Why Forcing Creativity Never Works (And What Does)

Hey friends,

You know that feeling when you really desperately want to solve a problem, something that should be simple, but you just can’t? 

I have been feeling that way for about a month and a half, and I think I finally found my answer. 

So there’s this song I was (key word, was) in love with.

I wrote it last year and I thought it was an absolute smash. It had big plans to be on my upcoming album.

🌿 If you're new here - Hi! I'm Megan, on a journey from who I thought I should be to who I actually am - making pop songs for anyone on a similar path.

As you may know (if not, take a look at my previous blog about getting feedback), I always ask for feedback from close confidants about my songs. 

To say the least - this song needed a lot of work.  

I was so upset. Not because my wife gave me very valuable and detailed feedback that I begged for. She’s the best.

But because I knew, deep down, that she was right.

The song was too wordy. 

Not painting the right picture that I wanted it to. 

The lyrics were a bit of a mess.

I tried for three weeks with a death grip on this song, trying to contort it into a beautiful and meaningful picture that I had in my heart. 

But it didn’t budge. I genuinely felt like it was resisting me.

Now, a month and a half later, I sit here in Long Beach. 

Visiting family, enjoying the day. 

I had given up on that song. After hours and many nights of work, I just realized something.

I had no control. It wasn’t worth it. 

So, you can imagine my surprise when in the middle of doing random things, I had an idea. 

I came up with one new lyric.

And then another, and then literally the rest of the song. In like 20 minutes. 

The song just needed some breathing room and time to come to me. 

Sometimes I think the universe can tell when we’re pushing. 

When we’re so adamant on getting what we want, right when we want it. 

I find myself learning this over and over again. 

That art is a pressure-off situation. 

To nurture these things I’m creating, and also to nurture my own wellness frankly, I need to chill. 

Even be okay with completely letting go.

And when I do, just maybe it will come floating right back. 

Sincerely,

Megan Stoneson