I call my version the "creative hangover" - that strange emptiness after finishing something important where your brain is simultaneously exhausted and restless. My desk becomes a crime scene I avoid for days!
And yes to making all blues at least turquoise!
PS I plan to use your final image in my post tomorrow.
I predict Substackers will get sick of seeing me lol
So you get it too! I was sure it was a common thing that happens to focused people - I understand the crime scene metaphor completely - mine has invisible do not enter tape around it
I agree with the circuit breaker idea - especially after a piece of work that has been very intense. Our brains need some time to ‘move on’, as you say if we feel that we’ve done something particularly well it can be unhealthy to embark on something similar immediately - putting additional pressure on ourselves. But, and it’s a big but, we can’t just do nothing for a while. Finding something else to occupy our mind is like taking it on holiday - giving it a rest by experiencing something different.
That’s it exactly - if I do nothing then the fear of starting again gets stronger - but doing something else creative still allows confidence to remain - though I think I’ll take this morning off and go have coffee and a date scone with a friend - sometimes shooting the breeze is just as productive (or at least that’s what I choose to believe today 😂)
That feeling is real. After pouring my heart into a piece, I get this writer’s high, full of energy, but then the crash hits. It’s like a sugar high—so much energy while you’re writing, and then you have to start all over with something new.
It’s hard to replenish when you’re coming down from all that creative energy. Sometimes, I have to take some time in between my more creative endeavors because you need a break. It’s such an intense process.
I can understand how Olympians feel, and people experience that after finishing their PhD too, after putting so much of their recent life into it. Once it’s done, there can be this kind of depression that hits.
I’m so relieved it is not just me… not that misery likes company… its just that its nice to have feelings validated by others feeling the same way.
Perhaps the piece should have been entitled Post Endeavour Blues - as I’m sure it applies to many different projects that we get emotionally attached or involved with.
Finding the right circuit breaker so we don’t keep discharging after finishing a piece of work is the key - I’ve been experimenting with cake today - as in eating not baking
It's definitely not just you. I think it's probably very common among creative types but can occur with anything where there's an intense emotional attachment to the outcome.
I call my version the "creative hangover" - that strange emptiness after finishing something important where your brain is simultaneously exhausted and restless. My desk becomes a crime scene I avoid for days!
And yes to making all blues at least turquoise!
PS I plan to use your final image in my post tomorrow.
I predict Substackers will get sick of seeing me lol
So you get it too! I was sure it was a common thing that happens to focused people - I understand the crime scene metaphor completely - mine has invisible do not enter tape around it
There was one time many years ago- I put caution tape around my office. It was in NYC - just a fun joke David.
The image is so poignant!
Do your cats cross the ‘line’ Nadine?
I agree with the circuit breaker idea - especially after a piece of work that has been very intense. Our brains need some time to ‘move on’, as you say if we feel that we’ve done something particularly well it can be unhealthy to embark on something similar immediately - putting additional pressure on ourselves. But, and it’s a big but, we can’t just do nothing for a while. Finding something else to occupy our mind is like taking it on holiday - giving it a rest by experiencing something different.
That’s it exactly - if I do nothing then the fear of starting again gets stronger - but doing something else creative still allows confidence to remain - though I think I’ll take this morning off and go have coffee and a date scone with a friend - sometimes shooting the breeze is just as productive (or at least that’s what I choose to believe today 😂)
Lovely to read your emotional journey since you start with emotion, and to see the final product. Thanks, David
Thanks Hans - I never knew art would be an emotional journey - but here we are 🤗☕🍪
That feeling is real. After pouring my heart into a piece, I get this writer’s high, full of energy, but then the crash hits. It’s like a sugar high—so much energy while you’re writing, and then you have to start all over with something new.
It’s hard to replenish when you’re coming down from all that creative energy. Sometimes, I have to take some time in between my more creative endeavors because you need a break. It’s such an intense process.
I can understand how Olympians feel, and people experience that after finishing their PhD too, after putting so much of their recent life into it. Once it’s done, there can be this kind of depression that hits.
I’m so relieved it is not just me… not that misery likes company… its just that its nice to have feelings validated by others feeling the same way.
Perhaps the piece should have been entitled Post Endeavour Blues - as I’m sure it applies to many different projects that we get emotionally attached or involved with.
Finding the right circuit breaker so we don’t keep discharging after finishing a piece of work is the key - I’ve been experimenting with cake today - as in eating not baking
It's definitely not just you. I think it's probably very common among creative types but can occur with anything where there's an intense emotional attachment to the outcome.