I’m in a doldrums. Still, this has been my pattern for all the years I can remember after a big creative project.
The Heights
Last week, I published my opus: “Requiem for a Stranger”. Naturally, if you haven’t heard it, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d do that now. Until now, it was only available on my websites including Bandcamp. Today, it should be available on all of the streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify.
Creating that opus was a huge high. Not surprisingly, the journey through composing, arranging, and recording this work was both inspired and inspiring.
Though I have lots to do for the marketing of the Requiem (musical scores, videos, publicity), I’m in a real slump at the moment. My motivation is about as low as I can recall. And I still have to keep up with everything from social networks to my day job.
The Doldrums
Fortunately, this downturn is very familiar. I’ve experienced it after many previous projects. First, I have a big dose of “I don’t want to do anything”. Secondly, I’m cranky and therefore having to infuse extra doses of “be kind” into my daily routine. Otherwise, I may let my grumpiness leak out onto co-workers or the people I care about.
The good news is that I no longer see these doldrums as the end of the world. Previously, I would make this period even worse with my worry that I’d never escape this feeling. But over time, I’ve come to see this as a natural process. Of course, my mind and body are ready for a rest after the big project. The doldrums are how I create this shift for myself.
That being said, that to-do list won’t do itself. So, now that I know the doldrums won’t kill me, I’d better find time to rest and get busy…