This is the last part of the Battle with Creative Anxiety series. In the previous posts, I shared with you how I got over the creative lows and blockages many times by using the just finish it and two-minutes tricks. If you haven’t read them, have a read now, so you will get the most out of this last post of the series.

When you have tried the two-minutes creative play in the last few days, for some strange reason, there is still no new creative idea. Instead of spiral down further on your own, it is time to put yourself out there to help others to help you.

I don’t know how to put this trick in a form of instructional guide, so let me share a couple of examples to demonstrate the power of it.

Example one: Entertain the children

When I was kid-sitting two energetic 7,8 year-olds, I got tired running around with them for a while (I am no spring chicken anymore! LOL) and just wanted to rest.

I tried to get them to sit down and draw, so I picked up a balloon from the floor and start drawing the usual stuff I alway draw, some flowers, trees, mushrooms etc., then I ran out of ideas!! That’s only after a few doodle, very unlike me.

It wasn’t a great moment for me, instead of leaving it unfinished, I ask the kids to tell me what to draw on the balloon, so that I can finish it (trick number 1)

As they were running around the dining table, yelling out crazy things to be added on to the balloon, e.g. raining tacos, hands tree, chocolate hot-spring. I happily obliged.

Kids really do have the most vivid imaginations!!

The end result is a well-rested aunt and two kids playing with this cool balloon. (See video below)

It was such a fun activity for them and for me (mostly for me really). The doodling ideas started flowing again. Honestly, like the chocolate hot-spring, silly doodle ideas never stopped since.

Example two: Out of wrapping paper

One evening, my dad was about to leave for a wedding reception, he suddenly realised the gift for the happy couple had not been wrapped up and there is no wrapping paper large enough for the box at home. Out of nowhere, I said with confidence, “Oh, don’t worry, let me draw something on it real quick.” and that’s exactly what I did, I got my trusty marker and went for it.

I was short on time, so I have to focus and completely ignored the fact that dad was watching. My biggest fear at the time was people watching me draw. This fear is still there, but it gotten way weaker after this cardboard box drawing saga.

Are these ground breaking drawings? No, they are not even my best drawings. Yet, these simple acts of putting myself in uncomfortable situations (i.e. asking for help and let people watch me draw) sometime is the best way to regain trust in our creative ability.

Ok, I admit, this is not really a trick per se, it is more a commitment to myself. Not to be ashamed to admit I am facing a creative block and seek inspiration from other creatives beings (kids, other artists etc). Also, be the supportive human being to others in need of encouragement to stay on course (whatever their pursuits are).

This is it, peeps, the last of my 3 part series of battle with creative anxiety. I hope you find it helpful and if there are other tricks that work for you, please add it to the comments below, I would like to hear about it.

- With Love, Vienna