Photo taken last year....as was Monday's photo.
I'm not really sure how it happened, but I've lost my mojo. That magical "thing" that makes me want to create. I haven't picked my camera up since Christmas and even then I only did because I knew I should. I just don't seem to have that spark in me calling out to create.
I can't decide if it is the winter blahs - that time each year when the world just feels white and gray all over or if I'm still burned out from the holidays. Whatever is causing my loss of mojo, it seems to have settled in for a while.
The only time I felt any spark was while I was working to rebuild my photo library after crashing it. Looking at some of my older photos did make me want to pull some of my favorites out now that I have a basic understanding of Photoshop, there are some that I'd like to take to the next level, even some taken in the days before I had a dslr. (FYI - I did manage to recover everything, but it was a LONG week doing so. And a huge thanks to all of your for your back-up and organization tips, I'm using several of them.)
What do you do when you lose your mojo? I could really use some tips.
Taking some of the advice in this song might be a good first step:
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Be kind to yourself.... creativity ebbs and flows, and that's ok! Maegan (Madeline Bea...) did a vlog on just that subject last year (it seems like it was last spring, but I could be wrong!)
You'll get your mojo back, I have faith in you :)
Oh Jamie....I know how you feel. The winter blahs and drearys are tough. You're an inspiration to so many others-know that.
Someone asked this question when I was taking my digital photography class. The instructor said when she gets in a rut....she shoots anything that makes her turn her head for a 2nd look.
I also find doing the photo prompts helps-makes me take pix of things I normally wouldn't be drawn to.
If I find your mojo...I'll send it right over, but chances are you're carrying it with you and just don't know.
Be nice to you.
Susan
oh, I totally hear you! For me, it's that work is insanely busy and I am finding it hard to find the time to be creative. Then when I do have some time I am not feeling like picking up my camera, my knitting needles, etc.
I find it helps to make myself pick up the camera once in a while. Once I do that I usually enjoy snapping a few shots. I hope it's just the winter blues. Spring will bring back our mojo!!
I hate January it is so cold, gray and just blah. You need some sun when you can find it.
I tell myself that I just have to make it through January and even though its cold in February and March we are on the down hill slide of the cold months. I try to look for things that are bright and remind of spring and that it is just around the corner.
Hang in there your feel yourself soon
I have lost my mojo before. I think what helps more than anything is grab your camera and get shooting, especially if you don't want too! Some of my favorite pictures have come from days I "didn't feel like it"
Good luck, it will come back :) Glad you got your pictures back!
Oh Jamie! These moments of mojo-less-ness are so much a part of the creative cycle. Plus, you recently shared with me that you were in need of self care. There is absolutely no way that you're going to feel full of creative energy when your basic, fundamental needs are not being met. When I'm in a slump, I make sure to check in and see where I could be a little kinder to myself. And then I read...poetry, novels, comics, anything. And I listen to music. Feed your creative soul now so that when your creative spirit returns you'll be ready! xoxo
it happens. embrace it, embrace it good.
I think I've lost a bit of mine as well. I am blaming it on winter. I think if I could get outside and explore in the warm sunshine, I'd be much more eager to take more pictures. Right now, I just want to stay inside where it's warm.
Glad you recovered all your pictures!
Ya know - I'm starting to feel the same way. I know I've been posting daily, but I've been doing so much writing lately that I've forgotten what it feels like to create new. I need to find my inspiration again.
You should just take a break and eventually, probably sooner than you think, something will inspire you and your mojo will be back. Perhaps spending a day with your adorable niece and nephew will help! Hint hint . . .
sorry to hear about that but i'm sure your mojo will be back =) when i don't know what to create or if nothing inspires me:
a.) i pick up the guitar and play some tunes (like iron & wine or the weepies or tegan & sara or snow patrol) i think music helps me a lot
b.) i just play music and stare at the ceiling and sing out loud
c.) dance around like crazy, which i do as an exercise
d.) i just go out and take a walk at some park and let nature inspire me
The most important thing is not to beat yourself up about it. So your creative mind is telling you it needs a break to recharge its batteries! That's cool. Let it rest and one day you'll see something and find yourself framing it in your mind's eye and you'll be off again. In the meantime read great books, listen to great music and eat great food.
I have no advice because I lost mine too!
oh dear, it will come back, just rest and give yourself time and then you will find you suddenly want to take pictures again, don't fret about it, happens to all of us.
I love all of the advice here! Maybe it's just a quiet time in your creativity cycle. It happens. Fill it with input - read, watch movies, go to an art museum. Or you can try something completely new to you, I've found that learning something new can re-light the fires of creativity.
Your mojo will return, Jamie.
Just like anything you lose, try to put yourself back in the place you were before you lost it and see if that helps.
Something that almost always helps me is to take part in a photo challenge which FORCES me to pick up my camera and start turning out some work, something which gives y a theme or a prompt to stimulate the creative flow.
If you're feeling really 'blah' about it - what about trying another craft for a while - drawing or collages or something. Might give you the creative boost to get you up and going again. But like a lot of people said, i wouldn't worry to much. It'll come back when you least expect it.
Your not alone. I felt so alone until I came here. Thanks for posting this. It sure does come and go for me. I know what I need to do and have been. I need to look after myself and Megan said it best.
I love your
You're so not alone. I've been feeling incredibly blah...as I've read others have too! Winter blues for sure!
Instead of forcing myself into my typical creativity...which I'm just not feeling...I usually allow myself to try something new. Yesterday I tried a new crafting project, and I'm totally feeling my mojo coming back.
I think sometimes you have to build a new door into your creative house, especially if the one you usually use is stuck. :)
I am always a bit sad when my mojo leaves. I just get inspired through everything around me. I take a walk and soak in all the nature and see it with fresh eyes.
Hope the mojo will be on your doorstep again soon.
Everyone has periods that amount to less creative times. Life events and accompanying stress can be mojo zappers.
During down times, I do things that I know recharge me - reading, walking, and time spent with creative friends. Sometimes a change in creative mediums helps, but often just going to the studio everyday is the answer. My studio and creative tools - paint, beads, fabric, and camera- are often inspiring in themselves.
Well, back to my studio. Sending good creative vibes your way!
Listen ......do you hear it!! Its Arizona calling out to you...i think it's saying "I have your mojo, come and get it"
Take a break and don't worry about it. It will come back and you'll be more than ready to embrace it when it does. I find it really hard to stay motivated in photography when it's so cold outside!
I'm with Joanne! Lots of warmth, sunshine and maybe a vacation will get you being creative again. My problem is I have lots of ideas in my head with no free time. I guess I will just have to schedule some "me" time soon! Good luck!
although i worry it's gone forever, it never is, so i try to relax into the lull. your mojo will find you again before you know it! maybe try something different like sketching or visiting a new place in your town?
You have gotten lots of good advice here on losing your mojo. It can be frustrating. What helps me is to know that it will come back. I try not to freak out about it. Take care of yourself. Meaghan's(Madeline Bea)video on this helped me a lot too.
Wow, your readers gave you some great advice, how wonderful. For me, my creativity definately has different seasons. For example knitting feels totally forced in the summer. Sometimes outdoor photograph in the winter doesn't feel right, so don't do it. Maybe shot inside, or as you said, play with Photoshop more. My advice, explore creative avenues that feel right for the time. When stuff begins to bloom outside your window I'm certain you will get the urge to pick up your camera again. I think maybe your Mojo just wants to be expressed in a different way right now.
I think we all go thru 'dry' periods. The trick is to sit with them..let them happen..and then see what emerges from there.
i know how you feel (as it seems like others do to). sometimes when comparing ourselves to other bloggers, we feel like we not doing the best we can. when i feel like you are (and i totally do sometimes), i take a minute, step away from the blogs and do what i can to get my mojo back. this could be something simple like reading some pages in a novel, to something like working on a crafting project.
i know how difficult it can be, so am hoping that you get those creative juices flowing soon!
Simply give yourself a break Jamie. One thing I have learned about mojo (at least for me), is that you cannot will it back. It will come back when you least expect it. Promise.
Jamie please tell me that means "mojo" thanks!
Hahaha...love this song!
I get the mojo thing *sigh*...sometimes it's good to just let it go for the moment....be quiet.
Your mojo will come back!!!
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