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Sunday, August 7, 2011

Disjointed

I feel really disjointed tonight. Nothing's wrong and I don't have a thing in the world to worry about, but I just feel like every time I try to work on one of my many projects today, a cartoon thought bubble forms over my head and all it says is "bnSKJDBKJSNF LKN lamslkdjasnd." Sort of like VidCon, when I lost my voice? I'm pushing, but nothing comes out. I don't know what's up.

Prior to opening this page and beginning today's blog post, I was editing a video. And by "editing a video," I mean to say that I was starring blankly at a giant line of video clips, flexing my toes, swinging my wand from the Harry Potter theme park, yelling "Expecto YouTubenum!" and feeling disappointed by the lack of results. It's been a while since I uploaded anything decent, and I even promised to post footage of my summer travels, but I'm having a hard time finding that... creative spark. Every video project I've started in the last two months has ended with a frustrated sigh. I mean, I feel totally silly for complaining in the slightest-- waah, it's sooo hard to play around in costumes in my free time and receive recognition and compliments for it-- but it really is hard to fake creativity. When you're not feeling it, you're not feeling it. Do any of you have advice for getting over a project slump? *Frustrated sigh.*

I'm gonna end this early tonight in an effort to buckle down and accomplish something. Hopefully, I'll break through the barrier and wake up tomorrow to filled pages and exported files. Hopefully, I won't fall asleep face-down on my keyboard with a wand imprinting into my cheek. Hopefully. Goodnight, guys!


Chipotle burritos this year: 16
Subscribers: 53,589
Miles run today: 1ish? Maybe more like half of one.

P.S. I missed the chance to update yesterday because Heather, my good friend/roommate from last school year, turned up in town without much warning, so I naturally had to devote my entire evening to giggling and clapping. We gushed about our summers (fun!), rode around on a tandem bike (like senior citizens!), and saw Friends With Benefits (...meh). I wish I had a better story for you, but frankly, it sometimes feels really good to have storyless nights. My friends are good, I feel good with them, all is good. Good.

20 comments:

Darrow said...

I dance around to my theme song, "London Bridge", and then I suddenly feel like I could make the metaphorical London Bridge (my creativity block) come down. Like Londy Londy Londy. We goin' down like Londy Londy Londy.

Manar said...

Ugh. I am having a creative slump too. Um, I guess exercise always makes me feel better. Moving around just generally gives me the impression that I am actually getting something accomplished, and releases happy chemicals blah blah blah. Maybe some more running will cheer you up? :)

Hannah said...

How to get out of a creative slump: stop thinking about it. Just stop thinking "I have to do this" or "I need to be creative now". Just distract yourself -- maybe go for a run, listen to some music, or watch some tv. I've been watching So You Think You Can Dance...and this season is just crazyamazing. I always feel good after watching it, too. It always makes me want to dance. And sometimes I do. And then I look in a mirror. And laugh at my lack of coordination.

Jessica Rohan said...

Sometimes I find that when I've spent too much time "consuming" (i.e. reading, watching shows on Hulu, eating), that I need to do something creative to sort of balance myself out. I think it works both ways. Maybe you should try reading and watching and consuming for a while to recharge your creative batteries. After all, you just got back from a pretty long trip. You could probably use some rest.

Alex Dahlberry said...

Ahh I'm going through a similar creativity slump. Honestly, I've had my leaky footage opened in final cut pro on my computer for four days and i jsut CANT think of what song to use or how to start it or just what FORMAT it shoudl all take. siiiiigh.

i wish i had advice, but i dont. if you figure anything out, please share.

Miranda said...

this might be shit advice, but it's all I got. Usually when I'm stuck on something, I know one aspect that I can work on, I just stop because I don't know what I will do next. For example, I am writing a short story and I don't know how to continue. I know what to write for the next three lines, but I don't know what comes next so I just don't bother. When I just force myself to write those three lines the rest starts to flow (sometimes).

Other than that I listen to music. Yup. That's it.

Anonymous said...

When I am in a creative slump, I read this blog called The Hayleylujah Chorus. The author is really smart and funny, and gorgeous too. But since there aren't many pictures of her on her blog, I go to her YouTube channel. Youtube.com/hayleyghoover. She inspires me to write more, to think freely, and to not be afraid of being the giant nerd I am. She's great. She really is. I think you will like her, and I hope she provides you with the inspiration you seek and has provided me.

Emma said...

When I lack creativity, I draw pictures of cupcakes with crayons until I feel inspired again. CRAYONS are COOL.

caitie jean said...

open up a harry potter book and write an erotic fanfic about the first two characters you see. or you could blow bubbles and do a jigsaw puzzle. naps are helpful as well.

Bridget said...

During those times I tend to stay away from whatever I'm struggling with. Just put it down, go outside, read a book, watch a movie -- anything you find entertaining. Then after all the excitement I just feel really motivated to get back to work. Don't know if that will work for you, but it's worth a shot, right? :)

Emma said...

thanks to you, I ran my first run of my summer yesterday! I ran for just under 13 minutes, which isn't too bad to start off with! I'm now determined to get into shape for school!
as for the creative slump, I always go watch youtube videos or listen to music which I like/find inspiring :) photography also helps!
Emma x

Jude Cyberstar said...

I've been there. Writer's Block. A friend of mine called it the blood clot in your garden hose. Which makes it sound worse than just a deadbeat creative spark. But it is what it is. Either you keep giving and giving and giving creative endeavors, or you took a break and can't get back into the swing of things.

Currently, I've taken to getting over it by absorbing myself in Minecraft. Which I'd recommend, if you never want to see the outside world again.

The best way to get out of a creative slump, however, despite my best efforts, (and those of a few others, I'm sure) is to just do something creative. Force yourself through the slump until you grab hold of solid ground.

I recommend taking markers (or preferred coloring utensil) and paper, and tell yourself it doesn't matter what this comes out as, it's going to suck, but draw anyway. Fill the entire page with as many colors as you can. Then take a step back and see that it doesn't suck so bad. Stick it on your fridge to remind you every time you get in these slumps that you have your own permission to suck, and it won't ever be as bad as you think it will, but more importantly, you'll get hold of your creative spark again. You'll find better ways of filling that page with those colors, and you'll figure out how to edit videos again, or whatever else you set your mind to.

Dave said...

"bnSKJDBKJSNF LKN lamslkdjasnd." I feel like when bloggers do this, each character is not randomly selected because there are no instances of "asdf." So, Hayley, did you mash this one out?

Jodi Butler said...

I'm sure you've gotten about 1000 pieces of advice for getting out of a creative slump, but I'll share some things that help me.

1) Going for a walk in a park. There's a really nice park near my house with trees and a pond and wildlife, and I find nature so soothing and inspiring. It really helps me. Even just to sit on a bench and watch it for a while. Nothing else seems to matter then.

2) When it's a writing slump, I find forcing myself to do it helps me. It's tough to do, and I don't know a quick way to do it for videos, but for writing I will flip to a random page of a book, take the first sentence I see, and start writing from that.

It sounds like you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself, which probably doesn't help either. So, distract yourself, or do something fun. Find a way to make the project seem more fun and less intimidating.

I hope that helps. :)

Ben Cracknell said...

Normally, when I have that, "iuwdijsak`W!!HISJSIOAIOD" feeling in my head, it is because I am straining myself to do either too much of something or just something I'm not *that* into.

I felt this way about making videos for a long time. I was just... I don't know... Exasperated when I had to set up the camera, make sure I was in shot, record and re-record the parts that didn't work, edit the footage and upload for what felt like hours. It just wasn't fun anymore, and I couldn't think of how I wanted to execute my ideas, so I thought about it, and I realised that I was putting energy into something that I didn't feel deserved it. I love writing, and I love blogging, and other things--like pointless school work, video making, video watching, Tumbling--were taking up the time I wanted to dedicate to things I am strongly passionate about--like blogging, writing, reading and Harry Potter-ing. I realised that I needed to let go of that which didn't elate me anymore so I could focus all of my energy into the things that I love the most. The process of elimination.

I'm not saying that your problem is similar to mine. Everyone has a different way of working, and different reasons for feeling blaah, but, I don't know, maybe you'll resinate with something I've said?

Hope you find someone's comment useful!

Craft Teach Repeat said...

I loved Friends With Benefits. I laughed so hard.
I always have a hard time with creativity. The worst is when you have to be creative but can't find any good ideas.
Health wise, I went for the longest 2 hour walk ever and felt great!

Carrie said...

If I need inspiration I go to a public place. Like Walmart or a coffee shop and I people watch. I KNOW it is crazy creepy but it helps and is interesting. But I understand what you mean when you are trying to push out something creative and you just can't get it to work! Hopefully this helps and YAY for friends :)

clairechiisan said...

I think when you're in a 'creative slump', you should just stop what you're doing and do something relaxing. Take a bath or a nap. I know that if I'm feeling like that and I'm trying hopelessly to push forward it doesn't help because my mind is just crammed full of stress. Take some time to feel nothing at all (or very little- gotta remember who I'm talking to). If you still feel the same, it might take a while longer to relax; usually I'll just watch a lot of films or do things that require little effort on my behalf. Basically, be lazy for a while.
Hopefully after that you'll feel more refreshed.

Dean Tea said...

I agree with what Jessica Rohan said above about consuming. I find that I'm always drawing inspiration and creativity from the creations of others.

For example, I've just drawn some inspiration from this really great passage I came across on stubmleupon, and I thought you would like it. I bet you, and a lot of your readers can relate to it. It's called "Date a girl who reads".

http://themonicabird.com/post/3273155431/date-a-girl-who-reads-date-a-girl-who-spends-her

I liked it because it describes the girl I'm searching for. Maybe you and some of your female readers will like it for the fact that it gives a sense that someone is searching for someone like them.

Keep up the good blogging!

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