Out of a Rut 2: Getting Inspired

When I realized my creative juices were not flowing, I gave myself permission to take a break altogether from making and creating. It was a tough time to be in - I felt uncertain; I questioned why I did what I did. I knew, however, that my mind (and hands) needed rest. Perhaps I expected too much from my creativity and it will only flourish once it has had a chance to rest and rejuvenate.

The first steps I took were to continue showing up to my creative routine - my Unicorn Space - and to take classes and become a student again (you can read more about this here).

I used the rest of the time to soak up inspiration. I signed up for The Foldline’s The Sewing Weekender 2022 which was thankfully held online this year. It was a virtual event with lots and lots of sewing. There are speakers who share about their creative endeavors or who teach new projects and techniques. I haven’t finished going through all of the presentations but I like just spending around 30 minutes of my day to view one presentation or maybe even two. Doing that makes me feel like I take in information better.

I relish having me time. In the midst of work and other responsibilities, I love setting aside time to put myself first. And so in the period of being in a rut, I used my personal time to do things that both inspired me and made me happy. I ate in nice restaurants. I would spend a couple of hours in a fabric store - not buying anything but just happily drooling over the fabrics and sewing notions. I would spend an afternoon in a coffee shop with a book.

I’m also very happy that museums in Japan are already open and I have been to a couple of fascinating ones since the pandemic. I love visiting museums and losing myself in the artwork. I love it because whenever I see other people in a museum, I feel like we’re all like-minded people sharing the same interest and appreciation for the artist and the art. And I love being able to stand in front of an artwork, looking at it real close - studying the brush strokes, trying to uncover the colors used in the layers of paint, hunting for details that are not otherwise noticed when the artwork is viewed from a book or a computer screen.

I also thought getting away would help. My husband and I spent a few days in Fukuoka, exploring its sights and sounds. We also packed up for a short weekend stay in Tokyo which I always find to be so inspiring. I always come away with a new creative idea whenever I roam around the city.

Getting inspired is evidently a conscious effort as I have narrated above rather than something that it waited for. I never bought the idea of idly waiting for inspiration to strike - it comes to those who actively seek it. And it doesn’t involve big grand gestures and inspiration looks different for all people. Doing things that help me grow with soul, even in the midst of my creative well being depleted, is definitely the key.