The Rut
The Rut isn't just something you get into, it's a disease. Everyday you have it, it takes over your motivation, your will to work, your concentration. Eventually, The Rut will absolve you of your happiness.
So what's the cure?
I still haven't figured that out. Things that have worked for me have been consistency, a healthy daily routine (eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising), and new experiences. By creating a happier life outside of my work, I'm more focused once I actually plant my butt in my seat to write.
Humans are incredibly physical creatures, but I don't think we like to admit it. If we're stuck in a rut, we prefer to attribute it to any number of things: bad luck, a lack of talent, an angry deity. It could be that our brains just want a little novel stimulation. It could be that our bodies are just sick of digesting junk food and only getting four hours of sleep a night. Yeah, it really can be that simple.
Taking care of yourself is the first and most important step to leading a happy (and hopefully long) life. Without caring for our mind's vehicle, how can we be expected to function creatively? How can we swerve away from The Rut if the controls aren't oiled and maintained?
I'm not saying that you can't create at all if you don't take care of yourself - centuries of unhealthy artists put paid to that idea. However, I do think it's more likely to be difficult to keep working and stay consistent with your output if you're too busy fighting hangovers, coffee jitters, and that terrible wheezing the comes out of your face every time you try to tackle a set of stairs.
Don't you owe it to your creative passions and aspirations to give them your whole, healthy self?
What do you think? Am I onto to something here, or is this just more of The Rut talking? Lemme know in the comments below!
So what's the cure?
I still haven't figured that out. Things that have worked for me have been consistency, a healthy daily routine (eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising), and new experiences. By creating a happier life outside of my work, I'm more focused once I actually plant my butt in my seat to write.
Humans are incredibly physical creatures, but I don't think we like to admit it. If we're stuck in a rut, we prefer to attribute it to any number of things: bad luck, a lack of talent, an angry deity. It could be that our brains just want a little novel stimulation. It could be that our bodies are just sick of digesting junk food and only getting four hours of sleep a night. Yeah, it really can be that simple.
Taking care of yourself is the first and most important step to leading a happy (and hopefully long) life. Without caring for our mind's vehicle, how can we be expected to function creatively? How can we swerve away from The Rut if the controls aren't oiled and maintained?
I'm not saying that you can't create at all if you don't take care of yourself - centuries of unhealthy artists put paid to that idea. However, I do think it's more likely to be difficult to keep working and stay consistent with your output if you're too busy fighting hangovers, coffee jitters, and that terrible wheezing the comes out of your face every time you try to tackle a set of stairs.
Don't you owe it to your creative passions and aspirations to give them your whole, healthy self?
What do you think? Am I onto to something here, or is this just more of The Rut talking? Lemme know in the comments below!
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