on creativity

so i've been thinking about creativity a lot lately. it's one of those things that we all have to some extent or another, and something we more or less exercise regularly. here at custo it's something that's seen every time that someone posts a submission of their own original work or a screen shot composed of other's works.

however, we all seem to hit some kind of a block at some point or another that keeps us from continuing our creative streaks. for some, it's easy to pick up and keep going or to just get over the block. for others, it's harder to overcome. creative block is something i'm sure that most, if not all, wish they never had to deal with. simply put: it's a pain in the ass.

anyway, as i was saying: i've been thinking about creativity a lot lately. i've been out of school for nearly 3 years now and have been working full time for most of it. looking back over the elapsed time, i can identify a definite pattern showing the decay of my own creativity into what i consider full blown creative block. at first, i was able to still do art and write and be satisfied with the results. however, there started to be more and more time between projects and fewer and fewer were finished. i kept saying that it was because i was tired, uninterested, lacking in inspiration - even that i was out of practice. jokingly, i even said that work was sapping me of my creativity...

examining this aspect of my life lately, i've noticed that i never lack for inspiration or imagination. almost anything can inspire me or set my imagination into motion creating something that will never come to fruition. the excuse about being tired is somewhat valid, but fully depends upon how busy i am at any given time and shouldn't really block creativity anyway. out of practice? well, that tends to happen when you don't do anything.

am i frustrated with my complicity in allowing myself to fall further into inactivity and lack of creativity? yes.

why? mostly because i can see points where i started to pull out of the creative block, but then i allowed myself to set aside the project for one reason or another to pursue something else. though i can't say i regret each time i did that.

now, i mentioned that i'd jokingly blamed work for sucking dry my creativity. but i've come to realize that it's true to a large extent. i work an office job where i rarely move away from my desk, rarely take my eyes from my computer...rarely see the light of day. i'm constantly looking at the same things, constantly seeing nothing but bland colors and items, rarely being allowed to exercise my creativity.

the fact that work is a major contributor to my creative block was further confirmed today while in the midst of a conversation with a few friends at work. one of them is an artist and busted out the exact statement that i have used - a sentiment that i have never expressed around her: that work is sucking away all of her creativity. yes, i'm aware that this happens to a lot of people. but it's still weird to have someone express it.

anyway, i'm just kinda getting this out in a not so coherent way. laying it out and looking for ways to try and break past my current creative block. if anyone reads this and feels like sharing their experiences with creative block or ways/ideas on how to get past it, please share.