A Piece by Jill Signorelli
When I would get constipated, as a kid, my Mother would take me to the, local, used book store. She would park the car and say in her simple and profound manner “what do you say we just look around awhile”? After some time of scanning titles, reading introductions and growing to love that stale smell of settled dust with a hint of mildew, I would find her. A slight tug on her sleeve and an encouraging nod toward the door would let her know I was ready to go—and I didn’t just mean home. It worked every time.
My Mother was a genius. She understood that sometimes the answer to a problem was outside the parameters of the problem and we would have to dance, just there, to find a solution. This is not a piece about constipation, though. I apologize if I misled you. This is a piece about blocks to our creativity and why it’s such a living nightmare when it happens. I will also be promoting my Raven Soul Shop bath bomb called Writers Block.
Writers Block is the most common term to describe when a writer cannot find words. I think Writers Block applies to all artists though. It should just be Creative Block. It’s a dark time and shadows over us in just a second. Its arrival has no warning and it’s an indescribable starvation for the very thing that keeps artist’s places in this world—creating. Many of us have and will suffer, again, from this. You may be a musician sitting in front of keys staring into the great nothing with no music in your mind. Perhaps, you’re a painter holding a dripping paintbrush internally screaming for help from the blank canvas in front of you. Or maybe you’re a crafter surrounded by bits of wood and glue without an idea on how to go forward.
You’re an artist and you are designed to create because that’s how you leave your mark in the world and evoke emotions. Your art is what you have to give. So, it’s heartbreaking when it hides. I totally understand. I know how deep and low those thoughts can go.
Why does this happen? Well, one reason may be that perfectionism ingrained. If you hold yourself to the standards of previous perfect pieces of work and the future may not shore up. Fears like this build momentum, especially if you receive many compliments on a previous piece. While someone goes on and on with words such as “You know that piece really spoke to me and it’s the greatest one yet. I truly loved it” your inner voice may be saying “you reached a height no longer achievable. You will never be as great as you were when you created that”. That’s just the beginning and then the full on adrenaline kicks in. You may become agitated and resentful to those who are currently creating or to those who are not creative at all, in that case the Creative Block would pump inadequacy through your mind “wouldn’t it be nice to be normal?”
You may also be spending too much time with the project. Because I am a true believer that art is alive, I also believe that a piece has characteristics of a being. That piece may just be getting on your nerves. You don’t want to be rude so you have manifested your frustration into a silence, hence the block.
If you are, currently suffering from Creative Block consider my wise Mother’s approach and go “look around awhile”. Politely inform the piece that you will be back later and this is not abandonment. Then, walk away. I suggest you then find another location. I prefer a long walk, re-organizing my closet, or just standing at the sink washing my dishes. There have been so many times that I’ve grabbed a pen, my hands dripping suds because a new story idea just hit me. You just may get flashes of your creativity brightly finding you again, once you are occupied with something else. It’s one of the reasons I really don’t mind bartending. While mixing a drink or restocking bottles, I often pull a pad of paper from my apron to jot down the voice of a new story, that’s whispering in my ear.
Another great relief is my Writers Block bath bomb on my site. I chose Raven blend essential oil for the obvious reason. If you didn’t catch that my product line is called Raven Soul Shop. Raven is a blend with Ravintsara, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Lemon and Wintergreen essential oils that enhance and nourish creativity through their aromatherapy. Personally, I soak with this bomb about once a month. My strategy is to stay ahead of the lull monster that wants to silence my rhythm. However, I believe it would benefit you greatly if you find yourself in a block now. It releases a sweet and fresh aroma as it fizzes and really clears my mind of cluttered anxiety.
I love all artists. I encourage all artists. Even though Raven Soul Shop is good stuff for all people, tonight’s piece is totally built around artists and my ultimate desire to share this helpful bath bomb with you.
Be sure to check out Writers Block and all other lotion and bath products at www.ravensoulshop.com
Go ahead…have a wonderful life