What do you do when you hit that wall?

[Branwyn]

I have been creative all my life, just wasn't encouraged at it 'til I met up with my current husband. He's been really great for me, encouraging *any* form of creativity I want to try. He's great for my ego, always telling me how good everything is that I do, even when I think it's the worst/most horrid thing in the world because I can see all the flaws.

So I can't "blame" my lack of creativity recently on him.

Since I designed my first necklace a few months ago, my creativity is at a complete standstill. I can't write worth anything (and I've written a book and countless stories -- none published), I can't seem to paint anything good, beadwork just isn't doing well. I've made a small success in polymer clay, but then even that deserted me.

How do I get my creativity back?

Branwyn

[Linx]

Branwyn, it is probably the work thing. I have not been very creative since I started working 3 weeks ago. Just seems like I have no time for it. Lately I have been enjoying other's creativity by reading countless novels and books.

I get ideas for things, and rarely follow through. I think the creativity is still there (at least for me) it has just been pushed into the background. Not only creativity with my art, and other crafts, but with my family too. I feel like I am neglecting them, and have deserted them in some way. I am always tired, and have little time, and interested in doing anything with anyone lately. I rarely even sign on to AIM, just cause I feel like i do not have the time to talk to anyone. This new *work* thing really has me worn out and stressed out beyond anything I could have imagined.

Which is all very odd, since Until I started the jewelry business, I worked a *regular* job all my life. I guess 3 years of being on my own, and doing what I wanted when I wanted, really changed me in way I had not seen. I contimplate quitting this job daily, as I wish so much to be me again... and it just may come to that. If only I could find another way to rake in funds with my artistic talents. Or had not the market for jewelry in this area seemingly died I would not have to worry about trying to bring in extra funds, to fund our construction.

The sorry thing is, I have been asked by 2 places now, to come and teach beading classes once again, and now that I sold off everything, I have no samples to show, no supplies to recreate any with in a pinch. So is life I suppose.

You will get the spark back again, it is just going to take some YOU time to do it. Take a day, and nothing but yourself, spend it doing what you want, perhaps in a park, or in some place creative such as a museum. I bet it gets some ideas and desire rolling again. Sorry I can't help with much more than that.

[~*Ginger*~]

I think, that creativity, like lots of other things, has different seasons...