Inspiration comes and goes. I'm a professional artist for over 6 years and I also had long periods of feeling burnt out and uninspired; every artist, even the most successful ones go through times like these. It is even said that the single difference between a master artist and those who failed is that the masters didn't give up when these times came.
Here are some things that help me:
- Try to remember what you loved in it when you were productive, why you started. Even write it down on a piece of paper what you love in creating.
- Watch other artists, shows and play games that reignite that inspiration for creativity in you. Let yourself fantasise about making those things. Listen to good music, read books, browse Artstation; get input for your imagination and creativity.
- Learn new things;for art watch Bobby Chiu on Youtube (he has videos on burnout and inspiration, extremely recommended), Proko on Youtube, or take Schoolism classes; for writing I know fewer options, but there is Terrible Writing Advice, Alexa Donne and the WorldAnvil Community I can recommend; stagnating your skill is a quick way to become jaded, while learning new things can quick-start your drive back on.
- Try new things. Working on the same one story idea or only drawing the same dragons/wolves/whatever in a sketchbook will get old quickly. Do something way out your comfort zone. Either a new medium, a new project or just a new subject.
- Join communities that share your interest. I mentioned WorldAnvil before, that's a mixed bag of wordbuilders, but there are many communities for artists/writers that are more specialised. Having like-minded people around you is important to keep going.
- Try to be productive just 5 minutes a day. Just 5 short minutes, you can surely sit down for that long. Most of the time you would find yourself keeping at it if you are already there.
- Sometimes you just have to force it. Art, literature or drawing is hard, it's a complex skill earned by years of training, it doesn't come easy to anyone. It's very rewarding and fun, but sometimes you have to push through the harder stuff too to get there.
The parts where just everything seems to be so horribly timed and keeping you from getting back to doing anything: it's important to realise when you are burnt out your mind to takes anything as a good excuse not to do the thing. Learn to ignore it. Show them who's boss, you control your life, go and do and create anyway.
I think my creative side is dying?
← View full post
Inspiration comes and goes. I'm a professional artist for over 6 years and I also had long periods of feeling burnt out and uninspired; every artist, even the most successful ones go through times like these. It is even said that the single difference between a master artist and those who failed is that the masters didn't give up when these times came.
Here are some things that help me:
- Try to remember what you loved in it when you were productive, why you started. Even write it down on a piece of paper what you love in creating.
- Watch other artists, shows and play games that reignite that inspiration for creativity in you. Let yourself fantasise about making those things. Listen to good music, read books, browse Artstation; get input for your imagination and creativity.
- Learn new things;for art watch Bobby Chiu on Youtube (he has videos on burnout and inspiration, extremely recommended), Proko on Youtube, or take Schoolism classes; for writing I know fewer options, but there is Terrible Writing Advice, Alexa Donne and the WorldAnvil Community I can recommend; stagnating your skill is a quick way to become jaded, while learning new things can quick-start your drive back on.
- Try new things. Working on the same one story idea or only drawing the same dragons/wolves/whatever in a sketchbook will get old quickly. Do something way out your comfort zone. Either a new medium, a new project or just a new subject.
- Join communities that share your interest. I mentioned WorldAnvil before, that's a mixed bag of wordbuilders, but there are many communities for artists/writers that are more specialised. Having like-minded people around you is important to keep going.
- Try to be productive just 5 minutes a day. Just 5 short minutes, you can surely sit down for that long. Most of the time you would find yourself keeping at it if you are already there.
- Sometimes you just have to force it. Art, literature or drawing is hard, it's a complex skill earned by years of training, it doesn't come easy to anyone. It's very rewarding and fun, but sometimes you have to push through the harder stuff too to get there.
The parts where just everything seems to be so horribly timed and keeping you from getting back to doing anything: it's important to realise when you are burnt out your mind to takes anything as a good excuse not to do the thing. Learn to ignore it. Show them who's boss, you control your life, go and do and create anyway.
My summary for you is:
You can do it!!