Your Maker Hobby Shouldn't Be Draining You. 3 Ways To Regain The Spark
You started Making things because it filled a gap in your life, but now you're wondering how it became so draining.
I get it and have been there too. The downside to Making things is that your project list is never-ending and, if you build too many projects for others, it becomes a second job. Hobbies shouldn't be draining, but should fill you back up after the demands of your full-time job, family, and friends.
It's time to re-ignite the spark that made you want to be a Maker and get back to being creative (even if you're more logical like me).
Way 1: Build A Small, Bucket-List Project
After you've been Making things for awhile, your "need to make" list starts to take priority over your "wouldn't it be so cool to build this" list.
For me right now, it's a Star Wars themed shelf for my LEGO Star Wars helmet collection (yes, I have every one of them now). Plenty of projects have needed to be done first, but that is the one I want to make. Building and creating projects that are not exactly what you want to do is great for knocking out your list, but grates on you after too long.
If you're in a creative slump, build something that's been living in your head rent-free for awhile, even if you don't "need" to build it yet.
Way 2: Solve A High-Impact Problem Of Yours
Another downside to Making things is that you start to be unhappy with solutions that come from stores.
Projects exist all around our house that are high-impact for my wife or our kids. It's important to fix those because I can and because I want my family to be better today than yesterday (or last month based on my project timeline track record). Being selfless like that isn't a bad thing, but you have to solve your own problems as well (think of it as practice).
Give yourself something by solving a problem that only impacts you, then you can get back to fixing things for others.
Way 3: Look For Inspiration In Your Favorite Media
When most people think about unwinding, they think about streaming a movie or show and we all have our go-to's.
Pick your favorite show or movie, then come up with something to build for yourself that is inspired by it. If you don't usually build from shows or movies, this is a fantastic way to push yourself creatively in a new way. A word of warning though: don't look at social media for inspiration if you're in a slump, but come up with something yourself (you won't beat yourself up as much, trust me).
Draw inspiration for your next project from the things that help you unwind already, bringing it into your hobby.
