Ride the Wave! - What to do when you are in a creative rut + PODCAST LAUNCH!
The other day I wrote this post on my social media accounts…
I go through waves of feeling inspired and then feeling like there’s so much competition out there that I just say, “fuck it, why even try”.
I’m sitting here going through super old vlog footage from my white sands production last year and I’m nostalgic for ALL OF IT. that was the first time in a long time that I felt inspired, and motivated to create something for myself that I was proud of (photographically speaking). me and Connie set up “auditions” for the models, went through their portfolios, met with the chosen 5 to go over wardrobe, hair and make-up, got a rental car, made a million and one sandwiches for the girls, created thank you gift bags and drove a total of 7 hours, after shooting a 3 hour session in the sun and almost getting arrested (well not really, but the park rangers tried to come at me lol) and let me tell you...I was tired, exhausted, overwhelmed and so so damn HAPPY. seeing all my hard work pay off, all the hours I spent turning my small vision of being obsessed with festival season and wanting to create something so majestic was worth the stress and the anxiety of trying to figure out how to make it happen.
I don’t think there’s a point to this caption other than my inner thoughts at midnight, and this photo I found of me during a session shooting a summer concert.
if you take anything away from reading this, just make sure to pursue your passions and fuck what that little voice of doubt says, and ride that wave of inspiration when it comes...because it’s powerful and beautiful 💗
A lot of people reached out saying how they needed to hear it and how they are currently/or have gone through the same thing; and it got me thinking how we aren’t always “ON”. As a creative or anyone in general we go through waves of inspiration and then times of literal and physical pain because we have nothing to give, nothing to put out and it is as if our talent simply disappears without warning. I mean how disrespectful is that, you know.
Many of you who know me, know that I am both a writer and a photographer, and usual in some sort of creative pursuit to make something meaningful happen within my craft and passion, but every once in a while I just off. I find myself doubting every little thing I do. I scroll through social media seeing these talented photographers literally killing the game, doing something I wish I did, or simply saying fuck…I thought I was the only one who had that idea. Then I go into my head and it becomes a spiral of self-sabotage. Like, I might as well just sell all my shit and give up. Or I will see posts from other writers and poets, thinking how amazing they are and how many followers or likes they have on a post, like damn do I even know how to write or capture my feelings in a way that will help others. It is so disheartening and discouraging to go through those waves.
BUT YOU KNOW WHAT…we ALL go through them, I do multiple times a year and it is perfectly OK. In my case, those to creative fields are so oversaturated, and overwhelming to be honest.
So here are a few things I do to help me block out my doubt and uncertainty
+ trigger my creative sparks.
1. UNPLUG
Hop off social media for a while, taking a break from obsessing over what other people are doing can be good for your mind and spirit.
I am completely guilty of worrying about other people are posting, and when I feel myself seeing their work and being jealous and comparing myself, my level, and my craft to theirs…
that is when I know it is time to take a break. And if you absolutely cannot stay off Instagram or Facebook because you use it for business purposes then unfollow the people that make you feel less than. This will help refocus on you and you alone.
2. CHANGE IT UP
This will do wonders for your inspiration. Sometimes getting out of your routine, your safe space and out of your head will help you see things in a different light. If you are a photographer, take your camera with you on a walk, go to a random city you’ve never been to and explore, or even go to a nearby park and soak up the atmosphere. You would be surprised what you can see through your lens. If you are a writer and typically write from home on your couch, go to a coffee shop (I am super biased about this one) and sit there for a couple of hours and drink some coffee and let your mind relax, or go hang out with friends, meet new people and have genuine conversations. Sometimes our greatest pieces of writing come from the experiences of others and if you take time to listen to what someone has to say, something might click. Make sure to always have pen and paper with you while you are out. Either way, a change of location or time of the day when you write can spark something in you that you wouldn’t have otherwise thought about.
3. CREATE IT
Like I mentioned in my post above, the inspiration isn’t always there. Creativity is a muscle that you need to train on the daily. Is there a project you have always wanted to pursue, or an idea that keeps popping in your head that you just cannot shake? If you are agreeing with that question... why the hell haven’t you pursued it?! If you are nervous about pursuing it because you are scared of what people will think, or because you think it’s too out of the box and weird. Let me give you a piece of advice…are you ready for this…it is super simple…here it is
WHO GIVES A DAMN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK, JUST DO IT…AND DO IT NOW!
The best part about having an idea is the pursuit of making it happen, and if it makes you happy and it is something you have wanted to do it for a while now then GO FOR IT! You are going to ignite this light in yourself and trust me through it all you are going to shine, even if it is for yourself. That’s the thing about us creatives, when we have sparks of passion projects the best thing you can do it be passionate and creative for YOURSELF. Some people won’t understand it or like it, and who cares…it makes you happy, you know why you pursued it and it makes you feel special.
Creativity isn’t always sparked by the normal. Last year when I pursued my White Sands Production it came to me super unexpected. I have always been obsessed with festival season and specifically Coachella, because I mean come on who doesn’t love Coachella. It was more so the fact that this is the only time of year that I get into the fashion of the season, and I am NOT the fashionista type at all but I have always admired the fearless attire and creativity expressed through those outfits they wore and the atmosphere it created. So, I said fuck it I’m going to recreate this in my vision and LET ME TELL YOU, that was so much work trying to figure out how to make it happen. From start to finish I loved every damn moment of it, and you know what the best part was…I did it for no one but myself, I didn’t get paid for that work, I put more money into that passion project than any other photoshoot I have ever done BUT I was recharged and the happiest I had ever been behind the lens. SO, what is something you love, what inspires you that is outside of your normal passion realm? Find that, pursue that and create that in your own vision, I promise you will not be disappointed.
WHITE SANDS PRODUCTION FAVORITES - 2017
Those are my top three tips when I can’t seem to be inspired. If you are reading this and still having a tough time trying to wrap your head around all of this then let me know. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, if I have been friends with you forever or if I don’t even know you, I am here for you. Leave me a comment and let me know what you are going through. I will be a listening ear or a friendly word of inspiration. Just know that it is okay to be in a season of downtime, you will find the inspiration to keep pushing and when it comes RIDE THAT DAMN WAVE!
SPEAKING OF RIDING THE WAVE!!! GUESS WHO HAS A PODCAST!
I decided to randomly record my first podcast, I was super excited and simply started talking about what was on my mind about this particular blog post, so if you don't have time to read this, you can plug in some headphones and listen to it below. Or head over to my podcast home page and listen to it HERE. I got a little ahead of myself and ended up not recording an intro but hey, it is only the first episode, its a learning process.I am really excited about doing this and it will be a weekly thing.
♥️ PN Productions The Podcast ♥️
is a platform for creatives, and inspiring minds alike. Let’s talk about what inspires you, how to find yourself again, regaining your strength, and following your passions unapologetically and whole heartedly. Each week we will hit topics about writing, photography, travel, and whatever else comes to mind, because when inspiration hits you have to ride that wave! I am so glad you’re here, grab yourself a cup of coffee and let’s chat. Thanks for listening .