It is a major dream for most artist to have all their time and resources free to create art. For most, this means not having a job other than being an artist and also the financial stability to buy supplies to create.
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| I am also missing my acrylics... |
I have to admit, that I am pretty much living that dream. I temporarily am living in Europe and move every three months, which means I do not have a job. Although I am not at all financially rich, I have enough to go out and buy supplies when I need them. I feel blessed to have these realities in my live, however...
I am truly struggling with motivation to create. My lack of motivation is coming from a few different areas. They include,
- Lack of a structured schedule - Ever since I can remember, I have either had school or a job to give me a well balanced schedule. This is my first attempt to live without that...and it's hard.
- A decrease in social outlets - Four months ago I left everyone I had ever met. I believe social interaction is a great way to grow energy. My lack of regular social activity is making me a hermit.
- Lowered creativity and inspiration due to laziness - I easily fell into a rut of laziness and since then have felt very few sparks of creativity. You would think being in a new world would be a chance of overwhelming inspiration, but you still have to seek it out, which takes energy.
This is where I'm at. So far, I don't have the answers to fix my problems, but I shall not despair. There are a few solutions I have thought of recently that I have yet to implement. They include,
- Watch less television - i believe it actually robs us of energy, creativity, and motivation
- Exercise more - to increase energy
- Write things down - that may spark inspiration
- Go outside - to see people, to breath fresh air, and see new things
Although these all sound easy, I know they will not be for me. Once I get over the major hump of laziness, I believe I will really prosper. If you would like to read some really helpful articles about these topics, visit one of my favorite blogs, Happenchance. Here are a couple of my favorites:
I will try to use you all as a tool of accountability. If you are feeling any amount of this lack of motivation, let me know, and we will work together.
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I understand how you feel. I constantly struggle with motivation.
ReplyDeleteThe winter months really crush my creativity as an artist but I tend to write more in the dark months.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will get your MoJo back once you are settled into your new environment and have a sense of self in that environment.
Have a lovely weekend, very excited to go pick up your artwork :) T.
Dance, sing and eat more sprinkled donuts... that way you'll have to go for long walks to burn off the calories; you'll be both motivated and happy at the same time! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Bethany, thanks so much for the shout outs. I'm glad you like my little site.
ReplyDeleteYou're right on when you talk about creativity, isolation, and motivation. Despite the myths, I think that artists work better when they have plenty of social interaction.
I think your action plan is a good one and I hope you can find your groove. Best of luck and keep in touch.
i'm so glad you wrote about this, i think it's something a lot of first time work-from-homers struggle with..um, er, well i certainly do! :)
ReplyDeletei'm always trying to stick to more of a schedule and get more exercise to maintain a better level of energy and mood, especially those weeks when the shop is not doing as well.
thanks for the links and good luck, i know you will be accomplishing great things!