Defeating “Mehh”: Unleashing Creativity No Matter What

I go through this periodically. Where I just don’t want to write. I don’t want to think. I don’t want to be creative. It feels as though the weather or my sleep schedule has thrown me into days upon days of “mehhh”. Everyone goes through this. It’s a regular cycle of life that has to do with what you’re eating, or what you’re not. What you’re doing, or what you aren’t. And it all comes down to one important fact. That if you want to get the work done, you have to do the work. 


Embracing the Resistance: 

The first step in overcoming a lack of energy is acknowledging it. Accept that resistance is a natural part of the creative process. Energy ebbs and flows and instead of viewing it as a hindrance, see it as a signal you may need to take a break or you may need a shift in perspective.


Understanding the Source: 

Think about the possible sources of your resistance. Is it burnout, lack of inspiration, or something external like stress or a lack of sleep? Identifying the root cause allows you to address it effectively.


Fuel Creativity: 

Creativity requires fuel, and that fuel often comes in the form of inspiration. Seek out sources of inspiration. A walk in nature, reading a book or listening to a podcast. Engage in something different. Sometimes in order to break out of a funk we need to break out of our routine.


Small Steps Create Big Impacts:

Break down tasks into smaller more manageable steps. “Mehhh” can also come from task paralysis. When something seems too large and overwhelming, we may not even realize that we are avoiding it for that reason. By focusing on one small task at a time, you create a sense of accomplishment that will propel you forward. 


Creating A Ritual:

Establishing a creative ritual can signal to your brain that it’s time to shift into a creative mode. This could be a playlist, a workspace set up or even a short mindfulness


exercise. By way of habit, these rituals could actually fuel your creativity.


Consistency: 

Consistency is a powerful force in breaking through the resistance. Even on the most “Mehhh” days, commit to a small and consistent effort. Consistency builds momentum and this all piles up and pushes you forward. 


Overall embrace yourself and your habits. Know who you are, what works, what doesn’t and keep implementing strategies to overcome the ebb and embrace the flow. Remember that the most significant breakthroughs often occur on the other side of resistance. 


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