Yesterday I was wide-eyed and full of wonder. Today? Blah, blah. My inner child didn’t want to come out and play. Lol. That’s the truth of it. Creativity flows like the tide; some days it crashes in with wild energy, and other days it drifts away, leaving me with nothing but a blank stare at the canvas.
Still, today I showed up. I started a new piece, the follow-up to yesterday’s red heels painting. It isn’t finished yet, but I’m half way there, brushstrokes marking my commitment to keep going. I’ll finish it later, maybe after a long walk to shake off the fog.
The Reality of Creative Flow
It’s easy to believe that artists are always inspired, always ready to paint with passion and vision. The truth is that creative energy rises and falls. Yesterday I was full of wonder, today I was low on spark. And that’s okay. Both are part of the journey.
Ways to Create When You’re Not in the Mood
1. Just Start Something
Pick up the brush or pencil and begin, even if you don’t feel like it. Starting small often creates momentum.
2. Shift Your Environment
If your studio feels heavy, step outside. Go for a walk, visit a garden, or sit under the sky. Fresh air is often the best reset.
3. Play, Don’t Perform
Give yourself permission to doodle, experiment, or work on something unfinished. Not everything needs to be “important.” Sometimes play revives the spark.
4. Set a Micro-Goal
Instead of “finish this painting,” try “add one new layer” or “sketch for 10 minutes.” Smaller goals feel doable, and progress counts even in tiny doses.
5. Rest Without Guilt
Sometimes the best act of creation is pausing. A nap, music, or a mindful walk may be exactly what your art needs from you today.
Closing Reflection
Day 3 went nothing like Day 2, and that’s the beauty of the process. One day is filled with excitement, the next feels like a creative yawn. But both are real, both are honest, and both are part of the bigger picture.
So, I remind myself: It’s not about being in the mood, it’s about showing up anyway, with grace, even if all I can manage is a single brushstroke. Tomorrow may feel different, but today, I’ve already begun.
Creativity isn’t about being “100%” or completing a piece in one setting all the time; it’s about showing up, even when the spark feels dim.
I’d love to hear from you:
- How do you push through the “blah days”?
- Do you rest, play, or power through until the flow returns?
Share your thoughts in the comments below; your tips might inspire another artist who needs a reminder that they’re not alone.
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Because some days we paint with fire… and some days we just show up with the brush, and both matter.
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