Getting Unstuck Part 1: Get to Know Your “Stuck Self” as an Artist

I used to just close my eyes and hunker down when I was stuck, artistically. I felt like I was receding from my senses, almost as if I were depressed. Looking back, I think I was trying to numb myself from feeling the horrible feelings of being stuck, but when you numb the negative feelings you also numb the positive ones. So I would end up in this weird artistic purgatory where nothing felt bad but it didn’t feel good either. This was me, stuck. 

When I was stuck, that triggered a lot of other negative feelings and thoughts. Am I going to be stuck forever? If I’m stuck I must not be serious about my art. Will I ever create art that I like again? No one knows what I’m going through, I’m alone in this. 

The worst part was that while I was trying to avoid the negative feelings and thoughts, that didn’t mean they weren’t there and affecting me negatively, I was just less conscious of them. 

Eventually, I would magically pull out of my stuckness, the storm would pass, and I would be creating abundantly again. But I had no idea why. I didn’t realize that getting stuck is just part of the creative cycle. It’s not something to feel ashamed of or run away from; it happens naturally and it will keep happening. It’s how you handle it that will either draw it out for a longer interlude or shorten its stay. 

Once I got to know what was actually going on in my head when I was stuck, I was able to move through being stuck much more quickly. 

Now when I’m stuck I get curious. Why am I stuck? Am I really stuck or just having a bad day? What kind of stuck am I? Which unstuck strategy should I use this time?

If you are curious about your stuck self, I hope this little questionnaire below helps! Let me know how your journey is going with an email or DM. 

Stuck Self Guided Workbook 

1. Meet Your Stuck Self

When you imagine the version of you who feels blocked or stuck creatively:

- What’s their mood?

- What’s their energy level?

- What are they worried about?

- What story are they telling you about why you can’t make art right now?

2. What Triggers Your Stuckness?

- What tends to happen right before you stop creating?

- Certain environments, people, or conversations?

- Does perfectionism appear?

- What emotions are avoided?

3. How Do You Know You’re Stuck?

- Procrastinating or scrolling more?

- Avoiding your art space?

- Body cues?

- Repeating thoughts?

4. How Does Your Stuckness Manifest?

- Not starting pieces?

- Starting but not finishing?

- Jumping ideas?

- Self-criticism?

- Losing excitement?

5. What Does Your Stuck Self Need?

- Rest? Clarity? Reassurance?

- Lower pressure?

- Permission for “bad” art?

- Safe-feeling environment?

6. Your Stuckness Patterns

- What themes repeat?

- Blocks tied to stress? Comparison? Fatigue?

- One pattern you notice now?

7. One Gentle Step Forward

- What tiny action could loosen the block today?