Getting Out of a (Creative) Rut
My little 'How To' guide and productivity resources for creative blocks
Dear Reader,
Before we get into this juicy resource-filled newsletter, I wanted to follow up on my previous newsletter. I had mentioned I’ll be in touch with more information about my next sound healing session, after the success of the first one. Well, I’m here with all details! I am co-facilitating a beautiful sound-healing journey, blending raga music with sound bowls and bells with a close friend on the 31st of July at We the Conscious studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT, in Hackney. If you’re looking for a mid-year reset, calm ,etherial, meditative frequencies, or just a minute to slow-down and breathe, you are so lovingly welcome to this space. Tickets are linked here. Allow yourself the gift of ease and time x
Now, lets get into some productivity tips.
When it comes to a creative rut, or a productive one (though any kind of productivity requires a certain degree of creativity always), it is safe to say we’ve all experienced it. Over the past few weeks, I had been experiencing a creative slump. I was working and producing, but just not in the state of flow I usually do. I decided to be gentle with myself — letting a few days, maybe more, pass — and then decided to do something about it.
I want to acknowledge that it is by no means normal to keep going, keep writing, producing and sharing, whatever work you are doing in whatever field you are, all the time. Moments of burnout or feelings of being in a slump are so normal, maybe sometimes even needed. They are our body and mind’s way of asking for rest. Give them that when they ask.
It is up to you and your internal compass to know when it is time for redirection, change and a new season. Coming out of a slump can sometimes be chaotic and require some serious motivation, so I decided to write a detailed read of the things I do to transition into a season pf productivity, hoping that a few (maybe all) of these help you in ways you need them to.
Eat the Frog
As funny as it sounds, ‘Eat the Frog’ is a productivity concept that means tackling the most challenging task first. It is a way to overcome procrastination by doing the most difficult task early on. If you find yourself spending (wasting) a lot of time in the mornings, trying to get around to starting work, only to find yourself scrolling on social media, calling a friend, or doing a million little tasks to replicate the feeling of accomplishment, chances are you are procrastinating. In such a situation, I’ve found that tackling the most difficult thing first reduces the anxiety and procastination associated with it by a significant amount. You are essentially getting the scary thing out of the way and allowing yourself room to breathe without the thought of the task looming over your head all day.
Once you get around to the task, chances are, it’s not even as hard or scary as you think it is. Even if it’s the hardest thing you do all day, so much of the anxiety around the task comes from not doing it. Beat that by putting the task at the top of your list. You’ll notice how confident and light you feel the rest of the day.
Organisation
One of my favourite (and most productive) ways of working is through organising my work. I can always tell I’m slipping when I haven’t planned my days and weeks out and factored in the time each task takes, which always leads to massively underestimated timelines, which I, of course, do not meet, and land up in a slump, feeling underproductive. It’s a vicious cycle.
I find that the more I organise and plan, the more I feel in control, and the more I am in control, the more easy it is to keep making and creating from a space of strength.
My go to tool for planning is always a hard copy planner. Nothing beats pen to paper for me. The feeling of turning a page, writing your days and tasks down, seeing it all laid out in front of you…just thinking about it makes me excited! If, however, you work better with soft copies, Notion is my go to for all planning online. From the layout to the tools, everything is so easily accessible, readable and customisable!
Doing more of what you love
I’d say take a little break and do what you love, but what you love is so much more than a break. It is the very reason you do anything at all. The very reason we do anything at all. We just tend to forget that it is, actually, truly, the whole point. Carve time out of your day, no matter how busy it seems to be, no matter how many important tasks pile up, for doing things you truly, genuinely love. Whether that’s cooking, reading, sleeping, even, talking to a friend, talking to your parents, crocheting, going for a run, watching comedy, doesn’t really matter, no one really cares, except you (!).
The things you love came to be loved by you. They entered your orbit in a way that they entered no one else’s because the way you think and feel about them or do them, is so unique to you. This makes both you, and what you love, so special. Have more of that in your life.
So often a slump is born out of things accumulated energetically that we no longer want to carry or need. In all of that, bring more light in. Do more of what you really love.
Less doomscrolling, more loving and holding
This is a BIG one, and easier said than done, but it has to be said. I don’t even need to write about how unhealthy aimless scrolling can be. I think we’ve all (unfortunately) been there. Spending hours keeping up with others’ lives, storylines and energies can sneakily start to feel heavy. You might think you’re relaxing or only consuming “good'“ content, but your mind can’t filter things out as just happy things. Subconsciously, you absorb everything you consume — whether thats tone, language, visuals, or anything else, really. That not-so-happy feeling you feel after you’ve spent 20 mins going through memes only to find out an hour has gone past, feeling that over several days can without a doubt, keep you in a slump.
When coming out of a slump, I try and avoid anything that can take me back there, and that includes doomscrolling, A healthy relationship with social media is a resolution I’ve tried to maintain with myself for a long time. If you’re the same, I recommend timers on apps, alternating days on social media with 3 no media or media-free days a week. I also reccomend unfollowing accounts that your keeping up with for keeping up sake. If you need permission, this is it. You can let go of those lives and nothing will change.
Instead, spend more time loving and holding the lives around you. The lives you see and meet everyday - work, friends, post work activities, your own self. They all deserve presence. Unconditional and loving.
Spending time in nature
A no brainer. There are N number of studies that talk about the calming effects of nature on the nervous system and our mental health. Trees literally feel like stationary hugs waiting to nourish and nurture you whenever you need them to. I’ve been an introvert at heart, always, and sitting under a tree, feeling and processing my feelings, writing about them, watching the sun go down, is genuinely one of the most therapeutic ways for me to get out of a slump. Not only that, the wind and the sky and the rain are so energising!
If you’re feeling any kind of way and need equilibrium, a tree can be your best friend if you let it.
Movement and Spirituality
Movement is quite literally your energy in motion. A slump is often as physical as it is energetic. Moving your body is one of the quickest ways to get out of whatever energetic block you are feeling. I say spirituality and movement together because for me, they are both intertwined. Movement is sacred. So is spirituality. Often, movement might not be physical, but more energetic. I have been a long time practitioner of EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). This technique focuses on tapping the 12 meridian points of the body to relieve symptoms of a negative experience or emotion.
If you’ve never heard of EFT, the link above is a good place to start. And after that, Youtube can be your go to for all tutorials! If you have qustions, I am always available to answer them x You can reach out to me in the comments section.
My Currents
I have compiled a list of my current reads, listens and social media pages to direct you to resources that you can use in case you’re ever feeling not your best, most creative and productive self.
My favourite and current reads:
Shivani Sen, To the Homes that We Are
Pat Allwright, Basics of Buddhism
Bessel Van Der Kolk, The Body Keeps Score
My favourite and current Listens
Tam Kaur, Self Obsessed Podcast
My current favourite social media page
8/101 Days of Prayer
And finally, as always, leaving you a little lighter, with a prayer.
