You read it right. The absolute perfect environment and mindset for getting the creative juices flowing and captured in one of the many variety of artistic mediums does not exist. I don’t care what your teacher, best friend, favorite motivational speaker told you. It does not exist.
Of course, we all have the ideal places and times of day to create, motivate ourselves, draw upon our experiences and transfer that energy into a masterpiece. Or at least, we have the belief that this place and time exists. Some of us can even affirm that on countless occasions, when the conditions were just right, we have in fact soared into “the zone” with so much fervor, what resulted was nothing less than genius.
Here’s the reality of the matter: if you become dependent on the perfect conditions to achieve greatness, you will have greatness with near to no consistency or frequency.
There is this even more troubling realization too: you’ve got your perfect spot, during the best time of day with no distractions and nothing to even worry about the following morning. And you stare at the blank canvas or page where your brilliance should be trailing along at an unimaginable speed covering every inch of the vacant space. But it’s just not. Art blocks are real and hit anyone at any time without warning or, seemingly, reason. Though there’s always a reason but that’s a later conversation.
I write about this because I recently moved from the worst living environment to one that inspires story, characters and action out of me on the daily. I have a wonderful view, relatively courteous neighbors, a clean home, food to eat and tea or wine to drink. But each day has actually turned out to be this. And as much as I have story ideas resounding every time I look out the window, I’m not as equally inclined to sit at my desk and jot out my notes. I should, but that isn’t how life really works.
Instead, I just write when I can. When the sun is shining, when its raining out, when I’m mad at my husband, when I think I should take a nap, when my favorite show just added a new season. But on those same days I might go for a walk, listen to the rain and read, try to make my husband laugh, take that nap or binge-watch that show. Every time the bell tolls doesn’t mean its tolling for my creator’s mind.
Taking time for yourself on those perfect writing days is possibly the best thing you can do. Let the guilt wash over you then let it go. Do this often enough and a healthy habit will begin to form. Because once you stop attributing a particular atmosphere for creating at your best, you can create any time, anywhere, however you wish.
When artist’s block hits, ask, “Right now, do I need to figure out why my story is at a standstill; are the characters developed well; is the plot interesting; is my world fleshed out?” Then ask yourself, “Or do I need to relax today?” Sometimes a block hits because we’re overworked and don’t recognize that the perfect writing environment might also be the perfect time to relax. recharge and re-evaluate.
And if you can only create when every last external and internal prerequisite is met, then you might need a new hobby.
SJ Wrytes 