You should start creating again

There’s something universal about artists and creators:

1. When you create, you feel in sync with the world.
2. When you create only for a living it’s easy to burn out.

Any time someone tells me about a project they’ve been meaning to get back around to or a project they’ve mothballed I always tell them, “you should start that back up.”

The reaction is mostly universal too:

1. I don’t have the time.
2. I just don’t have the energy.

All people do is stuff. You’re either doing something creative, or you’re working, or you’re sleeping, and if not those, you might be keeping busy or sitting around. And if you’re doing those anyway, why not add something to this world?

If you start small you have the greatest chance of success. Write a sentence a day. Journal. Draw a quick sketch every single day. Find art or a skill that intrigues you and take it in. If nothing seems to interest you try to understand the things that you like–maybe that’s beautiful furniture and architecture. Actively curate pictures of it. Read about it, talk to people about it. Email people in the field.

The more you understand it the more you will find you can imitate it and express it in things that you make. Once you have the means and the passion, you won’t have to force yourself. It’ll just happen.