So we are now well into the New Year. And it’s usually around now when I find that my creative well runs a little dry.

For me at least, it’s not a good time of year for selling either. So it makes sense for me to take a little time out around now. I like to think of it as my “fallow” period. After all, nothing in nature blooms all year round, right?

There’s a lot of stuff around at this time of year that says that we should all be setting goals and making plans. Starting as we mean to go on, being dynamic, driving ourselves forward and all that sort of thing. Well, I’m sorry, but that just doesn’t work for me.

In January and February, I don’t feel very dynamic or even productive. I want things to be better, of course I do, but during these short, cold days and long nights I don’t seem to have the energy for all that “new year, new you” stuff, making me feel like a fraud, a failure, a fake.

In the past, I could get quite down about it. But over time I’ve learned not to be so hard on myself, because it’s just counter-productive. At this time of year, trying to be always on the ball, setting big goals and making big plans for the year ahead just invites the imposter syndrome to kick in, which makes it even more difficult to coax the creative urge out to play. So instead of piling the pressure on, I have given myself permission to spend some time making whatever comes easiest. And if I feel like it, to experiment a bit, to try new things, or to make stuff that takes a little extra time to get right. To play.

After all, for me there isn’t that sense of urgency that starts to build from summer onwards, as we makers gear up to get stock ready to put in front of Christmas buyers, so I don’t have to feel guilty or rushed if what I make doesn’t work out.

But when new ideas are few and far between, it helps to have something to fall back on. And in my case, it seems to be bears.For many creative people, an idea happens first and then they create the work from the idea. I used to think that this was the only way to do it. However, the amazing thing I’ve realised is that for me, that’s not how it works at all. For me, the process seems to work in reverse. This used to stump me and leave me paralysed creatively. I couldn’t think of what to make, so I made nothing.

But what I’ve come to realise is that in order to have ideas, I need to start creating and as I do so, the ideas come along.

I can almost make a basic bear on autopilot, now that I’ve got my materials, skills and method sorted. So I’ve got out my little patterns, rummaged through my furry stash of bear fabrics, and just started making bears. What will be, will be. At the moment, these are my bear necessities of life.And whilst I’m deciding along the way whether a bear should be big or small, fat or thin, long or short legged, somehow this wakes up my creative brain and the ideas and stories and characters come tumbling after.

So if you’re struggling to feel motivated, or creative, or even just reasonably human at this time of year (let’s face it, British winters can be pretty dreary and depressing!) why not try taking just a little time to do what comes easiest. I’m giving you permission to play. Not that you necessarily need anyone’s permission, except maybe your own.

Give yourself permission to play, not necessarily with bears or dolls, but maybe with paint, or paper, or clay, or needle and thread, or pens and pencils. Or fabric, or wool, or food, or music. Take a class. Get a craft book out. Or do whatever else feels easy and right for you. Make or do things that don’t have to be perfect, but that just get you started doing something that helps bring those creative urges and good feelings out of hibernation, without any pressure.

Because maybe you’re like me and need to dip your toe a little more gently into life, until the springtime comes along. ♥