Is Stress Killing Your Creativity
What Helps Instead
Is stress killing your creativity? It’s been a problem for me recently and I thought it might be a bit of a universal problem for you as well.
Stress takes its toll when our brains are busy processing and thinking about the stress, drama or trauma that is going on in our lives.
“Loss of motivation during trauma is not a creative failure—it’s a nervous system response.”
That one idea alone will feel like a relief to many people.
You’re not unmotivated.
You’re not lazy.
You’re not blocked.
Your system is protecting you.
Here’s my story of recovering from cancer in 2024 and how it affected my art and motivation, Click HERE.
Creativity Needs:
- Mental space
- Emotional safety
- Focus without threat
Lies Artists Tell Themselves
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“If I stop, I’ll never come back.”
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“Real artists push through.”
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“If I were more disciplined, this wouldn’t affect me.”
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“I’m losing my spark.”
Trauma-friendly creativity:
- 5 minutes painting instead of 50
- organizing brushes instead of painting
- watching art instead of making it
- making color charts
- sitting with a canvas and not touching it
Things You Might Try:
- Paint something you’re good at
- Work on a project
- Create for you
- Let art be private
- Don’t share your art for now
You’re Not Broken
Your creativity isn’t gone for good. It’s resting. It’s giving you time to work through the trauma or stress. Your creativity will come back. It probably won’t come back all at once, but it will come back.
Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself some time to heal or settle your brain. It might not take as long as you think.
Artists ALL Go Through Times Like This
I don’t know of any artists who haven’t gone through what is called an artist block. It isn’t always accompanied by trauma but it can be. Things that help unlock that block are pretty much the same.
If you’re experiencing trauma or stress in your life, don’t be surprised if you can’t paint – for right now. Keep reminding yourself that this is temporary – it’s going to pass. Don’t put more pressure or stress on yourself, Let your heart and mind settle and know that art will be there for you when you return.
Thanks for being here today,
Sharon
P.S. Here’s a playlist with other art motivation. Click HERE to view the playlist.