nervousness woes

[kimr]

Anyone ever have this problem? I am basically a very responsible nervous person. A few weeks ago I had a lmao get lost in the mail between me and the next person in line. This sent me into a depression, not only because I had worked hard on it, but because I really like the person that started it and I felt soo responsible. I offered to restart it. Then I got a couple more lmao's. No big deal, I can usually get them done pretty fast. Then I got the flu. I am feeling better now, but every time I sit down to work on artwork I am blocked. Any good clues for hurrying up and getting into the groove? I'm really not a bad egg...just a temporary bad egg.

KIM

[JustSu]

remember the words of the gaffer - the job that's last started takes longest to finish.

basically, i have to just make myself create something. even if it's just a doodle. something, anything, that flows out of me and alters a tiny little bit of the world. make an ATC. get a coloring book. buy a new rubber stamp. see if you remember how to make snowflakes with paper folding and scissors. ask yourself if you want to feel this way forever. assuming the answer is "are you kidding, b*tch? of course not!" then remind yourself that as long as you stay on this side of the block, it will be looming before you. push on through and get it behind you!

[eenie]

[[[kim]]] i'm going through that slump right now too, but like su said, you just have to sit yourself down and get that creativity going, even if it's the tiniest of things.
also remember that people understand when life jumps up on you.. falling behind happens to the best of us (though i'd never consider myself in the best of category, so i should say the best of them http://nervousness.org/forum/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif).
take care of yourself, kim.. nervousness will always wait, make sure that your mind and body are healed.

[flea]

sometimes it takes a while for things to turn up in the mail. i have one i mailed 2 weeks ago and its MIA. although you may feel bad- it's not your fault. they take a long time too if your mailing to a different country.

[Z'anne]

Hey Kim ~

I went through the same thing last February and March. It was a killer, I couldn't do ANYTHING. I'd go into my studio and just look at things. Nothing came to me. Then I remembered about a book I got. Sounded interesting, but thought I'd never need it. Glad I have it. "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. It is a very helpful book in getting past your blockage. Check out your library and see if they have the book. If not, I recommend buying it and keeping it close, in case this situation happens again. As far as I'm concerned, nobody gets their hands on my copy.

It didn't take me very long to get back up in the saddle and start working on my art again! Good luck. This happens to EVERYONE! So you're not alone. *Big Hugs*

[victoria]

I sometimes play a mind-game on myself when I have a creative block, but its hard to explain and sounds a bit nuts.

I put aside the project as much as I can or feel I need to - just mentally, or I actually put things away that would remind me. Then I wait for a sign to tell me when to go back to it.

I usually find that something comes to mind, sometimes whole chains of event - to make whatever the project is come together. I think this works psychologically to let your subconcious mind handle the block and put the pieces together that are already there.

[kimr]

Thank you everyone for your help and encouragement. I think I have heard of "The Artist's Way" before, I am going to check that out. I am also going to try setting it aside and see if it calls to me like Victoria suggested. I hate creative block-but I am going to turn off the radio, the tv and the computer today and try and beat this one. Thanks all, you are the best!
KIM