[Jewelry making - Article 01428] - Re: [Orchid] Creativity - Lost my style and no inspiration

[Tamara Bond]

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    I would seriously consider that the problem is not lack of creativity
    or inspiration. What you seem to be describing are classic symptoms
    of depression. I find it not too surprising that only one reply in
    this thread thus far suggested this; it is an extremely common
    condition, yet frequently unrecognized (in others and in oneself) and
    often underdiagnosed by physicians. It's a common misperception that
    all depression is triggered by some major life event and
    characterized by visible, extreme sadness, uncontrolled crying, and
    verbal expressions of self-harm; but it's usually not that obvious
    and can, not infrequently, develop over time from good old-fashioned
    stress. In addition, it still bears the reputation of being a
    character defect, and no one in their right mind (pardon the pun)
    wants to go there. It's much more comfortable to rationalize one's
    lack of pleasure, loss of inspiration, decreased energy and
    motivation as "just part of the creative process" or "something we
    all go through" and that all you need to do is be guided by your
    "muse" or let some divine or cosmic energy flow, or simply manage
    your life better and it will resolve itself. I don't wish to
    trivialize these things; I just think that neurochemistry plays a
    bigger part than people realize and should be added to the list. If
    I may, I would like to recommend three things: First, talk to your
    physician to rule out any underlying physiological condition, and
    then discuss taking an anti-depressant. Taking the right drug can
    often be the miracle you've been waiting for. Psychotropic drugs are
    heavily researched, been around a long time, and have gotten a lot
    "cleaner" over the past decade or so. It's also becoming more openly
    common and less of a stigma these days to use drugs as a tool. (On
    the other hand, the "drugs are evil" propaganda has also created the
    unfortunate public perception that all drugs are bad.) Second, more
    often than not, heavy, sustained knock-down, drag-em-out kind of
    daily, physical workouts will eliminate depression or depressive
    tendencies completely. No joke. (Actually, it doesn't need to be
    that extreme; that's just my personal preference.) Thirdly, do a bit
    of research. Some good websites are: National Institutes of Health
    (nih.gov); American Psychological Association (apa.org)
    (specifically http://www.psychologymatters.org/exercise.html); and
    Better Living Through Chemistry (neuropharmacology.com). From your
    thumbnail sketch I'd bet the farm I'm right about this. 

Good luck.  
Tamara
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