I’m participating in the Cheeky Visionaries Biziversary & Launch Party! Amanda Sue Howell’s business is turning 5, and she’s celebrating with the launch of 30 Days of Creative Abandon. 30 Days of Creative Abandon is a 30 day course created for makers, who are looking for new ideas to set them free from artist’s block!

Look, I’m going to be honest here. I had an awful time working out what to write for today. So I’m going to tell you about all the things that have been conspiring against me to stop me doing anything creative.

How to kill creativity

My son’s birthday cake

• Children. I have kids. Before I had them, I loved doing crafty things. Sewing, knitting, crochet, baking – those have been my mainstays over the years. After the kids came along, I slowly let my creative hobbies drop by the wayside. I found it nearly impossible to knit with a toddler around. Harder than trying to knit with a kitten in the house! But now that they’re older, that excuse is becoming less valid, and these other ones are taking over.


My son’s birthday present, finished just hours before he officially turned two.

• Procrastination. It’s easy to want to do something, and then say ‘I’ll do that later.’ But later never comes, does it? There’s usually a deeper reason for procrastination. Figure out what it is and you just might get past it.


My boys in their stocking caps, made in between levels of Candy Crush.

• Mobile games. Oh dear. Do I really want to admit to how many hours I’ve spent playing mobile games in the last week? Let’s just say it’s been excessive. It’s so easy to lose track of time when you’re staring at your virtual farm. Those kinds of games are fun, but I’m not sure they’re helping me to be creative with anything other than extending my tablet’s battery life.


This afghan took me six years to finish, because I lost interest in it part way through.

• Apathy. Sometimes you just don’t care enough to create. Fine for a little while – everyone needs a break sometimes – but sooner or later you’ve got to get back on that horse. Humans are creative by nature. And there are HEAPS of ways to be creative. My husband writes computer programs. My older son builds with Lego. My younger son loves music. Find something you enjoy and start creating it!


I’d love to do pottery, but I’m afraid I’d mess it up!

• Insecurity. Feeling like you’re not good enough leads to procrastination and avoidance. But creativity isn’t necessarily about being GOOD at something. It’s about making something and having some fun.


The nappies I used to make in my handmade business. Over five years, my feelings on sewing went from love to hate.

• Obligation. When I had my handmade business, I started out loving what I did. And then over the next five years, that love was replaced by duty. I felt like I HAD to sew my nappies so I’d have something to sell. Doing something because you have to, not because you enjoy it, is a sure fire way to kill any enjoyment that might have been there. Just think about doing the dishes. Laundry. Cleaning the toilet. Do you enjoy those? Most likely not. Because you HAVE to do them.

So those are my major blocks to creativity. What are yours?