things ive found have helped:
- doing less during the day. ik this isnt always an option cause we all have to work, but if you do have things taking up energy that you can cut out, i recommend working towards cutting it
- try to not put as much pressure on yourself. you cant run a marathon if you havent started small. sometimes i just try to draw something on a post it note daily
- (my favorite) write down the basic thoughts during the day, expand them when you have time. i have a note on my phone full of random thoughts and words and when im feeling stuck, ill go through and pick out the easiest to start working on. for example, i have “handsaw” directly above “the pornification of violence” obv the second is a much more intense and “worthwhile” as a concept, but it is easier to doodle whatever “handsaw” means. its also so fun to have a huge list of the batshit looney things that have crossed my brain, because when i feel empty and heavy i can look at it and remember that i do have creative ideas.
- give yourself grace. being a creative is exhausting. its okay to feel utterly overwhelmed by life and the pressure to create. our bodies tell us what we need, and if you need a nap, honor how you feel and spend some time resting <3
