19 Comments
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Ludwig Keck's avatar

When I feel "stalled" I like to take a look at what others are doing. Seeing creative photos or paintings helps me orient on likely subjects and getting going again. A chat with a colleague about photography or painting is also often the inspiration to picking up a project.

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Juliette's avatar

That sounds like a successful way to go, Ludwig. Hope you're well and thank you for visiting.

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Mark Foard's avatar

I’m in a bit of a rut right now and your post has given me some food for thought. Love the photos.

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Juliette's avatar

Fantastic, Mark! I'm glad I could help offer something. Thank you for visiting and the comments!

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Jesse's avatar

I really loved this. I teach for a living and often times I am left feeling completely drained by the time I actually have time for myself. Sometimes it can be very hard to get out of that rut and back into my creative pursuits. Some days I, like you, have to force myself out the door with camera in hand. Somedays, I'm not as successful and the rut wins.

Sometimes when I'm in a rut I try to consume creative work, and it can sometimes give me the push I need to get going again. For example, I might watch a photography documentary or listen to an interview with one of my favorite photographers. Sometimes I'll watch a watercolor painting tutorial on youtube and it will light that creative fire under my ass again.

I am glad to have read about your strategies and I will add them to my toolbox. Thanks for sharing!

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Juliette's avatar

That means a lot Jesse! Thank you for visiting and your comments. I'm glad it inspired you. I used to teach and I get that drain. It leaves you with little. It becomes a dance with so many factors. I hope you can keep the balance.

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J Callender Photography's avatar

Lately, I keep reminding myself that the ebb and flow is just a natural feature of the process. Then I think about all of the natural things in the world that ebb and flow and that reminds me that it's simply a core principle of life. Rivers, foliage, clouds, temps, etc...

Nothing in the natural world can go at it's peak forever so it must mean that we can't either.

Reading this now after my 7th or so successful Aurora chase has led me to realize how Auroras are like creative individuals. I've started capturing some things to say about my experience with chasing Auoras for a future post.

Thanks for the inspiration!

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Juliette's avatar

Hi Joe, I do think a lot about nature when it comes to these things and you are right. Rocks form over years and years by the fact that they acquiesce to water. We are all changing and sometimes our rivers dry up. Glad I could help inspire and I look forward to your post about Auroras! Thanks for your comments.

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Very interesting approach Juliette. I guess it's very personal to each one of us but I like the way you explain it herel.

I do think though that creative ruts are essential for balance in our practice, we can't be creative all the time and we can't be in a permanent rut either. I think they're just gaps when creativity needs a break from us.

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Juliette's avatar

Thanks for visiting Xavi. Balance is a great word, actually. I am starting to think of it as a marathon instead of a sprint. We can take long breaks and not worry too much. And good point: creativity needs a break from us too! I love that.

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Yeah, I just think we need to let creativity be and not be too demanding with it or it'll bite us back 🤷‍♂️

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Marcel Borgstijn's avatar

Love this approach. Something to keep in mind. Thanks.

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Juliette's avatar

Thank you Marcel for your comment! Means a lot!

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Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

Being in the creative mode all the time is sort of difficult. It’s good to read about what you do Juliette… with roadblocks on the way.

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Juliette's avatar

Thank you Shital. Like Xavi said, I think creativity needs a break from us too! Thanks for visiting.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

It is interesting to read how differently creatives deal with this. Thank you for sharing your ways.

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Juliette's avatar

Thanks for reading, Susanne. I'd be curious to know how you deal with it, no pressure to respond. I respect your work a lot and just curious to know :).

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Manuela Thames's avatar

This is wonderful and I really needed this. Thank you!

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Vanessa Lowry's avatar

Reframe, rename, and retrain. All great suggestions as a way to reconnect with creative energy! And I love your b/w photos, especially the one with the superman muscle guy.

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