Creative Stagnation is a creative rut, a dry spell, a lack of inspiration. When you really need a craft project or hobby, your brain is giving you *crickets*. At least, that’s what happens to me when I’m going through a creative rut. I’m all air between the ears.

So what is there to do about that? Some Reddit forums will tell you to just keep trying. Consistency is key. Sometimes people suggest going on Youtube and watching someone else being creative. What happens when you’re burnt out from all of that too?

This is not a post meant to help anyone or prescribe an antidote for the desert that is your brain. I’ve just been wondering what to do since I’m currently in a creative rut.

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“How are you in a rut but writing a post? That’s pretty creative and you’re just melodramatic.”

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To that I say, HRUMPH! Writing what is currently going through my brain is no biggie for me. I mean, I did tell you guys that this blog is all about what my ADHD brain is going through. Even if that means you guys have to read my random rambles about what life means and why I think birds of prey are far superior animals. 

Either way, you would be right to question why I am in a creative rut and what creativity means to me.

ADHD Hyperfixations and Perfectionism

To me, creativity is the act of making something with your hands. I love to crochet and sew. I started so many projects this year already and the spark I had then, has since fizzled out. Most of my activities and hobbies revolve around current hyperfixations, and that could realistically be the reason I’m even going through this dry spell at all.

According to the ADDA:

ADHD hyperfixation refers to a strong and prolonged interest in or focus on something. In this state, the person typically becomes oblivious to everything else. They become completely absorbed in the subject or activity at hand.

Hyperfixation typically happens with things the individual enjoys or finds fascinating. This could be a hobby, activity, TV show, person, video game, or even a specific type of food.

In a state of ADHD hyperfixation, you become oblivious to the passing of time and what’s happening around you.

I know that was a long excerpt, but it provides some clarity on why anyone experiencing a hyperfixation would feel this sense of burnout. There are ways to prevent the burnout down the road though. As my therapist has said, taking scheduled breaks can be incredibly helpful.

Of course, being a perfectionist does not help the creative process either. I struggle heavily with realizing that nothing is ever going to be perfect. It can feel like a hard pill to swallow, but someone, somewhere said:

Practice makes progress

Isn’t that the truth. Gone is the idea that practice makes perfect. Yet as a perfectionist, it can feel detrimental to my ability to create.

And,Your Point Is?

I don’t really have an answer for getting those juices flowing again. It’s just knowing that when they’re ready to, they will. I can’t force it. Something will strike my fancy again and inspire me to make something. Even the hellscape that is Instagram can be a tool for finding some inspiration.

When inspiration strikes, I can prevent death and decay of the lush forest that is my brain, by doing a few things. First, I could just listen to my therapist and take scheduled breaks. Second would be telling myself (over and over), that “practice makes progress”. Then maybe, just maybe, everything will work out just fine.