PP 025: Dealing With Creative Funks & Feeling Invisible
You Are Not Alone & You Are Not Invisible
Do you ever get in creative funks where you lack the drive to create while feeling invisible to the world?
There are those sinister inner voices that try to convince you that your work doesn’t matter and that you can’t make a difference.
I’m pretty sure everyone goes through these phases whether they admit it or not.
This episode is me admitting this to you in hopes you don’t feel alone in the times you feel invisible as a creative or life in general.
There is light at the end of the tunnel as I’m learning that this is part of the struggle of pursuing something that’s important to you. In due time, it will be important to others as well.
It’s okay to feel this way at times, it’s natural. However, you are capable of pulling yourself out of this creative funk and pushing forward to the next phase on your creative path.
I say this because I’m pushing through one of these phases myself.
Creative Funks & Winter Blues
From mid-December through practically the month of January, I’ve been in a depressed state of mind and it’s been physically and mentally draining.
There are a lot of variables in play here:
I hurt my back leading up to Christmas and could barely move for a week (I deal with herniated discs from football)
Anxiety was taking over my life leading up to nose and throat surgery (doesn’t help when you hear 10 times that you could die)
Post surgery had me isolated and laying in a recliner for 24 hours a day
This isolation gave me ample time to get trapped in my own head
My diet was extremely off and I wasn’t able to go to the gym
Finally, the weather has just been crazy shitty and gloomy
While I still kicked out some uplifting art during this phase, every drawing carried a dark undertone which I feel was me crying out in creative pain.
Scroll through the episode artwork at PerspectivePodcast.com to see what I’m talking about.
During this stretch I felt invisible, like what I created and said through my podcast landed on blind eyes and deaf ears—the new Instagram algorithm doesn’t boost self-esteem either.
I doubted everything I was trying to build with Perspective-Collective and was even attacking my physical appearance.
Growing up I got picked on often for being chubby and those hateful voices still haunt me today. Looking in the mirror during this stretch disgusted me after no gym sessions and polluting my body with holiday shit.
This self-pity mode I was in was really self-sabotaging. I’m not saying this for your pity, I’m saying this because I realize this was a phase and I am able to climb out of this hole.
Here is what helped me.
Talking About It
Usually, an inspiring podcast, audiobook or YouTube video can snap me out of this “woe is me attitude.” Honestly, during this stretch, I could give a fuck less about these forced remedies.
The emotions were too strong and overpowering.
If you’re like me, you’d rather bottle up all your emotions as showing any type of weakness will ruin your “perceived reputation” as a badass.
I’ve come to realize I’m no badass and openly talking about the things I struggle with helps me push through these creative funks—hence the reason I started this podcast.
About 3 weeks into this state of mind, I sought out my best friend which is my wife of course. I told her I just didn’t feel like Scotty and that I’m not sure what’s going on with me.
It was relieving to share what I was going through to someone who cared, even if it didn’t change how I felt.
Next, I consulted a few close members of my mastermind group. Again I was met with encouraging words as they shared their creative funks with me.
The more I talked about it and heard other people admit they deal with this too, the better I began to feel.
Once my nose and throat were almost fully healed, I turned to my Instagram stories to show my face and share what I’d been dealing with.
This wasn’t a cry for help tactic, it was meant to let whoever the hell was watching know that they aren’t alone in these dips of depression.
I didn’t expect any responses as it was more it was therapy to get it off my chest. Surprisingly, there were waves of replies I got from strangers that deal with the same feelings of invisibility.
Your replies are what inspired this show to compile my thoughts and struggles into something more personable and transparent with you.
Sometimes Encouragers Need Encouragement
Sometimes people need to know that they matter and are making a difference.
This brings me to Diane Gibbs. She is an amazing individual who does so much for creatives whether it’s through the Design Recharge show or by teaching her design students.
She showed me the importance of how encouragers need encouragement too.
Outside of creating art, I know I exist to serve and encourage people like you. After sharing my work and receiving support from others, it showed me my potential and it’s my duty to pass that opportunity on to someone else.
It’s a powerful feeling when you know someone took a time out of their existence to reach out and let you know that what you do matters.
This is what Diane did and I think it was the final measure that pulled me out of this dark place. She first text me then called me out of nowhere on a Saturday and it really made my day.
She could’ve been a distant onlooker of my art or listener of my podcast. Instead, she lifted my spirits and shared her own creative struggles as well.
My point here is that you have the ability to boost someone’s spirits when they need it the most, whether they are a friend, family or a stranger.
[ctt template="2" link="H974b" via="no" ]You have the ability to boost someone’s spirits when they need it the most, whether they are a friend, family or a stranger.[/ctt]
Sure, your words of encouragement may land on deaf ears. I can’t tell you how many of my “heroes” I’ve sent an encouraging message to and get no reply back. Then again, you should see some of the replies I’ve gotten in return.
Sometimes encouragers need encouragement to pull themselves out of a creative slump and to not feel invisible.
If you’ve had an urge to reach out to someone, then act on your intuition and do it. I’m serious; you could make a lasting impact on someone like Diane did for me.
You’re Not Invisible
I want to force this into your head every episode, you have something to offer even though you may feel like no one is listening or watching.
You could be affecting that one person that stats and analytics fail to show. All it takes is one person at a time to make an impact.
You also have the power to impact others through encouragement. There’s enough shit going on in this world and you can be a part of the solution.
Everyone deals with creative funks and feeling invisible whether they admit it or not. You are not alone and I’m in your corner cheering you on.
If you need someone to talk to hit me up at Scotty@Perspective-Collective.com. I’m happy to listen.
Please don’t give up pursuing something that’s important to you. You are not invisible.
Key Takeaways
Everyone goes through creative funks whether they admit it or not.
Sometimes people need to know that they matter and are making a difference.
You have something to offer even though you may feel like no one is listening or watching.
You have the ability to boost someone’s spirits when they need it the most.
All it takes is one person at a time to make an impact.
Shownotes
Diane Gibbs - Design Recharge
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CREDITS
Music - Blookah
Executive Assistant - Paige Garland
Photo & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar
Social Media Coordinator - Hannah Schick
Animation Specialist - Greg D'Amico