Creative Block
and feeling inadequate.
Last week I was hiking in the French Alps. Staying at a friends Chalet having a wonderful relaxing time, eating great food and generally recharging my batteries.
I took some yarn (Cascade 220), started a jumper I had wanted to knit (Chalet Jumper by Ranti Studio) and made good progress.
However, since getting home I seem to have been struck by creative block and don’t seem to be able to focus on tasks ahead. Everytime I start thinking about new designs, all I see is a jumble of pixels in my head and all I want to do is lay my head on my desk in frustration.
I think I am in a cycle of procrastination and avoidance, and I am therefore constantly sidestepping the tasks ahead. This in turn gives rise to frustration, self-doubt, a pervasive lack of motivation and I am constantly questioning my abilities and the quality of my work.
Being usually a very focused person, this is a pretty new and strange feeling for me and I am not too sure how to overcome this lack of inspiration, overthinking and mental fatigue.
I am going to try the following:
Going for a brisk walk, read a book, meet with a friend, binge watch some TV and then make something…anything.
I will let you know how I get on next week.
Until then, take care
Heike xo
PS: Please share any ideas or experiences you may have, I’d be very grateful.
Oh, I feel you on this. I get stuck in these cycles too but the more I worry about it the worse it seems to get. I generally tell myself it's OK to just read for a few days and take the pressure of my knitting brain. Having said that I feel as though I need to go and have a good old stash rummage so hopefully that will inspire a few ideas.
Unless you have a looming deadline, give yourself permission to not design anything. Pick up some mindless knitting with yarn you love (a simple cowl, blanket, pair of socks, whatever you can knit in the dark). I find that the muse is most likely to visit while I have yarn and needles in my hands, so stay open to new ideas that float in to your mind while you're knitting on that mindless project. Inspiration will come.