Is anyone really struggling to find motivation as the pandemic and utter horridness continues?
I really hate being negative but in the last few months I have not created any work recently finding it really hard to find meaning and motivation. Does anyone else is going through this? What do you do to combat this?
Replies26
- I can't recomend stoic philosophy enough. Getting the daily stoic book was a game changer for me when I went through a really time a few years ago. https://dailystoic.com/It's all about calming the storm within yourself, whilst you wait for the storm around you to pass.Which has really helped me maintain constant motivation through out 2020 and 2021.Because it's about not getting sucked into the world around you, but focusing only on the things you can personally have control of and change every day.
- @Chris Nuelle I’m definitely going to use the phrase life-meltdown sabbatical! Thanks for sharing your thoughts !
- Hi Gabriella, You are definitely not alone. I think that ebbs and flows in motivation are normal even outside this craziness. Also Jan can be a tough month with all the darkness. When my motivation is low I like to take a step back and enjoy some great work from others whether that be a good film/TV series or podcast. Awesome art projects I can find online etc. That always reminds me of what I enjoy in my job and helps me get back on the horse so-to-speak.
- Think about what you can do and what you love to do. To encourage your motivation, it is proven that spending time outdoors is highly beneficial, maybe plan a daily walk through the park or around your local area. For myself I have found taking Vit D daily really helps maintain my positivity levels. Other ideas to consider are engaging with new and existing groups on socials, chat to your peers and find out what they are up to. Seek out opportunities to apply your skills either to evolve your portfolio or simply just in the spirit of creating art.
- Oh Yes big time.I try not to worry about it- whats going on will effect your energy and creative positivity (in my opinion)Go for a walk. Read books and watch films.All will be well. Dont worry!
- Completely! Creative block is a real thing. I find "Keep Going" By Austin Kleon really helpful for combatting creative block.Linked it for you here: https://austinkleon.com/keepgoing/
- It's always ups and downs for me. Even before the pandemic I had trouble staying motivated and would do some work I was proud of before losing my focus for a couple months. However, I found that it always comes back.I was due to shoot a short film last March when we went into lockdown. I was annoyed but the frustration fueled me to shoot it in July once things calmed down. This led to me writing a new script which I now cant find the energy to go back and edit/revise. It sucks as I want to move it forward but I just trust it will come to be eventually!One last point worth noting is that this is a difficult time for everyone, whether you're on the front lines or comfortably able to work from home. It's going to be a while before we're back to 'normal' and it's ok to feel down and lack energy, I've certainly had my off days (or weeks) over the past year! To battle this, I try not to spend too much time on social media and watch lots of movies!Hope you get your motivation back soon!
- God yeah. I've had at least 3 or 4 day-week long meltdowns of not being able to get out of the hole of hopelessness.I do think to myself though that this is ok, through the pandemic and any phase of life. We could all do with being better friends to ourselves and just letting yourself feel ok with just having a little life-meltdown sabbatical every now and then. Forceful positivity can be more guilt inducing and self-punishing than just letting yourself succumb to an understandable and rightful bit of sadness.I find the less I focus on blaming myself for the dip, the sooner i become creatively more alive.
- 100% It's been very difficult to motivate myself. One thing I've been doing lately to try to help is scheduling little things into my calendar, like time to learn a skill or practice something, time for exercise, and most importantly time for self care. I try to set really really achievable goals so if I can actually achieve an hour of something, I'll only aim for 10 minutes. Having a structure generally helps me but if I'm really not feeling it, I try my best not to feel guilty if I need a day to chill and de-stress. Another thing that helps is taking social media breaks now and then and avoiding the news, as it can get overwhelming.
- Honestly Thank you everyone for replying I did not expect such elaborate answers!! It honestly made me feel so much better and honesly more motivated to try new ways to express myself creatively !!!
- Dear Gabriella, forget about being creative in the usual way: these are times that require to readjust our priorities. Self-preservation, self-love and self-care are the most important activites right now. Redescover what's important for You and You alone, and set to create it. It's just a temporary time, and the things You discover and do now, will serve You when You'll get on the other side. Drop me a message, if You feel like doing so. Best wishes, Luna x
- Oh gosh yes, I start off my week with like yeah I'm going to get up early and do so much, by Wednesday I'm like I can give myself another half hour lay in right? - Turns out to be more like 12pm (not good)
- oh yes.... procastination is off the chart.... we need to be find with ourselves, its really challenging
- Hey Gabriella,I lost my mojo last November and the first thing I told myself was that it was okay. How can we not feel all sorts of weird things when we're going through such weird things?!The second thing I told myself was I could fix how I was feeling - I just needed to do things a bit differently. So rather than hiding my laptop after a day's work because I was sick of endless video calls, I signed up for online events like a comedy night and a book launch (Google the stuff you usually like doing - you'll find something), and I "went" to them - I watched in a different room to where I work so I had a different setting and a different experience. And I signed up for work-related talks (there are loads listed here on The Dots). It didn't take long to feel energised and inspired again.Hope that helps,Vikki
- Hey Gabriella , I have find out that people feel a lot better when they have someone to listen to them talking about their problems. Mind is a complicated thing and when you have lots of time like now simple issues will become the most complicated inside there. So,it's really great to talk loudly about them and in that way you can have them simply in front of you and find the simple solution that they need. I am not a what they call 'life coach' but I consider myself a great listener. So, if you want to talk to someone at any moment feel free to message me to arrange a call. Have a happy 2021 :)
- Hey there, thanks for sharing and I hope anything of what I say helps.I've been in that phase and at some point I really felt very frustrated.What helped was stop resisting it. I let myself be for a few days, cry, scream, collapse, lay down. Then it all came together. I made a new plan and a new day strcuture. Incorportated different task covering topics that I love and inspire me. So even if I can't physically photograph anyone right now then I spend time studying photography and watching tutorials, this way I enrich my knowledge in the meantime. And so on and on, I set out blocks for differnt task during the day, it keeps me going, my mind active and motivated around my main work. This way it does not get dull even for a minute. I stay connected to my community and I catch up with friends regularly. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling and help yourself rise on the other side. Workout, yoga & meditation helps too.Hope you find new energy! You got this.
- Yes, I think everyone is struggling one way or another. I think the common denominator is an underlying sense of anxiety, after all this is unknown territory.I find peace in prayer and a place to leave this anxiety behind.In a way, we can grow stronger through facing this struggle, swimming against the current. My faith tells me that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.Also to pray for others, so I will pray for you. Be blessed, John
- Gabriella -- First, I would echo Jenny's advice: Don't be too hard on yourself. Don't tell yourself that you MUST be doing something creative or you MUST find a way to be motivated when the world feels like it's slipping off the rails. (We're in the middle of a slow-motion, lie-fuled, far-right coup here in the U.S., so it's easy to feel like everything is going to shit.)At the same time, I would suggest revisiting things -- writers, music, artwork, the natural world -- that have always inspired you in the past. Sometimes all it takes to recharge the batteries is recalling or re-encountering artwork or a landscape that we've always loved. (For me it's listening to Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks" and taking really long walks in Brooklyn and Manhattan, alone or -- distanced and masked -- with others. Also ... lots and lots of coffee.) Good luck, and try not to despair. You'll find the spark again. It just might not be tomorrow, or next week. But it will come.
- When it all started I became obsessed with the numbers and checked the news constantly, but I realised how bad that was and instead I tried to make the most of my family and time. However my husband is really affected and the frustration of not being able to help him drain my energy and motivation. Yoga and long walks help me to calm these feelings... and also when I finally get to draw, even if at first is hard or if I just sketch, makes me feel so much better!
- 100% I try to take things one step at a time. one day at a time. And try not to be so hard on yourself. At the end of the day we are human. You will find your spark and the drive will quickly follow.
- Yes! I feel the same way. At the beginning of the first lockdown I was still motivated and glad I had more time to myself. But now I just feel tired and its hard to be inspired for new projects if you don't have a deadline from work. I feel there is less and less inspiration as we can't see many people, go out, or travel. I am getting myself together though and will look at some photography I allready have. Also going for a walk and not beating yourself up for not being productive helps :). If you are up for a collaboration or want to do an inspirational zoom meeting, let me know :). I am up for anything that has to do with fashion, textile & prints and digital creation.
- I would be Gabriella- but I emerged from a 4 year depression about the time of the first lockdown, so I feel I have lost lots of time. I don't want to waste a moment worrying about what I can't change, all we can do is work to move forward in the best way that we can. I hadn't been out of the house for at least 2 months before the lockdown, paralysed by anxiety and self doubt. I really want to be out and about- but I'm in London so even a trip to the local shop is a big risk- so I just have lots of creative projects on. I will try to post one of them on The Dots today. Just try to achieve one small thing at a time, then rest- it's how I got through 4 years of personal lockdown.Watch something which you love- ,eat something you love.Above all else- be kind to yourself, good luck and all good wishes.
- The struggle is financially to support myself i.e. “website, rent” enjoy the down time to develop my portfolio update, although I know there might not be a need to hire designers. I don’t really have anything else to do but design, as it’s only thing keeping me sane.I find watching art documentries, hearing artists struggles gives me insights to keep me going.
- Yes..but then I realised I gotta get my stuff together, so I did
You must sign up or log in before you
add a comment.