i have writer’s block lol

It’s currently 8:30 PM on Friday and our June newsletter drafts are due TODAY.  I’ve been super stuck about what to write about for the last few weeks….think, Felix, think!

Maybe it was the procrastination or the pressure finally knocking on my noggin, but it is what it is. I’ve decided to write about writer’s block. But the more I thought about it, I realized that working through The Block is all incredibly relevant to the work we do at Club Rambutan.

As you might’ve guessed, The Block prevents the creator from creating - but why? Some people, myself included, might be victims of perfectionism, while others may lack motivation or fear perception and judgment from others. These feelings don’t only apply to writers and artists: The Block is part of the human experience. Here at CR, that’s exactly what we’re trying to embrace: the relatable, silly, frustrating, authentic journey of understanding yourself, and as a result, creating for yourself. 

I think about how much easier it was for us to make stuff as kids. Doodling with crayons was so fun and simple; if there was something I wanted to draw, I would literally just draw it. Sea animals, family, Disney characters—nothing was off the table. Perfection wasn’t a concept because doodles could be doodles, art could be art. I can doodle because I can!

Cue the childhood drawings.

But as I've gotten older, I’ve been prone to setting up a lot of rules and standards for myself that stifle my imagination. I believe that the biggest barrier is often ourselves.

So the point of all this? Maybe you’ve been working on your craft for some time and you have an expectation of what you want to create. I challenge you to take a step back and think about other ways you can create or approach your project. If you usually take photos of people, why not try taking landscape or concert photos? Do you usually work with specific colors for your art and clothing? Try using different colors or shades. Yes, it may not be your best work, but it challenges you to think differently and work differently with your craft.

Slowly, I’m learning not to take things so seriously. It’s an affirmation that I need to remember, that I need to take a few steps back to see the full picture.