Why I Stopped Creating—and What It Taught Me

Creative work often feels like a rollercoaster. Some days, ideas come easily, and projects flow smoothly. Other days, the mind feels stuck, and producing anything meaningful seems impossible. What stops the mind from consistently creating? Understanding these mental barriers is the first step to breaking through them and maintaining a steady creative flow.

Creativity isn’t just a talent—it’s a process shaped by many different factors. Recently, I found myself feeling stretched thin creatively. I had just hosted my first writer's showcase and even gave a speech about how writer’s block isn’t real. Not long after, my daughter—who is incredibly creative—came to me and said she was experiencing “art block.” That made me pause. Is there really a “block” for everything, or is it something else?

I’ve realized I don’t like using the word block. It feels heavy—almost like the word hate. When you block something, you’re creating a barrier. You’re stopping something from flowing in or out. It’s protective. It’s final. And that made me ask myself: do I really want to associate my creativity with something that suggests restriction?

Maybe it’s not a block at all. Maybe it’s a moment—a pause, a redirection, a need for rest, inspiration, or new input. Because creativity doesn’t disappear; it shifts. And instead of calling it a block, maybe we should start asking: what is my creativity trying to tell me right now?

Not my actual work space...this is too clean

Ooooo, that last sentence was good. Sometimes I even surprise myself with my creative downloads. But let me get back to the creative “stretch” I mentioned earlier. After the event, I felt empty. I still had projects waiting, book clubs to write for, and eight books to finish—but I didn’t want to do any of it. It wasn’t that I lacked discipline; it was that the spark I usually had each day just wasn’t there. So I had to ask myself: why? Was I actually blocked?

That question took me right back to what I shared in my 10-minute presentation—my theory on why creativity is impossible to block.

There are other ideas trying to break through, but you can become so focused on what you want to accomplish that everything starts to feel clogged until you reach a moment of clarity. These things that “clog” the creative flow—or make the creative juices feel a little less juicy (okay, that sounded weird)—can come from personal situations, other people’s ideas, and even world events. And yes, clogged is different from blocked, because when something is clogged, there is still some level of seepage—just not a full, steady flow. I can understand now why some of the most well-known authors step away for weeks or even months to complete their projects. I would love to do that myself, but I know my children would find me—they’re like my personal FBI, but only when it comes to their needs.

Instead of booking my favorite cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, I did nothing. And that part hurt, because like I said earlier, I was someone who consistently showed up for my creative ideas every single day. It felt like visiting a wise family member—one who would pour into me, share insight, and leave me feeling more inspired and knowledgeable than when I arrived. But this time was different. I looked at my workspace and found myself thinking, What do I even want to do again? Then I would sit down and end up watching the first season of Murdoch Mysteries.

That became my routine for a few days—until I started asking myself the harder questions: what is really happening, and why? By the time I reached season four of Murdoch Mysteries, something shifted. I began to feel that my creativity wasn’t gone—it was evolving. Just like a writer’s work changes over the course of a long career, so does a creator’s expression. My role within my creativity was moving in a new direction, and honestly, it scared me.

I’ll share more about what that shift looked like in the next blog post, so stay locked in—because it just might unlock something in you.

During this time, my creativity has been asking me to shift to another level. The goals I had set out to manifest have happened, and in order to build toward my ultimate dream—a larger writers showcase—there is new work to be done. And this work is different from what I’ve done before. This is where my creativity really began to stretch me. So let me ask you a few questions:

Where is your creativity asking you to flow that’s different from your past? Do you trust where your creativity is taking you? What steps can you take to move in that direction? And do you think you might become someone on the other side of this process that you’re not yet comfortable with?

These are the questions that surfaced for me. I’ve always loved being in the role of helping and serving. I don’t write my books to sell them—though they do sell—I write because I genuinely love to create, and it costs me nothing to express that through my work. One thing I value deeply is seeing other people succeed, which is why I created the HonestChats Markets and The Authors Book and Chat Showcase—to give writers and vendors a space where their creativity is supported by the community. These questions helped me realize that my next move could bring even more visibility to the event and inspire others to prioritize their creativity. I’ve even had a few people ask about a writer's workshop, so I may be reaching out to some of you who are interested.

And just in case you’re wondering—I’m okay. I was okay then too, just in an uncomfortable space, a transitional phase that many of us encounter at various points in our lives. This discomfort often serves as a catalyst for personal development and transformation. Growth will do that to you; it challenges your existing beliefs and pushes you out of your comfort zone, placing you right in the middle of a plot twist that you think about day and night, trying to figure out how to resolve it. This process can feel overwhelming at times, as if you are navigating through uncharted waters, but it is also a vital part of the journey toward self-discovery and understanding. The beautiful thing is this: if you can hear the call of your own potential, then you are more than equipped to see it through. It is this inner voice, the one that urges you to pursue your passions and dreams, that acts as a guiding light in moments of uncertainty.

Embracing this call requires courage and a willingness to embrace the unknown, but it ultimately leads to profound growth and fulfillment. Until next time, create the space to place your creativity in the highest position. By nurturing your creative spirit, you open the door to new possibilities and insights that can propel you forward on your journey. Remember, the discomfort that I feel or you may feel at the appointed time. Is often a sign that you are on the brink of something extraordinary, so lean into it, explore it, and allow it to guide you toward your next chapter.

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