Seven days. That's how long it's been since I've created anything. For some, seven days may not seem like a long time. But for me, seven days is traumatic. I am used to working with paper and pictures, making layouts and designs, every single day. Creating is how I express myself. It is part of my routine. It defines who I am. And more importantly, it soothes my soul. Sadly, I've lost my mojo. And I have no idea where it has gone. For the past six weeks, I've been on fire with creative ideas. The Big Picture Scrapbooking Doing It Digi class opened a new world to me. And from the moment I began working on the class projects, right up through last Tuesday, I could hardly contain all of my ideas. Unfortunately, last week the creative fire went out, and it has not been seen since.
Over the years I've discovered numerous ways to spark the creative juices. And in the past, there has always been a method to my madness: ignore the process and let it come to me. Don't force it. Don't demand it. Just let it happen. And so I decided to rely on some of my old tricks this week, hoping that something... anything... would spark the flame. Thus far, I've tried stepping away from the computer and my pictures and getting back to basics. I've performed the mundane tasks of grocery shopping, cleaning, and laundry - lots and lots of laundry. That hasn't worked. I've tried baking cookies because, once upon a time, I discovered that measuring and mixing can be inspirational (do NOT ask me how that works, because I have no idea). Sadly, inspiration was not found in the cookies either. Yesterday, I even played with the banner on my blog, thinking that maybe the process would lead to something bigger and better and maybe even inspiring. Nothing. Not a thing. No mojo. No spark. And definitely no flame.
And so today I took my camera out and decided to go for a walk. My friend, Amy, swears that taking nature pictures is the best source of inspiration to be found. I've taken her advice many times in the past, and it has worked wonders. And so I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it again.
First stop: my yard. My yard is boring. I don't have a green thumb, and I don't enjoy digging in the dirt. I do, however, like flowers. If I had my way, I'd live in a house surrounded by acres of flowers, with an on-site gardener to tend to the care and keeping of the blooms. Alas, no gardener lives here. And so the only flowers to be found are on a lilac bush located near a corner of my house. Once a year there is a splash of color in my yard. This week the lilacs began to bloom. The color is brilliant, and for a few short days, my yard won't look so dull. Of course I had to take pictures of the lilac bush.
The pictures turned out great. I was excited. In fact, I was almost inspired. But as I was downloading the pictures to my computer, I came to a startling realization - all of a sudden, I knew what had happened to my mojo: it left my soul because for the past seven days I have been consumed by television. That is the problem - I have been watching too much t.v. because everything on television is wonderful in May. All of the shows and characters that I've followed since September are concluding their stories with wild and fantastic finales. Every night for one solid week, I have gone to bed with my mind reeling from the images on the screen. Thus, there is no room left in my brain for creativity to grow.
I won't deny that I love t.v. And it would be foolish of me to proclaim that all of a sudden I have decided to give it up. No, I'm not going to do that, because I enjoy television as much as I enjoy playing with pictures and color. What this new revelation has done for me is answer the question, "where has my mojo gone?" This new bit of information has allowed me to see that intense television viewing and fabulous creative ideas do not go hand in hand. And that's okay, because now I know. Knowledge is power, and come next May I will know better than to force the issue. I will take a break and lessen the expectations I have on myself. And that's okay too, because sometimes when I step away, I am able to dig in with renewed energy and vitality when I get back to doing the things I love.
And as I looked at the pictures of my lilacs, I did feel a spark of the old flame. I have a few ideas mulling around in my mind, and maybe tomorrow they will come to the surface and I will be able to reignite the flame. I'd like to create a page filled with color that includes the pictures I took today. Maybe I will... and maybe I won't. Either way, the idea is there and I'm starting to feel inspired once again.
That's the thing about creativity - it can't be forced. But if a person looks at it in terms of making something from nothing, creativity can be approached like building a fire: all that is required is some fuel and a spark to get it going. The only time the fire has no chance at all is when it is smothered and has no oxygen. And that was my problem, I smothered my mojo by crowding it with too much television. And by doing so, I robbed my mojo of the necessary oxygen required to grow.
And thus I have learned another lesson in the journey of life. I didn't know, and now I do. That's a good thing, right?
Glad you figured out what happened to that mojo! I've gotta have mine revving up and ready to go quickly! I've got too many projects to finish to have to hunt it down.
Posted by: Heather | May 17, 2006 at 05:05 PM
Eureka!! You're totally right and that's also why so many students do so poorly in school nowadays as they're stuck to the TV or computer. I have never been the kind that could watch a show that I love on TV and scrap at the same time either. I have to do one or the other! Anyway, glad your mojo is back and love the pic of the flowers!
kip
Posted by: Kip | May 17, 2006 at 01:18 PM
I totally agree. TV saps my son's motivation so definitely can sap that of the rest of us! It's okay sometimes just to relax and not put too much pressure on yourself. It'll come. HUGS!
Posted by: Barbie | May 17, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Glad my technique worked for you! I agree that TV does really drain one's creativity. At least it's nearly all finished. I think it's interesting that by the time May comes along, watching my shows feels like a responsibility instead of an escape. I'm always glad to have them come to an end! Good luck with your mojo.
Posted by: Amy Sorensen | May 17, 2006 at 10:30 AM
This is so true. It is a concept we are also trying to teach the kiddos. Too much television inhibits a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, they are not catching on to the concept.
Posted by: Renee (momto2) | May 17, 2006 at 09:55 AM
WHOA kelly... I totally can relate. I've been having that same issue, and it's been 10 days. SO travel is a part of that... but it feels like an eternity!!!!!!
Here's to nurturing our mojos back to health...
Posted by: may | May 17, 2006 at 09:37 AM
Oh I love TV too!!! Your Mojo will come back when this week is over...mark my words! LOL
Posted by: Adrienne | May 17, 2006 at 09:32 AM
i think in addition in my case, all that TV has made me so freakin exhausted. since there is so much on at the same time, i DVR'd it all to get through it all faster but there is no way you can focus your mine creatively when you have all these plots swirling on in your head. and dang everything is so captivating and so dang emotional. i cried at the end of West Wing. i was screaming at the TV during 24. i was screaming and bawling at the TV all during GA. i am thinking just put all the creative stuff on hold during sweeps. there will be plenty of time to create genius during the off-season.
Posted by: chris jenkins | May 17, 2006 at 12:11 AM