Summer Slump? {and what to do about it}

Happy Friday and weekend on the way.  Do any of you have a longer weekend with the upcoming holiday?

I wanted to talk a little bit about a creative block, summer slump….whatever you may have heard it called or experienced.  Every creative person no matter who you are has experienced one of these “dry spells”.  And, I’m here to tell you…it is fine!

It’s so easy to get down on yourself about not feeling creative when, by just taking a peek at Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, it is easy to see how productive everyone around you is being.  You need to know that every one of us has these moments.  It just doesn’t make for a very interesting blog or social media post! =)

I think one of the most overlooked parts of being creative is the “be still” part.  How many of us have created our best work when we weren’t feeling it?  Of course we haven’t!  When you don’t feel like making, when nothing wants to be created…just don’t.  Step back, take time to do something else, relax, enjoy…and just be….and don’t compare!

For me, I tend to have pretty low key summers and can go weeks without sewing.  I spend this time with my girls while they are home from school, we hit the pool, we get snow cones, we take time.  Once the school year rolls around, I am ready to get back in that sewing room.  Another thing to note is that I very rarely spend a whole day sewing.  I am very much a morning and early afternoon sewist.

I would encourage you not to view these less productive times in your life as failing or being less than.  I hear ladies so often getting down on themselves for this.  Rather, it is our mind telling us we need to step back a minute and focus on something different.

So, aside from slowing down and stepping back what are some other helpful suggestions when we want to regain our sewing mojo.

1. Try a little bit of evening hand work.  This slower paced activity to wind down with might be just the thing.  Hand quilting, English paper piecing, or embroidery are all relaxing activities.
2. Spend intentional time away from your sewing area.
3. Take some time off of social media.  Do this especially if you find yourself comparing your work (or lack thereof) to others.
4. Finish up some WIP’s.  It’s possible that your lack of sewing mojo is guilt about unfinished projects.  Check some of them off your list and you might be ready to go.

I hope some of this information is helpful.  My main point is, if you aren’t feeling it, that’s okay…give yourself permission to get out of your sewing room.  I promise you the creativity will come back once your mind has had a chance to step back.

Have a beautiful weekend!