Posted by: Emily in New Work,Process
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And I don’t mean that to sound depressing.  Let me clarify…

I am having a particularly hard time starting a new project (and instead of working on said project, here I am writing a blog post, see?)

I won’t use the term writer’s block, or artist’s block or whatever verbiage is used to describe this happenstance.  We all know what it is, and we’ve all been plagued by it at some point or another.  To me, I don’t see it as a block; some kind of proverbial dam holding back the metaphorical river of creative juices.  That implies that it’s out of your hands.  It’s too easy to say, “I can’t write now, I’m blocked!”.  You may not be able to write now, true, but it’s more likely that you plain “don’t want to” then that you’re blocked.  Creative power is YOUR creative power.  Any dam, block, handicap, lack of motivation, mental disorder, addictive behavior, fear, or just plain laziness holding you back is YOURS and yours alone.  Facing this fact, or what I see as fact, actually makes it easier to deal with.  You can’t change most things outside of yourself after all.

You with me?

Yet here I am, knowing and believing what I just expressed, unable to focus on a project that means the world to me.  This is because no matter how you define it or how well prepared you are to deal with it, it happens to us all.  And then there’s the physical world of distractions.  How does one stay-in on a Friday night to draw?  How is one capable of mentally focusing on drawing knowing that there is fun to be had right outside their door?

As I sit here, frustratedly staring at a blank sheet of paper, I can’t stop the thought going through my mind: ‘It’s a miracle anything ever gets done.’  I think about all the movies, books, shows, and artwork that I love; it’s truly miraculous that creators are able to grapple this thing and CREATE! (and thank heavens they do!)

My point in writing this post is this: If you are a creator, just know that none of us are alone with this feeling.  I say that more to comfort myself than anyone else.  However, more important than commiserating is celebrating.  For it is our duty as creators to overcome this thing and get shit done.