Blocked

I experienced some pretty major creative blocks this week. For instance, I’m writing a book. I have about 15 chapters finished. But the last two chapters I wrote were the exact same chapters I’d previously written. I thought I was writing new material, only to find I’d been rehashing the same stuff. Nothing new was coming to me.

It was incredibly discouraging. That turned me into a grumpy guy. And I was a dread to be around more than a couple times – ask my wife.

I’d call that a pretty bad creative block.

I’m realizing though that I haven’t been investing in inspiring myself. I’ve been living in a bubble. I haven’t been opening myself up to new ideas. I created this creative block. And I deserve every bit of it. How can I hope to draw inspiration from an empty well?

I didn’t realize my well was drying up. I’d coasted for quite a few months based on the reserves I’ve built up. So it snuck up on me when I was completely dry. I think that’s how it happens to many of us. And we get mad because the seemingly endless well we were once drawing from is finally tapped out.

So I’m doing everything I can to shove new inspiration into my brain. I’m meeting with people, doing new things, exploring new inspirational sites…I’ll be reading some books from folks that don’t do the same things I do.

It won’t be an instantaneous process. I can’t just deposit in the morning what I need for that day. I have to deposit more than I need. I have to look for inspiration everywhere and consume it. No, it won’t be easy. But I can do it. I’m going to get inspired again and create some amazing things.

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