janedennis

I am in a weary dumpy mood and cant seem to get interested in quilting or anything. All I do is sit on this computer and read the quilt board and play games. I recently lost a good friend and thought that maybe why I feel this way but somehow I dont think so. I had recently finshed around 12 placemats, now what to do with them. They were an unfinshed project and finally got them done but now feel wrung out, should be ready for new projects. I tryed cutting the other day and managed to cut out enough to do some blocks but couldnt seem to sit at machine and sew. Do any of you ever get this way and how do you fight it?

littlehud

I understand what you are feeling. I get in a slump too and quilting isn't enjoyable when I feel that way. I just give myself a day or two to feel better. Sometimes a visit to the fabric store helps me.

Chele

I think that happens to most artists. Give yourself some time and surround yourself with visual inspiration. When I get in those slumps, I try some technique that is above and beyond my comfort level. Most of the time I learn something new or decide to change directions and make something I know I can handle!

Don't beat yourself up. Sometimes you just need a creative break. You'll get back in the swing soon.

oksewglad

Jane, Do you have quilt magazines or books handy? Looking through them may help you--especially if you go back to some ones you haven't opened in a while.
Just heard a radio talk show on how working with ones hands helps fight off depression better than drugs :lol: . Hey what do we quilters do? Do you have some hand work on some WIP's to do? Sometimes we need to finish what we started and then regain a feeling of accomplishment :lol:
And yes I think we've all been there.

BellaBoo

You probably heard this before but it works! Get out and walk in the sunshine. Walk around your yard, sit in the sun for awhile. Find an ant and follow it! Just get outside and stay outside for a few hours. Pull some weeds, water the weeds, wash the car, the sidewalk, the driveway. Sit down in the grass and look for a 4 leaf clover or lay down and look at the sky. When I get the drags I make myself get outside and do something even if it is just sitting on the stoop watching and thinking.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

I get the "blahs" as I call it, too. The computer or TV can really suck me in when I'm in one of those moods. I have to force myself to turn them off. Generally, I go outside if it's sunny. I like to walk off my moods but even if I don't walk, just being outside in the sunshine seems to help me. I think my brain needs real light instead of the light bulb stuff in the house.

joeyoz

Yes I have felt that way. I was in a depression and only going deeper. My friends and family finally talked me into getting help. I went to my doctor and she put me on anti-depressants. I've been on them a few times and always go off and end up depressed again. My brain just doesn't produce enough seritonin. Needless to say, I won't be going off them again. It's nice to have my life back. It's not a shameful thing to be on anti-depressants.

oksewglad

You're right Joey some folks need the assistance of anti depressants, just like I need my Synthroid for hypothyroidism. But if working with ones hands helps anyone fight off depression its worth a try :D

joeyoz

I totally agree. This quilt I called "Out of My Depression" is what helped me. The more I worked on it, the better I felt. When I finished it, I felt an actual release.

oksewglad

Wonderful :!: