always surprised that others, amazingly enough, don’t actually think it’s that stupid...
The idea of a 3-day break sounds good, and the weekend is coming up now too; I just still have to find the switch where you turn off your brain...
@KnitBig-FeelGreat, I’m very sorry that you lost your grandma, even if she was already so old and ill, it’s always a loss that first has to be processed. And when the soul is occupied with things like that, it doesn’t have much strength for anything else. Still, I hope you have enough strength left to take part in the summer event—and if not, it’s not the end of the world, and next summer will surely come...
I’m going to have a coffee with a friend now and hope that the muse kisses me... whoever that may be...

Thank you,

for the kind words — that really helps....

I’m going to take the two dogs out for an hour now — that usually helps me get out of this slump — and then I’ll get straight to the Summer project afterwards.

@KnitBig-FeelGreat 
My heartfelt condolences... even if it was a release, the loss still leaves a void, and you first have to reorganize your life. 
I wish you lots of strength. 

@Annette
I’m still amazed at how many people love my designs and patterns. I’m always happy to receive any feedback. There’s no better recognition than that. :-)

Thanks,

Michaela—I’m already feeling better after that walk.

I see it the same way you do—the joy of it and the recognition are the main reasons I’m active here. I can’t (yet) imagine making a living from it, but you all bring sunshine into my life.

My heartfelt condolences on your loss, KnitBig-FeelGreat

Thanks,

Josefa—your kind words here really do me good.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU. Your kind words really helped me finish the project after all. I just managed to upload it.

I couldn’t have done it without you.

@KnitBig-FeelGreat, great that you still managed to do it!! My next project has also gotten started, taking a break now and then really is important... Many thanks to everyone, too!

I feel this way several times a year, mostly before Christmas. Once everything is decorated and all the other Christmas-related tasks are done, it feels as if someone has pulled the rug out from under me. Then I go for a long walk—preferably in the woods, where no one can see or bother me—and I can just let my thoughts wander. When I get home, the ideas come back, along with a whole lot of enthusiasm.