Yesterday I was talking on the phone with Jamie per the norm and I was telling her that I am in a dark creative-less life sucking hole right now. (What a fun and uplifting way to start a post yeah?! Happy Wednesday!!)
See I have this theory.
Creativity is like a self charging battery. When you use it, it generates more power, more ideas, more creativity. When you don’t use it, it sort of just drains away and you are left with a hunk of uselessness. (Picture me as this hunk). Knowing myself and my process when I get like this I need something EXCITING to pull me out of the funk. To give me a jumpstart and get things rolling again.
Once the Nugget and Ashy’s Room were finished in Nov. I turned off Creative Mandi and turned on Netflix Watching-Holiday Vegfest Mandi. (Now I want to decorate my entire house in black and braids and dedicate it to Ragnar Lothbrok.)
That Mandi and productivity are like cupcakes and a Whole30. WFF (Worst Friends Forever).
Taking a break from projects was much needed. This isn’t the content producing job style creativity, this is the excited about life because everyday is a new adventure creativity. The kind of inner perspective that lets you look at things, not how they are, but how they could be (and how much fun it would be to get them there)
I have never actually ran a marathon (because why) but my mom has, so this is sort of a parable by proxy. When you get done running, the last thing that you want to do is walk around. But if you don’t then your recovery time is extended far beyond what it is if you stay active for the rest of the day. Keep moving after the marathon and you are so much better off. This is exactly what I didn’t do. I marathoned all of 2014 and come Dec. 1 when the race was over I laid down at the finish line and asked someone to pass the candy. WHHHYYYYYY?!
Now my creativity is all cramped and can barely stand up. And THAT is not a fun way to live my friends.
I am feeling desperate. Desperate enough to have a Manhattan Nest moment (do you read Daniel’s blog? You should, he is the best.) There is this really cute COMPLETELY decrepit abandoned house that I drive past when I take Dyl to dance. Do you know what I did today? I drove over there and looked at it. It has these really adorable windows in the front that I just love. Not going to lie, it was kind of Blair Witch Project-y and I was afraid that someone was going to pop out of a closet and shank me. But all I could see was this house that could be SO amazing (after 100k in repair work).
In all reality, I don’t need a condemned house, I just need a really great project idea, or thrift store find. Something to give me a little jolt.
Or maybe I just needed to get this all off my chest.
If you need me I will NOT be watching Netflix. Probably. (Step #1 is always the hardest)
i was SOOOOOO there with you (and it turns out i ran a half marathon in december, so creative and energetic cassie died in the same moment). i had this fabulous midcentury dresser in my garage that was going in emmy’s room, but needed love first. it sat and sat and sat…. i FINALLY picked up the brush even though it was the last thing i wanted to do and got it done right after the new year… and it felt so good and sparked something again. the point is, sometimes just pick up a project you left off on, get it done, and boom, you’re running again.
Totally agree with cassie! It’s like working out, or sex. Sometimes you don’t feel like it. Then you make yourself start.. and boom, you’re up and running again- and loving it!
Thanks for the therapy Mandi! I’m right there with ya! I took most of the holiday off to spend time with family which was great, but now I have been feeling stuck. Not sure where to start or what to start, or even if I want to start. Hoping to find my jump start soon!! I NEED TO CREATE!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about marathons :-). Seriously, why?
Also, I’ve definitely been in that place–not doing anything creative for awhile, then wondering why I’m so depressed and bored with life.
Have you heard of the book The Artists Way? It outlines a sort of program (for lack of a better term) for gaining/regaining/developing your creativity, with things to do on a daily/weekly basis. Speaking of things abandoned during the month of December, I was using the program up until I left to visit family for Christmas :-}. Might not be your kind of thing, but I thought I’d mention it.
I’m going to stop talking now.
Maybe you you should come out slow like watch DIY shows on Netflix… but honestly I’d go for the abandoned house. We are living in Germany and have been in rental for the last year and a half (FYI all cement block walls) and I really just want to tear down a wall and build something, going crazy without enough power tools. I know how you feel though sometimes you just need a good kick start, an inspiration piece to get you going. If I get like this I just force myself to do some sort of project, any project just get started and usually the sparks return. Hey I know, sofa shopping sounds fun… buying a sofa sound even better Retail Therapy!
Mandi. Chill. Breathe. Geez woman, just because you did a small rolling mini-home last year doesn’t mean there is some sort of cosmic-blogger-internet-pressure-monster yelling at you to do a whole freaking house! Get inspired, don’t jump at something just for the sake of leaping off the cliff. Take some home tours for inspiration, go to open houses and get ideas. Maybe offer to do a room for a local charity. We got your back….but seriously, you’re at an 11, we need you at a 4. 🙂 Squishy hugs girlie.
i have run a marathon and can vouch that laying down is the only thing one wants to do afterwards 🙂 wishing you lots of renewed creativity.
I hope you saw Emily Hendersons blog post about you.
It wouldnt be fair if you were super fabulous all the time, 🙂 hang in there!
You are very talented and too hard on yourself! Just read a tip about staying creative and I think it helps. The tip was to unplug from the internet (i.e. pinterest, blogs, etc.) because if you are constantly looking at what others have done you get stuck either trying to replicate or do a different version of what they have already done. In essence it stifles your own creative thinking and energy. Instead it helps to step away from the computer world and spend time in your own environment (nature walks, visiting downtown/your neighborhood, etc.) and sketch, journal, take photos, or anything you enjoy. Doing that helps reconnect with your creative self and often generates ideas and sparks creative energy. I have faith in you – you’ll get your groove back in no time 🙂
After we sold our first (shared) house and moved into our very own house, my creativity bank went straight bankrupt. I didn’t want to do ANYTHING after putting all that work into a previous home that didn’t feel like my own. Just over a year in, I’m finally starting to get the itch back to do projects and make the space more uniquely “us”. Like another reader said above, I think unplugging is a huge help because it takes away all the pressure and sensory overload.
Hi Mandi,
Fellow Mandi here 🙂
I know that feeling all too well! I have such a tendency to “marathon it” and then flat out crash! Cause we all deserve a break, right?
Early fall of this year, I had just about had it with this vicious cycle and thought that if I had some sort of mindless creative activity that I could engage in while resting, then maybe, just maybe that would do the trick. Shortly afterward, while perusing my local bookstore, I found The Imaginary World of by Kerri Smith. This little journal is amazing for getting you out of a creative funk! She apparently has several other journals with a similar approach! Another thing that has helped me is working on simple art therapy exercises in my journal. Good luck getting back into the creative flow of things and choose music over Netflix!!!!!
2 ideas…
First, I would love for you to come help me decorate a room in my house top to bottom. Like a 1 week challenge sort of thing. It could be fun. We could brainstorm over the phone/email, then when you come out it’s go time. Of course I’m completely serious, but I’m sure you’re all thanks but no thanks. (I live in Cincinnati, and if you’ve never had graters ice cream you’ve never lived). (I’d pay for your airfare and you can stay with us. Again, I’m dead. serious).
Second option–if you think my offer above is kinda intriguing, but also kinda creepy maybe you could have some sort of contest offering to do this for one reader. A 1 week room make over challenge. They must be willing to pay for a flight and put you up (OR since this is such an awesome idea, I bet one of your sponsors would help foot the bill?)
I think this could get you out of your design rut, see a new part of the country AND meet some cool(ish) readers. Win, win!
hi mandi-
i think this post is what keeps your readers coming back and what makes your blog so successful.
First of all, I agree1000% percent about the “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” theory when it comes to creativity.
Second of all, THANK YOU for being real. I would so much rather come on to VR and see a truly honest, relatable post about being a rut than perfect project after perfect project. I completely understand why so many bloggers don’t post pictures of their fails, their “in a funk” moods, their weird hair days, etc. (can’t say that I would) BUT i’m just sayin its a very refreshing change of pace to hear some honesty on this internet!
here’s wishing you ***sparkles*&**creative-fairy-dust**&***inspiration** galore
don’t force it too hard, i have a feeling your little orange (i feel like yours would be orange) creativity monster will be back on her own in no time keeping you up at night with amazing ideas
Mandi, thanks for helping me understand how I feel. Really, I am your twin right now. So, I am going to go and rip out my hall closet, and fix it up. Thanks for the inspiration! Oh, and good luck finding a couch. 🙂 I have no doubt your creative battery will be on full very soon, it is in your soul, you can’t help it.
I have a project for you. MY HOUSE! Hop on a plane and head on down to South Louisiana! I can pay you with all our yummy food! Deal? Deal.
From a selfish standpoint, I’d love to see what you did with an abandoned house! Did you see that the gals at A Beautiful Mess have a house they’re doing and then giving to Habitat for Humanity?
I am right there with you Mandi! I thought I had settled on that slump-busting project idea, and then I found crappy OSB under my stair carpeting rather than the unfinished pine I was expecting… Plan foiled! I went thrifting yesterday hoping to find something that would spark my creativity but returned home empty handed. I’m about to start a big house-cleaning session in the hopes that an uncluttered house will equal an uncluttered mind will equal the perfect blank space for inspiration! And of course I’ll throw in some Netflix and Craigslist-trawling too 🙂
Yep, been there! How I fixed it? I will quote a friends mom, “Just do something, even if it is wrong, just do something!” So I went into the Lab (my creative world) and did something and yes it turned out really bad, but I did something-I had a win. Next thought was, “what if”, that is when I knew I would be okay. I did not give myself an option for languishing, nope, just got up and started. Oh it seems so simple, but really it was very hard!
Thanks for letting us all know even the experts have trouble, we all know they do, but to actually experience it with them-that is helpful. (I would love to buy an old building and redo it!)
My best friend gave me the best advice when we were in high school. He said, “whenever you are out of ideas, get a sheet of paper and draw a line. Then draw another. And another, until your mind starts to create the picture, and you become creative again. All you are doing is reopening your mind’s eye, which tends to shut when doing mindless things like watching television or cleaning.”
So try that. Draw a line, and then another, and keep doing it until you created something. Its always worked for me, even in my most uncreative moments…
I’m having a hard time getting back into the swing of things, too! For me, December is a crazy month of orders, craft fairs and obligations, so when January rolls around, all I want is my comfy yoga pants, leftover holiday chocolate and the remote! I guess it’s all about forward momentum, so start small and grow. I picked up a little knitting project just to get my hands moving again! Good luck and we’ll all be waiting for your next great project!
P.S. Are you going to post the tutorial for the light fixture in The Nugget soon? I’m dying to do something like that in my studio!!
I’m just relieved to hear that this is a real thing that other creatives suffer from. I tried explaining it to my totally left brained, logical, non-creative, schedule-following husband and he was like, “What? Just like, make something.” But, having your creative pipes clogged can drive you mad. And, yes, use it or lose it. That’s what happened with my blog. I’m just hopping back on the wagon. Good luck in getting your battery recharged.
The battery is a perfect analogy. Right now I’m in the opposite place. I’m sure your battery will be ready to go soon enough but in the meantime feel free to come and help me make all these ideas in my head actually happen! 😉
When I hit that creativity black hole in the kitchen (my main creative space), it helps me to make something I already know. My norm in the kitchen is new-new-new, better-better-better, All. The. Time. But instead, I deliberately make a recipe that I’ve made successfully before, one that is a piece of me and that I know will turn out great. (I suppose it’s the marathon metaphor version of going for a mile-long run on a trail you know by heart, just to get your blood pumping.)
Somehow making what I know helps me get back to who I am and remember the joy that comes from doing what I love. I’m not saying you should redo a room you’ve done obviously, but maybe even just making a project similar to one you’ve done and giving it as a gift — getting to see the joy it brings and getting comfortable again — would help take the pressure off. You are a fun, funky, daring creative force, and I know you’re gonna power through this. I’m looking forward to the fabulous results. 🙂
Paaalease go with the Ragnar theme.
You used to do the room makeover giveaways and I loved those, and entering
You used to do the room makeover giveaways and I loved those, and entering
You used to do the room makeover giveaways and I loved those, and entering
If I send you some pictures of my new living room, perhaps you could come up with a creative layout and some furniture ideas for me. I’m truly stumped..we have these mid-century wood slats throw me off (but we want to keep because apparently they were designed by I. M. Pei). Just bought a Restoration Hardware leather sofa but the rest is up in the air. Seriously, email me if you need a mini-project.
You had me at the word “shank”, because I’ve been trying to work that awesome word in for months. Top five of fave words, serious. So yes I too adore Daniel at Manhattan Nest– you and him are about all I read anymore. That’s all of my blog life. If you take on that house I will just die. I will love it and feel guilty loving it while you do all the dirty work. I’m tired just thinking about it.
hahah, I binged watched all of Vikings over the holidays too and now I just want to dress and do my hair like Lagertha. And my makeup like Floki.
I hear you. You just have to trust that the creativity tap will come back on. A good tidy up often does the trick for me, I can always come up with something I would rather be doing
I feel the same way! I just moved into a new-old home that needs serious refreshing – but on a Mandi budget! I’m all locked-up and can’t “see” what the spaces need. I feel totally uninspired and it’s draining! You can come over – I’ll make some cookies and we can commiserate. Maybe it’s something in the air down here?
I have a whole house full of potential. Want to come see? Really, I live in St George, too and am always finding ideas, but no motivation to do anything with it. I need a big swift kick in the hiney to get over my fears and just tackle something.
Inspiration strikes when you least expect it!
I do follow Daniel and you – not sure which came first, chicken and egg. And I am so with you. I just finished renovating our midcentury apartment in Queens. And I’m itching for a Condemned House thanks to Manhattan Nest! I have many little finishing projects, sure. But I am yearning for a new full scale reno. Yikes.
You’ll get your making-mojo back, I’m sure of it! Your brain & creativity juices (and motivation!) will start flowing when you find something that inspires you again. Just keep walking around the world and being curious and you won’t be able to help yourself!
Preach sista! So right there with you!
Oh my gosh you are too funny and you just made me laugh! I am just like you and you just said everything that i need to say! Go rock it! I love Ragnar and look forward to February new season to pull me out of the funk (or at least make this freezing winter up here in niagara way better!)
We’re watching The Vikings right now (Season 2)….and I totally think it’s worth a little creative break….it’s just awesome! 🙂
Well, the therapists say that one thing to do is to volunteer–little premature babies in hospitals often need little hats to keep warm, there is the Little Dresses for Africa project, but anything is helpful that would give you something “creative” to do (but which really is fairly limited in challenge–the shape/size of the hats are often specified, and “little dresses” has some nice parameters to it). The therapists also say (can you tell I talk to therapists?) that picking one thing that won’t take a lot of time (like a simple little dress), which has a clear ending after which you will feel accomplishment, and which helps others will help one to produce the proper sorts of feel-good endorphins. Since several readers need help right now with their projects–you might host an “Ask Vintage Revivals” segment and offer some advice (though not necessarily go and visit), or have a contest (perhaps with fellow bloggers) to see who can make the best “little dress” or other charitable craft. Anything that is small in scope and minimal in time commitment, but disproportionately large in payoff might be a good idea. Getting back into running after a break involves starting with baby steps–a little more each day–to build up one’s endurance (if one were to continue the analogy).
You know what it sounds like you need? A trip to the desert. To stay at my house. It’s bursting with possibility. I’ll give you sweet moola (with uncle rico), cupcakes, a blank canvas and provide you with a massage therapist. Tempted? Can you even imagine how invigorated you would feel upon arriving back home. So recharged and whatnot….. just a thought;).
You know, the fact that you shared ALL of this with us, went into very fine detail to convey your angst and feelings, told us about past troubled experiences and even shared your adventure to a spooky house you (in a moment of plugged up creativity) thought you might renovate?…the very fact that you said all of this, makes me believe in no uncertain terms that you are going to be just fine.
Don’t beat yourself up too much. Recharging the creative batteries sometimes looks like a whole lot of nothing, but the magic is happening underneath. Go on a few artist’s dates and fill the well… it will return because it’s a part of you and it must. <3
Say “Whatever. I am fabulous.” Repeat hourly ’cause it’s true.
I so feel the same way lately and need to stop with Netflix 😉 In desperate need to recharge here.
You must have watched a Vikings marathon. Love Love Ragnar. He is definitely candy of another variety. Right up there with SOA’s Jax. Besides the Big High of two really Big & awesome projects then relax and catch your breath, I think December is that way for a lot of folks. Wrapping up the year and Christmas and the Day 1 to start all over again can be overwhelming. I have no doubt the gears in your mind will be creaking to life soon with something absolutely amazing that we will be on the edge of our seats to see.
As I read this I had to make sure it wasn’t me writing it….I keep trying to climb out of the funk but nothing is working. Maybe I will paint something.
Mandi
You are unique above all the uniqueys out there. You inspire and really work at this blog as well as permeate our world with uber creativity and vitality. Don’t despair – it’s January! Our days here are an endlessness of cold and gray. My house is filled with unfinished projects, my store has sucked my creative brains dry and I am a blob at this time of the year. Nature tells us to SLooooow our roll and drift a bit. It’s all good. I’ve been drawn to a new medium lately – paper… Trying something foreign and new kicks our learning curves in the butt and also makes us slow down to just try and do something not knowing if we like it. The Artists Way says to make a date with ourselves (alone) once a week just to soak up museums, galleries etc. – other peoples creativitiy -From personal experience – it works too!
I LOVE Daniels blog. Realtalk. I hope you find your next big thing sooner than later. <3
Well, shoot! If you lived close by I’d invite you into my cozy little bungalow salon and ask you to help me re-decorate! I need some serious inspiration too!
Don’t we all just hit our max around December and feel burned out!? And I totally hear you. Once I start back up again then it’s easy to keep going. It’s just the getting going part. 🙂
Girl, I am a registers nurse and normally work bizzaro hours, which often leaves me up at 1 am ( 7 mo pregnant with number 2 by the way) eating my re-wormed up dinner alone. Mmmmm good times. Alas it is a sad life, but I turn to you as my dinner date haha! What can I do to send some creativity your way? Otherwise I’m stuck looking at US weekly during my dining which just sinks me into an even lower low! Good luck!
Even my poor new PC, only 7″ big… but it’s a PC n all I’ve got! anyway, it got ”malware” soooo, only 3 wks old, so I call tech support, since my firewall is blocking my connection I can’t get online help… the guy fiddles around w b.s. for 10 min then announces I have to BUY tech support, by the month or the year… and, ‘cuz its my first call!!!! he’ll ”give” me a $50 discount off the $349.99 annual fee!!!!!!!!! No pay, no tech support. Bottom line—I think our World is in the Funk you’re describing…. together we will RECHARGE and create once more! Warm thoughts for you and all.
Besides all that… you are a Spark of pure joy girl. Keep your chin up!! We love you!!
great post!
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HanasFancyDress?ref=hdr_shop_menu
This is so true! Creativity is a lot like a car battery. Gotta drive it or it will burn out. When I get into a funk like this, I usually try to do something frivolously creative. Something that is purely just for the hell of it like writing a wacky story, painting something random, drawing aimlessly. Sometimes I find that what pushes me away from being creative on a daily basis is the drive to make my project good, swoon-worthy, whatever. But when i’m creating just because I feel like it, the pressure is off. Thanks for sharing your experiences! I can really relate!!
It’s nugget time!! Get in and DRIVE!!! that’s all you need to do. so SIMPLE. 🙂
Why don’t you just try styling something two different ways and then take a poll of which one will like better. I always like having an opinión.
Netflix is dangerous, and especially so if you also have access to sweats/loungewear, popcorn/chips and ice cream/chocolate. Then good luck getting off the sofa before that mini-marathon is done! 🙂
But seriously, sometimes we all need a little down time. Of course creativity is a never-drying source of awesomeness, but getting the stuff done can be a lot of work, as you so eloquently said 🙂 SO maybe some me-time is the key to a jump-start, or at least being ready for a jump-start!
I hope you are having a lovely Sunday!
You speak the truth, and not just about creative DIY, but anything we are passionate about. I totally hear you! I want to see that house!
Ditto! I keep telling myself that I am making a freaking baby and that I just need to cut myself some slack. Also, I find that having a temporary home is making it difficult to find projects that I’m willing to complete and share. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for that!! I have been feeling that way recently, and forgot that doing it brings back the creativity; until I got up and read your post. Well, I’m getting off the computer now and going to use it. So, thank you again.