Just Sayin'....

Every creative soul suffers from 'creative block', 'funk', or depression....it is our sensitive nature & soul that reacts to outside influences...
Some of us dive headfirst into our work when feeling stressed, and some of us dive headfirst into our beds, covering our heads and hoping the world will go away...sorry to say, the world will NOT go away!!! SOOOOooooooooooo...here's what I do to help myself claw out of a rut:
(you can do one or all from the list below, I guarantee AT LEAST ONE of them WILL work for you!)

1. Phone a Friend ~ or email, facebook, tweet, whatever...find one of your creative friends and tell them how awesome THEIR work is. (doing this makes you feel better by giving positive praise...and that WILL come back to you!)

2.Go for a walk ~ anywhere, anytime, with anyone, or by yourself....walking helps us clear our minds, focus on breathing, and just makes us feel better through endorphins.

3. Have a Play Date: Invite a couple of friends (or one) person over...have tea (wine?) cookies, chocolate, cupcakes, whatever...each person brings some sort of project to work on, and some show & tell....don't know anyone? put up a flyer in your local market, bank, wherever there's a cork board, there's potential for new FRIENDS!!!!!

4. Cook/BAKE SOMETHING! ~ seriously...go through your cookbooks ( & I know you have many)...and pick out a meal a day ~ set one full day aside for shopping, and purchase all of the ingredients for that meal...OR, redo your pantry....restock your spices....don't cook? then just organize what you have at hand...it will make you feel better....seriously! working in the kitchen nurtures our bodies and soul...better yet, create your OWN gourmet creation!

5. Take a "ME" Day ~ get up early (or late?)....let your day begin gently with tea & scones, or fresh fruit...something light & healthy...as you 'wake up', gather your favorite things: magazine or books., baskets of un-finished objects (UFO's)...perhaps peruse your favorite blogs?
make a nest for yourself in your favorite chair and do nothing but what you WANT to do...watch an old movie...listen to your favorite music...
...sometimes we need to be a little lost...how could we possibly find ourselves if we don't get occasionally lost??? chances are, the much-needed break will spark a fire in your creative soul :)

6. Try Something New! ~ don't know how to knit? always wanted to learn how to paint? How about a new Yoga move????
...check out the tutorials on YOU TUBE....you'll be amazed at what you can do , even though you never tried to do it!

7. CLEAN something!!! ~ windows, floors, your car, the cat box....really :) Cleaning & Purging helps us to de clutter our homes as well as our minds...you'll feel MUCH better!!!

8. Redecorate....no, I'm not suggesting that you hire a professional....just take a look at your surroundings. Does that cupboard really fit there? Do you need to change out your curtains? Or better yet, take DOWN the curtains, WASH the windows and let the sunshine sparkle through...nothing like bright light to coax creativity!!!

9. Begin Slowly ~ Once you're more focused, start slowly...let your creativity build to a crescendo...what's in your head will flow smoothly through your hands MUCH better at a slower pace!!!

10.STOP Criticizing yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yeah, I know....THIS is a hard one)....but, take it from me...WE are our own worst enemies when it comes to sabotaging our selves, but....that's where we seem to be professionals!!!

So, for this one, my advice is to keep a journal, sketchbook. notepad....something where we can jot down our (MANY) random-but-creative thoughts, (all depends on how you look at things!!!) try to remember that we (as Women) are Creative to begin with...WE have the capabilities of giving LIFE to many things (perhaps not Human Life...) but equally as important: relationships, memories, artwork,, and just maybe to ourselves ~ if we give ourselves the chance....

Blessings from the Farm!

Lori