A break is every so often called for in order to regenerate the creative well. It is something we all need from time to time. Getting away from daily routines. Leaving worried thoughts behind. Letting go of demands. Taking a break from creating. Just a change of scenery can make a big difference, can invigorate us.
Our creative ability and mindset is like a well. Sometimes we drink of it, feel inspire and can just keep pouring out new ideas as if the well would never go empty. But of course, no well is ever bottomless. At some point, it can run dry. From time to time it needs to be filled up again or it just needs time to let the natural flow of water—or inspiration, if we talk about creativity, which of course I am—pour back into it. Time away can be what is needed, again talking creatively. Or doing something different that acts like a regenerator where you fill up yourself with renewed energy instead of defecating on what isn’t there anyway.
I have had such a break. Needed, not because the well was completely dry, more because I wanted to refresh the water that was still there. Those of you who follow me regularly have probably noticed that is been quite a few weeks since my last blog post. In that post I wrote about my desire to renew my approach to blogging, a search for a change of direction. The feedback from all of you has been immensely encouraging. Just so you know, it was never in my mind to quit, and it certainly isn’t now. I wish to thank each of you for the many heartening comments. I have taken them all to heart. They have helped invigorate me and fill up my creative well. I feel ready to dive into an explosion of creativity.
My search for a change of direction is not over. But I have ideas. Some I mentioned already in the previous post, some ideas have come out of comments you wrote and some have popped up as a result of renewed inspiration. Particularly one idea am I very excited to launch at some point. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. I just need to find a practical way to handle it as it’s going to be an interactive endeavour in which I hope to involve many of you. For now, that’s all I am going to say, but I will soon get back to it.
There is not going to be a revolution on my blog. The changes will come dynamically over time. One thing I learned from all your comments is that many of you find inspiration in what I write and that for me is the biggest reward I can get. You know what they say about changing a winning game. So it’s more going to be add-ons instead of a make-over. No matter what, though, authenticity is the backbone of all good blogging. I know I have to be honest to myself and give of myself. Be personal. That is what makes blogging such a satisfactory undertaking. The exchange between different minds from all over the world. Giving and receiving. Isn’t that why we all blog?
I know it’s late and we are already weeks into the new year. Nevertheless: I wish you all the best in 2019. May it be an inspirational and creative year.
Good to see you. Otto. Happy New Year to you and good luck with your new blog ideas. 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia, Wishing you all the best.
Happy New year to you, and I’m excited to see what the new year brings here.
Thank you, Mary. Happy New year to you, too.
Hello!
Glad to hear you are refreshing your well! I agree blogging can be very satisfying and I do love sharing with all my blogging friends. I have never placed any schedules or engaged in ‘challenges’ because I want my posts to come naturally … when the time is right. I’m looking forward to seeing what is up your sleeve!
I have tried to at least launch a new post every Monday, but I agree with you, that blogging should be a natural process. As you, I haven’t participated in any challenges, either, but I might induce one in the future. 🙂
It serms that you are off to a great start… there is a calmness and contentment in your eyes. The well is filling.
Look forward to reading your next posts.
Happy New Year!
The well is hopefully filling, if not now then eventually. That’s the process of creativity. Thank you, Donna. Happy New Year to you, too.
I’m happy to see you back in this space. Happy New Year to you as well.
Thank you, and may you have a great new year, too.
All the very best to you, Otto, for 2019. Great photo.
Thank you, Tish. All the best to you, too.
My best wishes for the new year. It is good that you regenerate in time. That you felt it was necessary. We all have it sometimes, but often do not listen to our body and feelings. Re-source is delicious. Enjoy it.
Thank you. You are right, it’s really too easy to overlook our body and feelings. It doesn’t work well in the long run, does it. Best wishes to you, too.
Reading your aspirations, expectations, challenges, changes and directional focal points, etc. etc., relate to many, including me a non-photographer. Your thoughts relate in such a way…a meetup in a small cafe for a cup of
coffee to chat…small talk, life talk just hammer through ideas. It’s what friends do to keep the life-work present. You are, Otto, a friend to many. Thank you. Best wishes for this new year….carry on…! Raye
I like the analogue of a cafe meeting where we can encourage and inspire each other. Like we did. Thank you, Raye. I wish you all the best for 2019.
It’s wonderful to read you again Otto, you are an endless well of inspiration and ideas that encourage to take a breath of fresh air and continue on. Thank you dear Otto, Happy New Year to you!
And thank you for the beautiful words, Holly. Happy New Year to you, too.
It’s my pleasure Otto.
Hi Otto! I am happy to hear you had a good break, and I love your expression “ready to dive into an explosion of creativity”. I feel a bit like that too after my winter break. I know that most of us sometimes worry about the need to renew our blogs…even when there is no reason to be worried. I have noticed by observing myself and others that such a renewal often happens almost ‘by itself’ as a way of evolution of one’s authentic self, and the creativity flowing as a result, rather than a revolution. God fortsättning!
You are so right, we often worry needlessly. Changes come about in a fluid way over time. May you enjoy the creative explosion. 🙂 Takk skal du ha. Med ønske om alt godt i 2019.
Good for you on doing what you needed to do…
Thank you, Dale.
Happy New Year to you to Otto – I read this recently and thought it applied to you. ” Written words create ripples in the fabric of reality”. Your Blog posts do that indeed!
That it’s lovely said. Thank you, Lee. Made me happy. Wishing you all the best for 2019.
Wishing you every happiness and success in the new year! I’ll look forward to seeing where your muse leads you.
Thank you, Linda, and likewise. 🙂
Glad to have you back in the groove!
Thank you.
Otto, I agree that the community each of us build is a wellspring of inspiration and support. While some of us need creativity to sustain us, we still are enlivened and shored by others who view and response to the work. Wonderful to have you back.
It’s an ever-going exchange, isn’t it. We create out of ourselves, but the exchange with others brings new perspectives and understanding. Thank you, Sally.
Great portrait of you. You look thoughtful, determined and content. Just as it should be. You are much needed here – I hope you can feel that…and I think you do. Warmest wishes for a creative and Happy New Year, 2019. Thank you for a glimpse down your well –
I will what you say to heart. Thank you, Ann-Christine. Wishing you all the best for 2019.
♥
Happy New Year 2019
Thank you. Happy New Year to you, too.
You sound both at peace and excited. I am glad you are back, Otto, and look forward to the surprises you have in store.
Thank you, Lois.
It’s not too late for good wishes like more inspiration and creativity, and it looks like they are knocking at your door. I like the photo – it is so straight-ahead – lots of people (myself included) tend to hide in their photos. I see the self portrait as a reflection of your straight-ahead attitude. Looking forward to seeing what’s next!
I like to see myself as a straight-ahead guy. Of course, I have my darker sides, too, but don’t we all. 🙂 Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Lynn.
I’m excited to see what comes next!
Thank you, Linda.
I am so happy to see you and also excited too… Thank you, Happy New Year and Good Luck with your Blogging Creavity and Ideas, Love, nia
Thank you, Nia. I wish you all the best for 2019. May it get a little more peaceful in your part of the world.
I shall be interested to see what direction your blog takes, Otto – and interactive sounds good!
I hope it will be exciting! Thank you, Sue.
😊
Best of luck with your new direction, Otto. It’s always wonderful to read your blog – I too like the personal touch and the insights you share with us. May 2019 be a wonderful year in all respects!
Thank you, Reggie. Likewise, wishing you all the best for 2019.
Thank you, Otto. 🙂
There is something in the air?
https://flowerywallpaper.com/2018/10/12/man-sollte-seinen-mantel-nicht-zu-lange-an-den-gleichen-nagel-haengen/
https://findesatz.blog/2019/01/01/findesatz-2019/
Maybe there is?
I’m delighted to see your return Otto. My feeling is that you punish yourself with the workload you undertake. Your commitment to this site alone would be almost a full time job quite apart from your professional demands. Take more frequent breaks, however short. You owe it to yourself!
Thanks for the consideration, Louis. At times it does feel like a full time job, but then it’s all the fun and joy that comes with keeping the blog alive and connect with blogger friends. Like you.
Great to have you back – missed you. Look forward to seeing where you blog is going.
Thank you, Syd.
That little half-smile says it all. A new year, new directions, and a bit of new determination. I’ll enjoy seeing which roads you travel.
I do too, since the road is still very open. But that is what makes travelling so exciting, isn’t it. Thank you, Linda.
Happy New Year, Otto. Nice job on creatively getting us all agog as to what the new directions might be… 😉
Not trying to hype up anything here… 🙂 Thank you, Dave. Wish you a Happy New Year, too.
glad to have u back, full of vitality!!
Thank you, Elaine.
I am a strong believer in self-care. Day to day life can become exhausting, draining us entirely. It is important to take time so you can refill your bucket of water and come back refreshed. New perspectives open up a whole new world.
You are so right. It’s important to replenish and take care of oneself from time to time. Thank you Kenzie.
One cannot give from empty pockets. You must keep some cheese for yourself. Creativity reminds me of the butterfly. The more you chase it the further away it becomes. Be still and it will land on your shoulder. Creativity is such an elusive entity. I love to enjoy it but I usually cannot call on it to magically appear. Perhaps that’s the beauty of it. But Otto you are a seeker and we all need seekers to share what they have discovered. It moves us all further along on our journey. I look forward to what your seeking reveals.
I agree, creativity is very elusive, but I don’t think you can wait for it to appear. You have to go after it and sometimes work your way through the rut. But then sometimes it’s like your butterfly analogue. Thanks for the encouraging words, Buddy.
You made such a strong statement about inspiration. I’ve seriously had my days of giving up. On those days, the smallest reminder that there were people in need of a skill I specifically studied, gave me courage to keep trying.
Support is always helpful, isn’t it. And we need to keep encouraging each other!
You’re right and you stated it perfectly.
Thank you, Robert.
I’m so glad you feel invigorated and recharged, Otto. Wishing you a wonderful year, as well, and I know you will continue to share your beautiful work and creativity with us. I always look forward to your posts. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.
And thank you likewise, Debra. Wishing you all the best for 2019.
It’s a pleasure to read you again Otto. Beautifully written post. Your words are as inspiring as your photos. A break is sometimes the solution as you say that allows us to think and move forward with enthusiasm and even more creativity in the achievements of our projects. Wishing you a year filled with inspiring challenges, laughter and fulfillment -and all the other good things too!
Thank you for the heartwarming words, Dominique. I hope 2019 will be full of inspiration and creativity for you, too.
Thank you so much.
Love the self portrait Otto… goes with your reflective mode. Looking forward to more inspiration and encouragement. Peace and solidarity, Bruce.
Thank you, Bruce.
an exceptional portrait
i like the feel of grit
Thank you, Sherri.
bonjour otto! 🙂 how are you doing? Nice photograph!
see you 😉
Thank you, Solveig. I am doing fine. Hope the same for your?
Welcome back, Otto. I am glad you found your break refreshing. May 2019 bring to you what you wish for.
Best,
Tanja
Thank you, Tanja. May 2019 be an inspiring year for you, too.
Thank you!
It’s always great to have a break and come back refreshed with new ideas, Otto. We have just finishes 10 days of fasting, a detox for body and soul.
We wish you all the best for all your upcoming projects!
It must have been an invigorating experience. Enjoy your clean bodies and souls. All the best to you, too.