How do you get out of slumps? (I’m in one, as it turns out.)
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For me, the only thing that seems to work is to wait it out. Luckily, I'm just distractable enough that I forget about the slump (or get interested in something) after a few days.
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For me, I have found that it often depends on the slump. I TRY to get out of them, but it doesn't always work. So, for instance if the slump seems physical, I try to do a little activity, just a quick walk or light housework, maybe a short bike or get to the pool to just float around. If it is intellectual I try to read something stimulating. Sometimes my brain and body say, "yeah, this feels great, lets do more!" Sometimes they just won't have it. If I feel resistance, I just let myself be. It seems the body and brain know better sometimes and I have to just laze myself through it. Watch trash tv, read lighter fare, take a nap. It can take days, but eventually my brain is like "what's wrong with you, why are you watching (insert any CBS show here)? Who are you? Get off your butt and do something worthwhile, life is short!" I feel like I have incorporated a little more brainlessness into my life to avoid really deep slumps, (I have found a great love for mystery novels, just light enough to escape and witty enough to keep the brain going at low impact–they're a lot like fruit, the sugars satisfy the sweet tooth, but they actually have some nutrients) and it seems to be working to keep me from those really deep slumps I used to get. (back when I didn't have the luxury of leisure reading)
p.s. sorry if this is a (kind of) duplicate comment. I tried posting from my phone but I don't think it worked–stupid smartphones! 😉
I assume you're talking about creative slumps. I work on something else that's as unrelated to my main project as possible. I still THINK about the main project, but time away always brings fresh perspective and new ideas. And success in another project also builds confidence in my ability to complete the main one.