Create Despite Your Mood
It can be really difficult to be creative when your mood fluctuates.
So how do you ignore your moody-self and continue to push for more content? This could be set towards any sort of Creative Mind. But I’d like to at least give you guys the break down of how to create, despite your mood.
First and foremost you must have the desire to create something. Motivation versus Inspiration. Don’t get the wrong idea these are completely different. Both are based on “feels” if you will. But keeping them in check can help your creative process.
Mood = Motivation. “The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.” You can be Inspired but still FEEL down or unmotivated.
Desire = Inspiration. “The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.” Having too much inspiration can also cause one to be less motivated if they are overwhelmed.
I. Taking Care of You.
Know your body. Identify where your mood changes are coming from. Go to the Doctor. Once you’ve figured it out whether it’s a physical or mental issue you can better target what to do about it. I am no medical professional, therefore I urge you to find one. Ex: I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. It causes a LOT of fatigue. It’s not mental. It’s a physical disability.
Diet is also important. For me, I need a lot more protein & anti-inflammatory diets. I had to learn to eat more nutritious according to what my body needed. Once I did the difference was insane. If you eat the way your own body demands it’ll make you feel better and be more productive.
Surroundings are also highly important. I’m surrounded by loud obnoxious neighbors and I hardly get any sleep. No matter what I do, when things are out of my control I work hard to adapt as best as I can. Ex: wear headphones and listen to music or an audiobook. If something out of your control is making you moody do whatever you can with your situation.
Rest and Relaxation.
II. Being Productive & Making Friends.
Keeping yourself motivated is key. I haven’t experienced Art Block in many years. Lack of ideas or inspiration does not effect me like it used to. Motivation however can seriously push my projects further across deadlines. Remove negativity from your life. When you are surrounded by other individuals who are like-minded and creative it puts you in a better mindset to BE productive.
Make friends on your platform of choice. Real friends. Don’t be fake or a suck up to those fake people. Be truly friendly. Praise your friends for their successes and their new opportunities. Your kindness will be reciprocated by those who are real. They will be more likely to celebrate your successes and motivate you to push farther than you ever imagined.
Journal if you need to write your thoughts out.
III. Do What You Feel Like.
Your mood will always affect your work, so try to only work during your best hours. If you just aren’t feeling it, don’t try to push yourself. Forced work is crap work. Instead, force yourself to relax and chill all day. Replenish your inspiration and motivation by any means. Movies, Games, Books, etc.
As an example…
I do not “doodle” ever. Lots of people love it, but I do not. Just because others do something does not mean that you need to do it too. Let others offer suggestions because they are your friends, but you can politely decline. If I’m going to do art I’m going to do it with purpose. Rather than doodling like some people I keep ideas and thoughts on a small notepad in full detail. That way when I have nothing to do I can open it and work out the specifics of that piece I was thinking about. Composition, lighting, etc. The real work of the piece. The pretty thought in my mind is only a vague image but something that inspires me. And that works for me. Do what you feel like. Always.
Leopard Chilling at the Birmingham Zoo.
IV. Go At Your Own Pace.
People can certainly try to pressure you into making more and doing more. Who the fuck cares? You do what you can and celebrate when you do more than you anticipated. That’s me every week. Accepting the time you need for recuperating is not a weakness it’s just how you work. Accept you for who you are, and do things as they are good for you.
Some people work faster than others, and there’s no shame in being the slow one. I’ve grown faster at my craft based on my own wants and needs. Part of it is that I specifically try to “Sketch” and not fully render every piece of art I put my mind to. Sometimes you just need the general practice. It’s not a commission. It’s MY work and I can stop when I damn well please.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
V. Action.
Take all of this to heart, because if you only attempt it half way, it won’t make a difference. COMMIT to your desire to do whatever it is you want to do. All will come as it should.
It’s like thinking you’re gonna start exercising. If you don’t commit to your regime you aren’t going to see the full results. That’s just a fact. Hard work pays off. Do the work. Whatever it is, and you’ll see yourself going farther. When you look back a year later you won’t believe the progress you’ve made. Same goes for any profession. Challenge yourself to simply be consistent.