It’s amazing how often I get my best inspiration for solutions and articles from artists who share their problems with me. They help me become a better mentor. One of my clients confided that she lost her creative motivation and was feeling depressed. In a short period of time, with some suggestions and exercises, her passion was restored. Have you ever lost your creative motivation? I hope you’ll remember the ideas I offer in this article the next time that occurs.
In this article you’ll find signs that you’ve lost your motivation, how to restore your energy and passion, and return to the path of creative excitement.
Signs That You’ve Lost Your Creative Motivation
It’s only natural to periodically experience a loss of energy and lapse of creativity. Here are some signs that you’ve lost your creative motivation.
Do you feel envy toward artists who express their creative passion and wish you were more like them?
Do you have recurring thoughts of doing something exciting outside your comfort zone but fear stops you?
Do you feel lethargic and uninspired when you’re in your studio?
Are you complaining often and having negative thoughts about your art career?
Do you find yourself discouraged and resentful about the art world in general?
Are you spending more time trying to please others instead of doing things to please yourself?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions you’re not alone. Losing your creative motivation can be a painful situation. However, it is only temporary. You may soon find yourself on the threshold of a new powerful direction. It could be just the catalyst you need for growth and transformation.
How To Restore Creative Energy, Motivation and Passion
You could begin by asking such questions as: What brings you the most joy in your career? For me, it’s when I’m motivating others to attain their fullest potential and helping them discover a wealth of possibilities and potential within themselves and in the world. When I’m writing, coaching, or curating an exhibition, it’s very easy for me to be in a state of pure joyful self-expression. What brings you joy?
Try these ideas to ignite your potential for joyful self-expression
1. Create a Vision Board and post pictures of items that get your heart pumping and your imagination soaring.
2. Make a list of every single thing you love, are grateful for, and inspired by.
3. Visualize yourself on the cover of a leading art magazine. What wonderful achievements does the headline say you’ve accomplished?
4. Take a workshop in a new medium, for pure enjoyment, without any expectations.
5. Go to a museum or gallery that you have never visited.
6. Create some artwork using only your non-dominant hand.
7. Surround yourself with people who exude enthusiasm for life.
8. Do something that takes you outside your comfort zone.
9. Commune with nature while in a state of mindlessness.
10. Start a journal.
11. Read An Inspirational Anagram Message to Artists.
12. Stop reading and watching negative articles and programs.
13. Give yourself permission to please yourself and have your needs met.
14. Join a support group where there is a feeling of camaraderie.
15. Find a need in the world and fill it by helping a favorite charity.
16. Read about powerful creative people, past and present. Read Art Pioneers Who Are Changing The World.
17. Binge on positive Youtube videos and documentaries for a week.
18. Collect inspirational quotations and read them daily.
19. Subscribe to inspirational newsletters such as: The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS
20. Begin an aerobic exercise program to increase your levels of serotonin.
21. Replace an unhealthy diet with more nutritional foods that provide energy.
22. Give yourself time and space during this process without self-judgment, force, or the need to “fix” yourself.
23. Read Expressing Your Unique Vision As An Artist
Wonderful article Renee! When I am blocked I cook because it is another love of mine. It gives me the opportunity to be creative in a different venue. Sometimes we need a break and switching interests clears the mind, After awhile I feel refreshed, and ready to take on the paints with a vengence!
That’s a wonderful idea Lisa! They are all manifestations and expressions from the same creative source!
Renee thank you for writing this article. I’ve printed it out and have it hanging in my studio. I’ve also shared it with my art students. Thank you for motivating us and giving us the mindset and skills to achieve our best especially during the roughest times.
You’re welcome YH and Anthony and thank you for your comments. I get tremendous joy from motivating creative individuals. Best wishes, Renee
You are the best motivator !
Dear Renee
I’m an older artist and am not looking for a career at this point..I am not a wiz at the computer and have never entered an on line competition or anything like that. I am a member of NAWA but most of their activities seem to be on line. So I have not done anything with them except a random art show a year or two ago.. The members I have met are very pleasant but I don’t seem to fit. Anyway my web site was put together by one of my children with a program called dream weaver which no one I have asked knows how to user or uses any more. So I can’t change it or do anything with it.. Thats a disaster.That’s one thing .
Next which is all of your article rolled into one. I haven’t got a focus and therefore can’t go forward.. I was at the Arts Students league and got fed up with being in school so I dropped out a year and a half ago. Now I feel yes depressed and kind of useless. .When asked what are you woking on I say I’m taking a break.Maybe that was a mistake leaving the school because boring as it was I was producing something..Maybe I fall into judging myself and that has me paralyzed,
I won’t go further. You seem like a sympathetic soul so I wrote this note. Thanks for being somewhere out there
Dear Angela,
I’m glad you found my website and hope you’re finding the articles useful. I know about Dreamweaver as that was the first program I had to learn to build my first website almost 20 years ago. These days it’s much easier and quicker to build websites. My most recent one was created in an hour. Don’t view your situation as a disaster! Instead it’s an opportunity to start anew! Look into wordpress.org, wix or Squarespace.
Some advice to you and anyone else who is intimidated by technology… If you get stuck simply search for videos that will take you step by step through any technological challenge you’re facing. Or, delegate it to someone who loves to do it and wants to learn valuable lessons you have to offer. We all have special gifts to share.
About not feeling like you ‘fit’ how about checking out the Burden Gallery for mature artists or joining a senior artists group on FB or Linkedin? Read Expressing Your Unique Vision As An Artist and Nurture Your Inner Artist hopefully you’ll eventually replace those inner critical voices with self acceptance and joyful creativity.
Another article you may like is A Positive Future For Maturing Artists which also has a video.
Best regards, Renee
This was a very welcome article I came across! The first, I think, that has given me true hope that I can get out of or at least deal with the depressed mood that I’m in right now…[once again]…I tried painting yesterday after a long time away from it…I scrapped everything I tried to do…can’t seem to do much at all and fear I have lost it completely. But maybe my mistake was feeling I HAD to do something great from the get-go? and in very little time. Perhaps even sub-consciously I was trying to prove to myself how useless I am!? Anyway, I am truly glad I came across your website Renee. I love what I’ve seen upon browsing your website and feel that perhaps I can work through what I’m going through more positively. Thanks you!
Dear Lena, From what I’ve learned we never “lose” it. We simply change our perspective. Every time we approach the creative project we take a new set of thoughts, experiences and insight to the present moment. When I do anything, whether it’s creating a painting or writing an article, I remind myself to be not judge myself. Stay positive and enjoy the process — the challenges, the surprises and the miracles! I’m glad you enjoyed reading the articles on the blog and will return often. Have a blessed day, Renee
Thank you for writing an inspiring article that I needed to read right now. I have been depressed ever since the election and feel pretty hopeless about the state of our country right now.
Dear Linda, You’re not alone. I hope the ideas in the article motivate you to continue to express your full range of emotions and feelings in your artwork. Never lose hope! There are so many positive, inspired people who have good intentions to strive to improve the world. 🙂