How to get out of a creative rut

I find myself back in a creative moment. I am actively creating. I’m gardening, growing a profuse amount of plants in my tiny garden space. Shall I just list them? Does anyone care to know? Well I’m not one to turn down any opportunity to talk about my children. 

Right now I am successfully cultivating tomatoes, chili peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, aubergine, lots of onions, even more jasmine, garlic too, cavolo nero, mint, lemon balm, basil, thyme, hazelnuts, prunes, clementines, limes, lavender, rosemary, sage and so much lettuce I can’t keep up. Oh, I almost forgot about the three marijuana plants in my bathroom. I'm germinating some lemon seeds too, let's see how that works out.

The cold water doesn’t get warmer if you jump later

Ok I got that out, we can continue. The abundance of my garden has awakened a momentum of creation in me. I’m back in my studio as well, creating new shapes with clay. I am writing too, but you knew that already. 

It hasn’t been this way in a while. I can’t remember the last time my cup was overflowing like this, perhaps the last time the sun was out this often and the weather was this warm. That’s the thing, I can’t really tell if I am just emerging from a creative hibernation or if the seasonal depression is just wearing off. All I know for sure is that I’m glad that rut is over. 

My garden and the nature trail I discovered near my house were catalysts for this creative rebirth. I am nothing if I am not in direct communion with nature. I am of organic matter, we’re made of the same stuff as everything we now call “nature.” A word that makes something integral to who we are seem a foreign body. But yes, we are nature and nature is you. I find I am able to be the most creative and inspired when I let myself be held in mother nature’s warm embrace, when I open myself up to hearing her stern advice and loving encouragement. 

All I wish is that I remembered to reach out for her hand sooner. 

Feeling everything hurts, that hurt bleeds creative potential 

I never regret time spent with my feet bare in the grass, even if they are stung with nettle. Every experience I have outdoors is exponentially better than my indoor life. My Italian parents-in-law are appalled by it, repulsed by it. I live with windows and doors open no matter the chill they bring into my house, I can’t stand indoor air. I just layer on a wool sweater if I feel cold. When they come over they seal me up like a tinned sardine. Artificial LED lighting is one of my least favorite of humanity’s inventions, I prefer to basque in natural light - my in-laws love to blast a room full of the brightest white light you can imagine. They think I’m nuts, and perhaps I am. But I am this way because I am connected to my earth body - which has allowed for me to access deeper parts of my creativity as well. 

My senses are so sensitive, and I need to keep them that way. The extremes of sensorial perception are so painful for the feeling artist - I feel so deeply therefore your bright lights, loud music, strong perfume and synthetic fabrics are painful. Learning this about myself has led to an excavation of artistic sensibility. I used to create art from my head, now I create from deep within my core. It's a more profound place of creation, and feels completely real. Completely authentic. It doesn’t fear judgement or seek validation - it is whole and complete. 

Some advice you might not want to hear 

To anyone looking to re-ignite their creative flame, I offer you this one piece of advice - dig deeper. A journey inward that can really only be facilitated by opening yourself up to feeling everything. It’s easier said than done, but try eliminating distractions and modernity. Get into nature, despite potential bad weather. Move your body, say how you really feel. Turn off the lights and eliminate synthetic fragrance from your life. Stop eating crap also, cook yourself a meal with nourishing ingredients. Call your family or friends that feel like family - even better, go out for a drink with them. 

Take it easy, you and I both know that art is never rushed. As artists we must live life deeply so we can express our perspective. Do any or all of this and just watch how your potential for creativity exceeds your expectations. And by the way, I am just one of millions (billions?) of voices on this internet, you know what you need better than I do. 

You are incredible and the world wants to witness your talents, whatever it may be. Do us all a service and put yourself out there, ok?