2020 was the beginning of a lot of things. We're experiencing a different world. As a creative, it hits something different. As they say, your creativity shines best under limitations. I was inspired to write this because something dawned on me in the middle of all of it.
During the pursuits of your career, have you ever felt burnout? Have you ever doubted yourself? Asked yourself that is this really your true calling? Is this still your passion? Have you ever lost creative ideas? Not showing interest in the projects you're handling?
Well, I have. I've been encountering these questions for some time now and the pandemic was making it worse. I was completely lost and unhappy. I was scared that I'm losing interest in filmmaking. For some reason, it finally hit me. I realized, all this time, I have been continuously creating things for other people, for other people's thoughts in mind.
When was the last time I created something for myself? Just for the sake of creating?
It was a sudden wave of realization, and at that moment, I felt relieved. I have been burning myself out, feeling like a robot all this time, not realizing that I haven't given a day to create something for myself.
If you're a creative— a filmmaker, a graphic designer, a writer, etc. — have you felt the same way? have you felt scared of losing creative ideas?
Well, I wrote down a list of things we can do, so that it won't happen again, a list that maintains our jive, our creativity.
I'm sure there's a similar list to this, especially on Pinterest, but most that I'll mention are the core essentials in order to maintain your creativity.
1. Schedule a Creative Day
I facepalmed when I wrote this down. I totally forgot about this. I have seen a Youtube video by Aileen Xu, who's known for her self-care content, and she explains how important it is for us, artists, to have a day for ourselves. I believe she called it Artist Day. For me, I'd like to call it "Creative Day". The word "Creative" just has a ring that pushes you to create. But call whatever you want to call it. Make it your own.
The constant work you put up just to earn your money's worth and to satisfy your clients or boss can drain you, especially projects that don't normally serve your interest. When it forces you to come up with ideas for it, it will come to a point where you feel like a robot. So, set a day for yourself to create something just for the heck of it, just for fun.
2. Stay Curious
There may be some of you who feel like they know well enough to do their craft. I'm also sure that there are some of you who agree with me that, duh, we have to stay curious. We have to continue learning even if we feel like we've touched every subject and skill there is to know about our craft. Life is all about continuous learning.
Keep in mind that every teacher teaches differently, as well as every experience. Until now, I buy screenwriting books and look for good online film workshops or webinars that I can learn from. Yes, sometimes, I feel like I'm going to hear the same thing over and over again, but sometimes they surprise me with things I never thought about. I'm given a different perspective.
Nearing the end of 2020, I had this urge to draw again. Other than writing blogs and work in the film industry, I draw on my iPad as a side hobby. So by Christmas day, I gifted myself a tutorial by Aveline Stockart, one of my favorite Digital Artists.
Not only do we continue learning our craft, but we should also learn from other mediums, arts outside our fields like pottery, painting, and knitting. Sometimes things outside of our element can inspire us in our current field.
3. Create Side Projects
This is connected to Tip#1. On your creative day, other than creating whatever you feel like creating, it's nice to start a side project. A side project that perhaps won't be finished within your creative day. Think about it. Every week, you have something to look forward to for that one day to work on it.
I know I have when I decided to start writing Fanfiction again. I have no shame or regrets in saying that. It makes me happy to just make something for myself, and I'm sure it will for you too.
You can even experiment with what you've learned from those knitting classes you attended, and create a set of sweaters for your family and your little doggo.
4. Explore
This is about exploring your environment. If you're reading this, and the pandemic is over, good for you. But if you're reading this and it's still the pandemic, don't fret.
Thanks to technology, we can experience virtual tours of Museums and Art exhibits from the comfort of our own home. We also get to experience virtual talks, interact with our idols in Q&A's, and many more. Going around and joining events brings us outside of that work mode and enlightens our creative minds.
Even when we're stuck at home, we have to go around and explore what's going on with the world right now. It's nice to feed our minds with knowledge and get inspired with new ideas.
Other than the virtual world, you can even walk around your own neighborhood. I'm currently walking around my neighborhood almost every day because of a surgery I had last month. I've gone through similar routes and when I get bored by that, I tried different routes. You may find yourself sick of seeing the same things over and over again. Believe me, I felt that, but what's important is what happens while you're walking.
A lot of writers like Virginia Woolf and Henry David Thoreau find walking as a way to walk with your mind, your ideas. When you're just sitting still, it's like you're stuck with your thoughts and your work. Nothing is moving. Nothing is being sorted out. You're not going anywhere. Scientists say that when we walk, we feel more energy and more positive. We are made to move around anyway. We have to move ourselves every once in a while.
When you walk outside and your eyes see more environment than your four-wall apartment, your mind begins to work. Try it. You'll find your mind jogging ideas and exploring new paths along the way.
5. Hangout with Creative People
I've heard this multiple times from different sources. You have to, so you can see why this must be a core essential to maintain your creativity.
It's nice to surround yourself with people who are in the same field as you. There's this constant anxiety when you share your projects and ideas with friends, yet a warm rush when their eyes light up and express their interest and contribute to your ideas. I feel so giddy inside when that happens. You get new perspectives and constructive criticisms that you didn't notice before. You've been sitting with your ideas alone, so to have someone from outside looking in is really helpful.
It doesn't even have to be with people who are in the same field as you. It can be someone from different departments. They may not think like you, but someone with a different perspective can be really helpful at times. You get to learn together and help each other as friends and as a community.
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In times like these, there's a high chance that you'll find yourself lost, frustrated, and stuck. I hope this helps in maintaining and regaining your creativity, your flow. It's all about finding time for yourself to create, explore, and learn freely.
Leave a comment below on an activity that has helped you in maintaining your creativity.
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