You’re in the groove with your writing or art project. Then, the holidays or some other change disrupts your flow. You and your beloved project grow distant, and the space between you molders in your heart. How to get back in the groove?
Any change in our routine — holidays, vacations, visits from loved ones — can bring a slump in our creative work. Even when we’re completely into our book or art projects, there’s often an inertia that keeps us from getting back into the groove.
Shifting from one mode to another is a challenge for most creatives. We want to get into the flow, but there are a million things we need to do first. Then, when we’re in the flow, it’s hard to tear ourselves away and return to the ‘real’ world.
I coach all my clients on this. It’s one of the biggest problems we solve together – how to get back into the groove.
Here are three things that help my clients rekindle their dedication to their projects.
Take it easy. Let your return be as slow as it needs to, but be firm with yourself about getting back to your writing and creative pursuits. Build up to where you left off, if needed. Start with brief (10 minute) free-writes or similar warm-up exercises. I often invite my clients to have a 15-minute ‘date’ with their project, to get back in touch without pressure.
Connect to the love. What do you love about your writing practice, your exercise regime? You may take a few moments to jot down what you love about it. If you have already done this writing, take it out and revisit your passion.
Design new support structures. Make appointments with your mastermind partners and set up a meeting with your coach or writing buddies to design structure and accountability that works for you.
Beating yourself up over your lapse never works to get on track. Be kind to yourself as you resume your writing or other creative work.
What works for you to get back to the writing or art-making?
This is a very timely discussion for me right now. In September 2013 I started to write an instructional book (I was calling it a booklet) on the art of off-loom rya rug-making. I thought I knew just about everything that I wanted to share with others, but as the months progressed, and I delved into history, and sheep breeds, and design possibilities, I am starting to realize this could be a HUGE project. I am meeting people online and by phone who have opened amazing doors into different perspectives. I am starting to feel overwhelmed, though more passionate than ever about putting this all into “one package.” But my other art work (my main business is suffering, bills are starting to get piled under on the mail table, I’m not getting out with friends enough. Guess it’s time for playdates? A big question…should I at some point soon, simply say, this is enough. People don’t need to know every minute detail…Less is more? Advice?
Melinda,
Thanks for sharing this. It’s a great question and an issue I am sure a lot of people have.
I’d go back to the original impulse of the book. Instructional. All the background info might be valuable but in a different way.
If it’s a booklet or an e-book, keep it focused on learning something specific or solving a specific problem. You may consider all the other material as auxiliary material you could use as blog or guest posts.
I’d go back to the original mission, go back to the how-to outline, and stick to that. Projects can loom (pun not intended but I like it ;)) large because we want to tell EVERYTHING and also as a way to never finish.
Hope that helps you stay on track to completion!
Thank you, Cynthia. Excellent advice. I think a compromise I’m going to make to the project is to pull the “fun facts” and related stories from the instructional part, and use them as “vignettes” to be read by those who want a little more information. But You are right about sticking to the instructional outline for easy to follow directions. Looking forward to your inspirational advise in the future.
Melinda,
Maybe make the stories a bonus bundle? The instructional booklet won’t be solely dry how-to. You put a bit of personality in there. It might be a fun add-on and if there’s a way to see how many people download it, that would tell you that they’re interested.
So don’t make the booklet 100% story-free, just watch the balance of content.
OK, I am going to be raw and honest here: When my husband tells me to get back into the studio!
That’s when I get back into the “flow!”
He says he sees a difference in my behavior (for the worse) when I am not nurturing all the ideas inside of me.
As you all know, life has a way of creating so many other things that NEED to get done… and the doubt… and the fear of completing something that you began to bring to fruition… and so on!
Suzanne,
Thanks for confessing! And there’s no shame in our methods. Whatever works for us to do our work and feel good about it – that works.
I LOVE your comment, because it points to why I do this work of helping people create. Sure, our studio time might not contribute to our bottom line, but it directly contributes to our daily happiness and well-being. As your husband notices, this affects him too. And all the people you encounter.
Happy artists = happy lives. SO glad you’re creating.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Cynthia,
This is a perfect post to find today as I get back to reality after our weekend retreat. Free writing seems to be working for me, so I’m going to add it to my morning routine. Excited to move ahead.
Hey Corinne!
I’m glad this was helpful for you! It definitely takes some focus to get back into the groove.
I am thrilled that free-writing works for you. It’s such a powerful tool in so many ways. 🙂
It was a true delight to meet you this weekend at the retreat. I am thrilled for all the changes you are making!
Have fun writing. 🙂