Any change in your routine — holidays, illness, vacations, family deaths or weddings — can bring a slump in your creative work.

Even when you’re completely into your art, there’s often an inertia that keeps you from rebooting and being productive.

Cynthia Morris and I recognize this in our clients and thought it would be juicy content for a podcast.

But first … full disclosure … we went to a yoga class. It was an experiment. What would it be like to record one podcast, go to yoga, and then try another after taking a break? Would we be able to get back into the groove?

It was a tall order and it didn’t quite work. I think you’ll see that we empathize with the topic when you listen to this podcast.

Show Notes – Authored by Cynthia Morris

Here are three things that help my clients, including those in the Art Biz Inner Circle, rekindle their dedication to their projects.

1. Take it easy.

Beating yourself up over your lapse never works to get on track. Be kind to yourself as you resume your Creative work.

Let your return be as slow as it needs to, but be firm with yourself about getting back to your creative pursuits. Build up to where you left off, if needed.

Start with brief (10 minute) creative warm-up exercises. I often invite my clients to have a 15-minute “date” with their project, to get back in touch without pressure.

Alyson has said that her commitment to these “dates” is what helped her finish her book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio.

2. Connect to the love.

What do you love about your art practice? Take a few moments to jot it down.

What does it feel like to have this absent from your life? Is that acceptable?

3. Design new support structures.

Make appointments with your mastermind partners and set up a meeting with your coach or artist partners to design structure and accountability that works for you.

The bottom line is that this happens to even the most dedicated and accomplished artists.

Take comfort that you’re not alone. Remember: Whatever you do, don’t beat yourself up because you’re not as productive as you were before the break.

This isn’t helpful.

But do hold yourself accountable for doing the work.

In the many years I have been coaching and working on my own creative practice, I’ve come to realize that it’s not about staying on track at all costs.

We ALL fall off our practice. The work is to get back in the Groove with as little self-recrimination and thrashing about as possible.

Your Turn

How do you get back into the groove? Tell us about it in a comment below.

About My Guest

Cynthia Morris is an artist, author, workshop leader, and certified coach. She is a team coach in the Art Biz Inner Circle.