It’s hard to find very many bright spots regarding the past couple of years. Most musicians had to cancel tours and shows, and limit any kind of fan interaction. But, if there’s been one benefit to that, it’s the free time to be creative.
It’s been a great time to spend working on projects, coming up with new ideas, new sounds, and new songs.
But, when you’re spending so much time letting your creative juices flow, you could also burn yourself out.
The result?
Creative blocks.
When you’re trying to keep yourself busy by tackling multiple projects and trying to create great things, you could actually end up exhausting yourself. Sound familiar?
Don’t let your creative blocks cause you to become anxious or depressed about your music or the future. With a few habitual changes and realizing you don’t have to overcome those hurdles on your own, you can escape from the confines of your own blockages and feel inspired enough to let your creativity flow again.
Switching Up Your Space
Whether you do most of your work in a home studio, a professional studio, or even your bedroom, it’s important to feel comfortable when you’re trying to get your creative juices flowing.
But, working in one place for too long can make things feel stagnant. Your environment has a greater impact on your mental health than you might think. Changing your space can make a big difference in boosting your motivation and making you feel more “alive” in your creativity.
If you can’t completely change locations, consider revamping your current space. Try things like:
- Changing the wall colors
- Rearranging furniture
- Adding new artwork that inspires you
- Letting in more natural light
Another great idea is to decorate with plants. Houseplants have incredible stress-reducing benefits. They can fight fatigue, improve your focus, and even boost your mood. There’s a reason why so many people have become “plant parents” throughout this pandemic!
Changing Your Habits
Sometimes, changing a few simple habits can make a big difference when it comes to leaping over creative blocks. Some aspects of your daily routine will not only boost your creativity but also your musicality. While it might not seem very “rock n’ roll” to have a steady routine, you’ll fare much better now during this downtime, and even when you head back out to start playing live gigs. Try to include the following in your routine each day:
- Exercising
- Getting enough sleep
- Brainstorming about music – without your instrument
- Taking time to meditate or practice mindfulness
You might have noticed, all of these habits are also forms of self-care. That phrase can seem a little overused these days, but it’s incredibly important for your mental and physical well-being. Exercising, for example, can improve your concentration, allow you to sleep better, and give you more energy. You’ll experience even more benefits if you exercise outside since nature is a natural mood booster. Meditation and mindfulness can help to clear the “noise” from your thoughts and improve your state of flow.
By taking care of your mind and body, you can quickly get out of a creative “rut,” and you’ll enjoy plenty of additional benefits to your well-being as a bonus.
Reaching Out for Help
One of the most dangerous aspects of this pandemic has been isolation and loneliness. People are social creatures. As a musician, you’re likely used to being around others more often than not. You might tour with a band, interact with fans, play live shows, and typically spend your free time exploring new places and immersing yourself in the cultures of different cities.
COVID-19 took that away for far too long. Now, we’re facing a different sort of pandemic – the spike in mental health conditions. During the height of the pandemic, 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. reported symptoms of anxiety or depression – up from 1 in 10 adults in 2019.
While fear and uncertainty are major factors when it comes to these mental health struggles, isolation has played a large role, as well. It can lead to depression and extra stress, while also contributing to physical problems like high blood pressure and even reduced mortality.
Whether you’re struggling with isolation or you’re worried your creative block might be fueled by depression or stress, it’s important to remember you’re never truly alone.
Reaching out to a mental health professional is one of the best things you can do. Now, thanks to advancements in telehealth, you can connect with a therapist or counselor anywhere in the world. That gives you support whenever and wherever you need it, so you can get to the bottom of your struggles and start to feel more like yourself again.
Creative blocks don’t last forever. Be patient with yourself and show some self-compassion. By trying some of the suggestions listed here and finding that “spark” again, you’ll be back to creating musical masterpieces in no time.
Courtesy of Indiana Lee