One of the reasons why I knew I wanted to start up my own label is because I don't like being told what to do. When I'm working for someone else and helping them towards achieving their own goals, it definitely doesn't inspire me. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I don't like helping people that I love, I'll definitely admit that it makes you so much happier when you see others happy. But I just feel like I have my own goals that I want to work towards, and if I don't spend a certain amount of time each day being creative, I'll be in a crappy mood.
So you've got your own creative business and you're having one of those days? Don't panic if you can't get that design right, or you're painting out of the lines, or even worse you've spilt your dirty paint water everywhere or sewn the pattern completely wrong.
TAKE A BREATHER!
Make yourself a coffee or herbal tea (or any drink/snack that you prefer) and take a quick break. You might want to carry on soldiering on in your usual workspace/desk or you may prefer to change the scenery. Depending on what you'll feel like doing, you could maybe go for a stroll in the park which I always find helps the mind and sparks creativity. The amazing thing about working for yourself is that YOU can decide what you want to do and when you want to do it! I'm sure you've got plenty to be getting on with, so here's a list of things that I like to do. They might not all work for you, but I hope they can atleast give you a little bit of inspiration..
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1. Grab a notebook and start making lists of things you need to do, maybe things that you need to prepare for. There's always some sort of list to make and I find that it helps me feel like I'm getting things done and being organised when I'm ticking things off my lists.
2. Reply back to those emails that you've been putting off. Little things like this don't take long to do but they do make you feel productive and a little less stressed. It doesn't seem very professional when you take days to send a reply, and with technology now it's so easy to communicate with clients/suppliers any time of the day.
3. Research! If you're starting a new project or looking for ideas you can get started on creating a moodboard or collecting sources. Pinterest is a great way of doing this, and so so easy! This might lead you to having new ideas and help get that creative spark back sooner than you know it!
4. Read a book. Whether it's one that's related to what you do and educational, or a biography of a person you admire, it will help you feel relaxed and get your thinking cap on. This is something that I do a lot and at times I'll get bored and instantly just decide that I'm in the mood to be creative again.
5. If you write a blog about your work or what you do, this might be a good time to plan a new post or type up one that you've been planning but putting off. It'll make you feel like you're reaching out to your readers and customers and you'll also be doing something productive at the same time.
6. Listen to inspiring music. Words help me be creative. Song lyrics inspire me. The type of music I listen to always depends on my mood, and this varies a lot. It might not help everyone but I do think this can spark your creative thoughts and lead to new ideas.
7. Put together colour palettes. For me, colour is so effective as I still associate certain things like shapes, numbers and days of the week with their very own colour. Colour helps me with my thinking and coming up with new designs.
8. Get other things done such as cooking/cleaning etc. Yes this will not help you get your actual work done, but if you're really not in the mood then why push yourself so much? If you get other things ticked off your list then you'll feel less stressed, and you'll have more time later on to get back to being creative when you're in the mood.
9. Try a new technique. So you paint and sell your artwork on canvases? Why not paint on fabric and make a bag out of it? Or you make clothes but you've been thinking about finding a pair of embellished shoes that will go with your plain velvet skirt? Get creative and do some customising. It will get you thinking and give you new ideas. And you'll definitely learn something new!
10. Social Media. Why not spend some time refining your Facebook page or your Twitter profile? Connect with your customers on Instagram or Etsy and let them know about what you've been up to. Don't underestimate genuine conversation with people who are fans of your designs. People definitely like to know the person they are buying products from, as there is a reason they are buying handmade, unique products rather than something from the high street.
So that's my list of ideas which I hope will help you when you're not feeling very creative. Keep busy and you'll get that spark back in no time. Let me know if you guys have any other things that you like to do as I'd love to know whether other people do the same or if there's anything new that I've never tried. I hope you enjoyed this post. xo
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