Welcome to the second part of the Get Yourself Out of a Creative Slump Series! Today, is all about how to start out fresh when you’re getting back into your old creative hobbies. What does this mean? We’re going back to the crafting basics! We’re going to start with small, simple projects, where we can focus on our skills and rebuild our confidence. And of course, we’ll have some fun in the process! If you missed the first part of the series, you can find that post here.
Where do I start?
In the first part of this series, I talked about making time for creativity. So now that you have carved out some time, what do you do now? Do you start where you left off? Or do you take it slow, and relearn your craft? And, how do you get motivated to start? We want to avoid feeling overwhelmed, so we’re going to keep it simple and fun. This is how we get back to the crafting basics!
First, you will want to find a craft project that’s fun and easy to do. Make sure it’s something that excites you and you know you can do! You’re rebuilding your creative confidence, so now is the time to make something just for the fun of it!
Get Motivated
Are you having trouble getting motivated to start? First, find some inspiration on Pinterest or Instagram. Then, try to minimize distractions by finding a quiet spot, and turn off your phone or TV. Set up your spot so that it’s cozy and comfortable. Put on some headphones and play your favorite music. And last, get your craft supplies out and ready. This is your creative time, so do what you need to do to get in the right mindset!
Focus on Simple Crafts
For now, ignore any crafts that are too complicated. Stick to simple crafts. For example, if you enjoy sewing, now is not the time to sew a wedding dress! Instead, start with an easier sewing project, such as a circle skirt. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with anything too complicated. Keep it simple, and keep it fun! Below is a list of some simple craft ideas to help you get started:
- Draw some items from around your house, such as fruit or houseplants.
- Start an art journal.
- Practice some basic embroidery stitches.
- Sew something easy, such as a hair scrunchie.
- Purchase a craft kit from Etsy or a craft store.
- Make a beaded bracelet.
- Try a coloring book or a paint-by-number.
Take it Slow
It can be tempting to rush and get to the projects you really want to do. For now, take it slow and give yourself a chance to rebuild your skills. Take it one step at a time. This is the time to focus on fun, not get stressed out! If you start to get frustrated, then stop for the day. Come back tomorrow and try again. Don’t worry though, you’ll get back into the groove in no time!
Rebuild Your Confidence
It’s perfectly normal to have your doubts. Don’t let perfection get in your way. Remember, you have done it before, so you can do it again! Don’t let your self-doubt get the best of you. The purpose of starting small is so that you can build up confidence in your skills. So, forget about being perfect! Just have fun, keeping going, and the confidence will come back.
Make Goals for Yourself
Once you feel more confident with your skills, it’s time to take on some bigger projects. Now it’s time to think about what you really want to do! Will it be a new dress for summer? A painting of your dog? Or will it be an embroidered pillow for your couch?
Make a to-do list, then come up with few goals to help you to complete each item on your list. Once you accomplish a goal, make a new one. Use these goals to push your creativity to the next level. Keep going, you know you’ve got this!
What creative skills have you tried to relearn? Was it easy or difficult for you? Please share in the comments below!
Stay tuned for the next part of this series!
