Inspiration for the Moody Crafter

I don't think I have ever been as stressed out as I have been recently. Rather than getting lost in the bath of creativity and allowing it to soothe and cleanse me, I haven't done anything.

When I can walk past books and not read them, ignore hooks and needles that are waiting patiently for their familiar rhythm of creation, and fail to be stimulated by yarn and fabric, well, I've got knitter's block -- I've lost my mojo -- my groove has gone -- the muse has left the building...or so it seems.

I figured out that I've been letting my moods determine what I won't do. What if I allowed my mood to influence what I will do? In order to get over this hump, I needed a strategy.

Rather than throw creativity out the window during challenging times, accept its fluidity, like the fluidity of life and plan for different kinds of projects for different kinds of moods.

Gosh, I love an ah-ha moment!

If you're a moody crafter, here are a few steps to take towards welcoming creativity back into your life:

1. Make a list of several types of creative projects you enjoy. Skill level is irrelevant. This is one example of where being a "jack of all trades" could come in handy. I enjoy doodling, embroidery, sewing, knitting, crochet, writing, brainstorming, and drawing.

2. Create a mood meter chart, create your own mood ring, download a mood meter widget...any method that will allow you to to check in with how you're feeling over a period of time.

3. Much has been made of the connection between mood and food, that is, your mood can affect your food choice. Explore the connection between the projects you enjoy and your moods. For example, when I'm angry or frustrated, I like to doodle. When I'm more focused and centered, those doodles could turn into an embroidery project.

4. Organize your projects according to moods. This could be just what you need to finish up those lingering projects.

Over the next few days (or weeks) I'll share the connections I've made between my moods and projects, and experiment with organizing them. Just not today, 'cause I'm too tired.

(Photo courtesy of rick)

Comments

[Kelee Katillac]

Good ideas L'Tanya! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Pamela]

Hang in there. I flip back and forth between reading and crafting depending on moods. And if I can get hold of a novel about a crafter's life ... bonus! Or if the weeks/months pass by when I can't create, I just do one of my repetitious patterns until the creative juice starts to flow again.

[turquoizblue]

I hope you get your crafty mojo back!