Last month, I wrote about the creative slump I was experiencing.
I explained that the slump might not be what it first appears to be.
This month, I’d like to talk about what comes after the creative slump: the new beginning.
Here’s the good news: I’m on the other side of it.
More on that later.
And it might be comforting to know that there’s a pretty well-defined process for navigating this change.
One of my favorite authors is William Bridges. His first book, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes, has been a tremendous help as I’ve navigated life’s shifts.
Here’s the thing about transitions:
Transitions begin with an ending.
Yes, you read that right. Transitions start with something ending.
The transition process actually has three stages:
Ending, Losing, Letting Go:
This is the first stage, where you begin to realize that something is coming to an end. It involves letting go of old ways, habits, or identities. This “loss” might be getting fired or leaving a job, experiencing a death or divorce, or completing an all-consuming creative project like directing a movie or writing a book.
This stage often brings feelings of loss, fear, and uncertainty, as you have to leave the familiar behind. This, to me, seems like the beginning of a creative slump.
The Neutral Zone:
This is the creative slump.
In this second stage, you’re caught between the old and the new. It’s a period of ambiguity, confusion, discomfort, and even disorientation, but it’s also one of creativity and renewal—though this renewal often happens below the surface.
You might not even be aware of it.
It’s the winter of your transition. It’s a time when you’re not yet fully connected to the new reality but have already left the old one behind.
The New Beginning:
In this third stage, you start embracing new beginnings and integrating new ways of thinking or living. You begin to feel a growing sense of renewal, purpose, and energy. The focus is on new roles, new understandings, and fresh perspectives.
It was comforting for me when I first learned about these three stages of transition because, when I first read Transitions, I was right in the middle of the neutral zone.
So, how is that creative slump I described in last month’s Innovation Espresso® going for me?
One of the action steps I outlined was moving into an office at the Center for Applied Imagination at Buffalo State University and starting my day with quiet reflection and inspirational reading.
I’m happy to report that I’m writing this blog from my lovely little office at Buffalo State University.
And, just about every morning, before I begin my day’s work, you’ll find me at my desk in my favorite room in my house, looking out at my tree-lined backyard, enjoying a cup of coffee and reading. I’ve been reading from several sources in the morning, but one of my favorites is a book by Emily Silva, Sunrise Gratitude.
The other thing about being on the other side of the slump is that I now have a much more positive outlook on my future and the journey I’m on.
If you find yourself in a similar place—stuck, lost, or unsure of what’s next—remember that this is just a stage.
Embrace the pause, trust that the creative renewal is happening beneath the surface, and know that your new beginning is on the horizon. The process may feel messy and challenging, but every ending leads to a fresh start, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
