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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
 Posted - 04/19/2007 : 00:55:48
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I am sure living in China and having too much time on my hands is driving me insane.
I have recently started a teaching job in the mornings. I work at this place Tues - Fri, 8am - 9:45am. On Tues, Thurs and Fri I have no work afterwards so this is a great chance to spend time studying web design, and improving my website, or other websites that I am doing for clients (when I have them).
But, I find I have a couple of problems....
1) I get home feeling knackered, and spend an hour on the couch watching t.v., after which my motivation to study / work goes down the shitter.
2) I've found that creatively I have become a retard. I just can't think of anything original, or design anything that looks good.
I dunno... for the past couple of weeks I have got no work done and its starting to get depressing. I just cannot motivate myself. Maybe I have worked a little too hard in the past and am suffering from burnout, where the passion for designing has dissapeared. This is a real problem as I need to make a career out of web design. So it feels like I am in a Catch22 situation. In a few weeks time I head back to UK and Europe for a 2 week holiday, so I doubt that I will get much work done then.
Balls! Any advice anyone? I'd love to know how any of you get through creative block / laziness / fatigue / manic depression... fuck, whatever its called.
Cheers
Stuart
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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OLDMANOTY
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
469 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 01:39:18
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I know what you mean. I'm, shall we say, 'between jobs' at the moment and as I'm inherently lazy I tend to spend a lot of time avoiding tedius tasks like, er, finding more work. Consequently I spend a lot of time either contemplating what a waste of space I am or losing myself on here. My lack of motivation confuses the hell out of me as I love what I do for a living!
Don't sound like the best person to give advice but I'd say avoid the tv when you get home, go have a lie down, listen to music, maybe sleep for an hour or so before thinking about starting study/work.
Godspeed |
Edited by - OLDMANOTY on 04/19/2007 01:41:17 |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 02:39:26
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Cheers mate. I find myself getting so bored that I become paralyzed... I am bored out of my mind but I cannot get motivated to get off of my arse to do anything about it. I too love designing... really makes me feel great when I come up with something good. But when I cannot come up with something good then I feel like shit.
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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Doog
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1220 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 03:01:35
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What are you doing in your hour and three quarters of work that's making you knackered?
Don't under underestimate the power of a decent diet and/or vitamin suppliments, drinking loads of water and a bit of exercise. And enough sleep. If I do something wrong on those fronts, I can feel like UTTER SHIT, mentally and just plain physically.
------------------
www.myspace.com/doog = solo choons
www.myspace.com/casabonitaband = noisey stuff
www.myspace.com/WKtheband = surfrockpop geekery
www.myspace.com/ukpixiestribute = Nimrod's Son |
Edited by - Doog on 04/19/2007 03:02:40 |
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Newo
~ Abstract Brain ~
Spain
2674 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 04:24:23
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try for 30 days to do things you wouldn't usually do. Eat food you wouldn't usually eat, wear clothes you wouldn't usually wear, avoid contact with teevee, radio and newspapers for a month, seek out a few places you've never been to round where you live; if that means not seeing friends at all, do that too, and see how you feel after the thirty days.
And when you do feel fresh about webdesign again, don't sweat creating something you don't like, 90% of what you write/paint/play/whatever is just fertiliser for the 10% great stuff. Don't bother judging, just shit it out and move onto the next one.
--
Allen Ginsberg says you got no soul. The ancient Egyptians say you got seven of these bastards, and Pharaohs got fourteen, what they get for being Pharaohs. |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 07:25:47
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| I have horrible motivational problems. I've always been pretty unfit, and prone to illness. Being unemployed is the worst. You think you'd do more with your time, but as a friend of mine always says (usually in reference to me) "If you want soemthing done, ask a busy person". |
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misterwoe
= Cult of Ray =
Greece
675 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 13:01:09
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As a novelist/overall creative person, I know what you're going through. Follow these steps, and you'll find what you're looking for and more.
1) Kill your TV -- it is the ultimate mental jerkoff mind suck (after a couple weeks, you won't miss it. I promise! Life will really open itself to you without the idiot box.)
2) Do not stress about originality. Shakespeare didn't worry about it, why should you? He combined elements from other works and made them better. This thought of originality stops a lot of creative people dead in their tracks. It's a dangerous fallacy. If you have anything original to express, it'll come out on its own!
3) Do creative things aside from web design. Paint or draw or write everyday. This will get you more in tune with the creative process and help you work out any kinks in your mindset.
4) Read as much as you possibly can, especially good fiction (i.e. Vonnegut, Chabon, Kerouac, Hemingway)
5) Listen to lots music. Dim the lights, lie on the floor and close your eyes (with or without music).
6) Go for walks, exercise, and meet new people.
If you have any questions or want to chat more about this, feel free to email me.
Remember, your environment changes you, as my mentor used to say. He also said: "Stop whining and just fucking do it! What are you waiting for?"
Good luck.
I'll be by the pool, playing with my guns. |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 13:27:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Carl
I have horrible motivational problems. I've always been pretty unfit, and prone to illness. Being unemployed is the worst. You think you'd do more with your time, but as a friend of mine always says (usually in reference to me) "If you want soemthing done, ask a busy person".
i've always felt, if you are going to be unemployed, you should look the part. grow out your beard. don't shower often. start drinking (more) heavily. but that's just me. i always try to throw myself into whatever i do
jamming good with Weird and Gilly |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 15:44:49
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Shit Floop, you have just described me... except for the fact that I am employed. The forum is scaring me this morning!
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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Jefrey
= Cult of Ray =
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 19:29:33
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Hey Stuart.
Try starting a photoblog - since you are in China, and are probably the only one on this board who is, take a couple photos per day and show us what you see, and maybe write about it.
I always find photoblogs and commentary about other countries and cultures from expatriats very interesting, especially if the culture is really weird compared to where you came from.
== jeffamerica == |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 19:42:04
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quote:
Originally posted by misterwoe
As a novelist/overall creative person, I know what you're going through. Follow these steps, and you'll find what you're looking for and more.
1) Kill your TV -- it is the ultimate mental jerkoff mind suck (after a couple weeks, you won't miss it. I promise! Life will really open itself to you without the idiot box.)
2) Do not stress about originality. Shakespeare didn't worry about it, why should you? He combined elements from other works and made them better. This thought of originality stops a lot of creative people dead in their tracks. It's a dangerous fallacy. If you have anything original to express, it'll come out on its own!
3) Do creative things aside from web design. Paint or draw or write everyday. This will get you more in tune with the creative process and help you work out any kinks in your mindset.
4) Read as much as you possibly can, especially good fiction (i.e. Vonnegut, Chabon, Kerouac, Hemingway)
5) Listen to lots music. Dim the lights, lie on the floor and close your eyes (with or without music).
6) Go for walks, exercise, and meet new people.
If you have any questions or want to chat more about this, feel free to email me.
Remember, your environment changes you, as my mentor used to say. He also said: "Stop whining and just fucking do it! What are you waiting for?"
Good luck.
I'll be by the pool, playing with my guns.
Thanks mate... I'll take some of your advice. I have started to read more, and don't watch too much tv these days.
I need to cut down on my boozin' although this is very difficult as most of my mates are piss heads. I guess that makes me a piss head too as I can never really control the amount that I drink.
Gonna sit down today and write down where I want to be in say a years time, what I want to achieve etc etc... if I can get my arse into gear!
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 19:46:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Jefrey
Hey Stuart.
Try starting a photoblog - since you are in China, and are probably the only one on this board who is, take a couple photos per day and show us what you see, and maybe write about it.
I always find photoblogs and commentary about other countries and cultures from expatriats very interesting, especially if the culture is really weird compared to where you came from.
== jeffamerica ==
Alright Jeff,
Kind of done that already... check out:
http://www.thewebgorilla.com/photo.php
I dunno. Was sitting down the other day thinking of new and useful apps that I can program using PHP but just couldn't get myself into the right frame of mind. Actually I ain't such a great programmer so maybe I could just do some more tutorials to help me. It's just getting the motivation to do it as reading about programming is quite dry and takes a fair amount of concentration. That sounds like I don't enjoy it, which I do... it just ain't so easy some times.
Sorry... I am whinging like a bitch.
Just found out today that there is another forum poster in China... that's cool.
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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danjersey
> Teenager of the Year <
USA
2792 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 20:31:23
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i think of mixing things up but never really do.
its all a money issue to me. do i have enough cash?
survival of the fittest no just nerve.
how long will it take before the bank closes shop?
stay afloat. |
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Jefrey
= Cult of Ray =
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 23:18:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Stuart
quote:
Originally posted by Jefrey
Hey Stuart.
Try starting a photoblog - since you are in China, and are probably the only one on this board who is, take a couple photos per day and show us what you see, and maybe write about it.
I always find photoblogs and commentary about other countries and cultures from expatriats very interesting, especially if the culture is really weird compared to where you came from.
== jeffamerica ==
Alright Jeff,
Kind of done that already... check out:
http://www.thewebgorilla.com/photo.php
I dunno. Was sitting down the other day thinking of new and useful apps that I can program using PHP but just couldn't get myself into the right frame of mind. Actually I ain't such a great programmer so maybe I could just do some more tutorials to help me. It's just getting the motivation to do it as reading about programming is quite dry and takes a fair amount of concentration. That sounds like I don't enjoy it, which I do... it just ain't so easy some times.
Sorry... I am whinging like a bitch.
Just found out today that there is another forum poster in China... that's cool.
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight
Neato, thanks for the link!
I totally understand your pain on the creative stuff. I have all this software and have learned a bunch of languages and do nothing at all with it. I have 10 or so DV tapes filled with various footage and a baddass G5 with Final Cut Studio and can't bring myself to do a damn thing with it.
Of course I also have a 5 month old kid, so that at least gives me some excuse.
I've found that the best way to break out of a creative funk, depression, what have you is to try to do a project with another person. Then it's not just your ass that's waiting for results. Gets you out of the house too.
== jeffamerica == |
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Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <
4209 Posts |
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *
1670 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 01:25:49
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Try Heroin
The Truth Is Out There |
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misterwoe
= Cult of Ray =
Greece
675 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 06:33:44
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I would definitely lay back on the booze. Alcohol only magnifies whatever you're feeling. It is a depressant, and if you don't moderate, it will burn your soul, as the butthole surfers once sang. I've had my own troubles with booze in the past; it has destroyed many fine people: Hemingway, Fitzgerald, HST, Kerouac, my estranged step-dad.
Hanging out with pissheads will never allow you to curve your drinking.
I'll be by the pool, playing with my guns. |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 10:47:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Skatealex1
Try Heroin
The Truth Is Out There
wouldn't say no to some opium
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 10:49:11
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quote:
Originally posted by misterwoe
I would definitely lay back on the booze. Alcohol only magnifies whatever you're feeling. It is a depressant, and if you don't moderate, it will burn your soul, as the butthole surfers once sang. I've had my own troubles with booze in the past; it has destroyed many fine people: Hemingway, Fitzgerald, HST, Kerouac, my estranged step-dad.
Hanging out with pissheads will never allow you to curve your drinking.
I'll be by the pool, playing with my guns.
No, I agree.... but they are ny mates. and drinking is in the genes. I know its bad, but at the end of the week if I don't have a drink then serial killing is on the cards!
Because your candle burned too bright, that I almost forgot it was twilight |
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Topic |
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Creative Block Depression
