The pandemic has created a really interesting conundrum for many creatives. How do you continue to create content and find creativity when you are limited in what you can do and where you can do?
Much of the content we -my husband and I- create isn’t reliant on travel but it does rely on us being able to shake up our routine. Especially the images we create which is usually just a snapshot of our day to day. We spent so much time just trying to keep our heads above water in our personal life (June, anyone?) that we are just reaching the point where we are losing creative energy. So what are we doing to bring that back? In our photos? In our day jobs? In our home projects?
I find that the same three things help me in all of those areas. And these photos are a reflection of that.
- Change Your Scenery: Some days, I work the morning in my true office, at the desk, with the double monitors. Then, I abandon ship and take calls in the afternoon from the couch. Just that slight shift in location helps to jog my brain and get it going. The same applies for the blog. For these photos, we hopped in the car and went to this neighborhood that always makes our mouth water and leaves us feeling inspired. (It always makes our must do in Raleigh list.)
- Lean into Collaboration: Collaboration over everything. As long as they are the right people, having more brains and more voices can lead to a better end product. We had the absolute joy of having some help with this shoot from three of the best people I have ever met in my life. We couldn’t have done it without them. I find that works in my day job too. If I am hitting a wall in a project, it helps to reach out to someone else even if it’s not to discuss the problem I’m having. Just stopping and hearing from someone else jogs creativity. Which brings me to my next point.
- Take a break!: I do not subscribe to The Toxic Grind. Your brain needs rest. You need rest. There’s plenty of studies that say giving your mind a diversion improves focus and problem solving. (The same applies for vacations. Take em if your company gives em!) Taking a break leads to better results. I have been trying to be better about taking breaks lately. From work on the weekends. From the house in the evenings. From the internet when I’m overwhelmed. Each time, I come back feeling inspired and ready to create.
And if all of that fails you, take to Pinterest. There is a wealth of content to fuel even the most stunted imagination. I hope you find creativity today!
XO Prepfordwife
