Loss of creativity

Post Reply New Topic

Hi. Before, I was good at making up stuff when I did school assignments like making short stories or reflect, but now it is a lot harder for me. Why is this happening? Is it normal? Is there any way I can get it back?

Thank you for answering.

Hello. I think it's normal, but it's hard to get back. I reckon in the process of growing up society kind of closes in on us and inflicts us with all these conventions about what we should write about, what forms of writing are acceptable, what styles of writing are generally accepted or approved of, and it kind of paralyzes our creativity.

When we're kids we can write any crazy amazing thing, that doesn't have to make real sense, or fit into any accepted form or style of writing, and we are acknowledged for it. And it's fun.

If you're stuck for ideas, try googling around for creative writing ideas and just pick some ideas to do purely to have fun. It might loosen you up a bit.

You might try spending some time with a special interest, even though it may seem that it has absolutely nothing to do with what you where you want to go creatively.

I would not worry about it yet. I've been a commercial artist for 39 years in one form or another. My creativity come and goes. As a commercial artist, you get told what to do a lot of times and it just becomes work. And, when it comes back, it's better.

When it wanes is when my special interests have shifted more to problem solving interests. It also either spikes or wanes with stress. Certain types of stress will cause it to just bubble out and other types shut me down.

The technical skill will slide a bit during those times that you're not working.

This happened to me. I used to write stories for hours every day but one day a family member said homework is more important and me being stubborn decided to stop writing again, thinking he would take it back.

He never took back what he said. but I cant write as well anymore lol. Probably because I don't practice anymore.

That's how it's been for me. As a kid and teenager I was always writing stories and coming up with ideas for more stories. I didn't have time to write them all because there were so many stories I wanted to tell. I had so many books with stories I started, and books where I jotted down ideas so I wouldn't forget them while I wrote the ones I was already into. Quite a few were never finished.

Then I turned 20, and it was like a switch was flipped. I can count on one hand the stories I have written since. I have no idea why it happened, I didn't lose interest, I just lost my edge, my vivid imagination, my constant desire (almost need) to write. If there is a way to restart it, I haven't found it. At times I really miss writing my stories.

Iounf Jean Houston insight into creativity very useful

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Houston