When You're Starving

We've all been there. The computer hibernates, the piano keys get dusty, the pen's ink hardens--you just can't think of anything to do. Your creative tap has run dry, and the ideas are no longer flowing. Everything you try turns to ash, and you just can't think of anything good enough to get you going again, whether it's with a story, a song, or a painting. You're in a creative purgatory.

So take a walk. Actually get out of your room and go outside. And whatever you do, don't take your phone; that's the opposite of the goal, because the goal is to do away with all distractions so that you can get distracted. Let me explain.

The artist's job is to reflect and affect life around us. In order to do that, one must first reflect. But how can an artist reflect on something if he hasn't studied it? Creating a work of art is like taking a test while the entire time you're reflecting on what you've studied, which should be everything around you. The good news is that with this kind of test, you can take studying breaks.

So reflecting means going on experiences, observing others, and taking time to think. A visit to the zoo can give you an idea for a story and help you with research at the same time; sitting on a park bench and watching people walk, interact, and play with dogs may give you inspiration for a painting; a nice spot overlooking the sunset behind the city may drop a melody in your mind or a lyric in your lap.

As an artist you are never off duty. Ours is a full-time job. And when you've picked up the never-ending habit of reflecting, you will create something that will affect culture. And suddenly, you're not starving anymore. The creative tap is pouring faster than you can fill up your pitchers. You have countless ideas, and a limited amount of time to do them in. But as Michelangelo said, "I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish." What a blessing to desire more than you can actually achieve.

And all because you took a walk.