Following on from yesterday’s post about creative problem solving, sometimes the creative process stalls a bit. What do you do when you’re working on making/designing something, and you get a bit stuck? You don’t know what to do next, or you don’t know how to move past the point you’re at.
If I’m stuck on something, and there’s something I can’t solve, I generally think through the whole thing, and then move on. I let it percolate for some time, usually days. I’ll turn it over in my mind again, if I think of it. And then I’ll let it go again. Usually, some time later, an idea will pop into my mind, and it will solve the problem, or be a new way of looking at it, that promotes new ideas.
It seems to me that NOT thinking about it sometimes solves a problem better than if I do think about it. Sure, sometimes brainstorming works, but more often than not, not thinking about the problem will bring me more innovative ideas. Perhaps the subconscious mind is better than the conscious mind at problem solving.
How do you move past those mental blocks? Do you brainstorm? Do you not think about the problem? What helps you get going again?
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
I can relate to that but for me, my main creative block is getting stuck in the research/planning stage. At some point I have to say to myself ‘stop thinking, start doing’ even if I’m still feeling unsure. It reminds me of that quote: “I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.”
I like that quote, Kathryn! I agree – when you get stuck at the beginning, just start. When you have something down on paper/fabric etc, then you have something to work with. If it’s all still in your head, there’s nothing to work with, to improve/change etc.
Usually doing something else that requires requires focus, but not much thought helps, like house cleaning or weeding. Or looking at something from a different angle. I mean that literally – turn the rough sketch upside down, look at the back of the garment, change distance, take off my glasses so I see only the blobs of color and shape, not the detail of lines. And sometimes, a nice nap.
Great advice, Gail! Thanks. 🙂
I’m a great list maker, so everything goes on paper to begin with: what I think I want to achieve, for whom (and what do they think they want?), is this an experiment?, occasion, when, colours, fabric(s), etc. But I have certainly found as I get older than just letting the thoughts filter down does equate with a better solution than a forced answer. Oh, and you have to pretend to ignore deadlines, of course…
And I certainly agree with JustGail — doing something physical helps the brain work. Even a short walk often does the trick. I think people were designed to literally think of their feet.
Thanks for sharing how creativity works for you, Nancy. 🙂