“I Don’t Feel Like Creating Right Now” – and That’s Okay

Article by Manuela Bittencourt – 07/29/2025

We live in a world that worships productivity.

And if you’re a musician, you probably feel it tenfold – this invisible pressure to always keep releasing, always writing, always grinding. 

But what happens when the inspiration just isn’t there? When sitting down to write a song feels more like a chore than a release?

You start wondering: “Am I lazy? Am I falling behind? Am I losing it?”

Let’s get this straight:

You are allowed to pause.

Not creating doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

The Toxic Narrative of Constant Output

Music culture has absorbed the worst parts of hustle culture.

You see artists posting #inthestudio every day, dropping monthly singles, building content calendars like CEOs.

But the truth is: real creativity needs space. 

It needs stillness, boredom, even moments of doubt. When you’re constantly forcing music out, you risk burning out—not just creatively, but emotionally too. How many big artists have done that before? Countless. It is normal.

You are not a machine. 

Creativity is seasonal

Some seasons are for planting ideas.

Some are for blooming.

Others are for resting.

You don’t judge a tree for losing its leaves in the fall. Why do you judge yourself for needing a creative winter?

In fact, many incredible records have come after long dry spells. Adele took six years between 25 and 30. Frank Ocean disappears for years at a time. Someone once said: “Doing nothing is doing something.” When we are seemingly inactive, our minds and bodies are still processing, learning, and experiencing new and old things. 

Reframing the Pause

Instead of thinking:
“I’m stuck.”
Try thinking:
“I’m storing energy.”
Or: “I’m listening instead of speaking.”

You’re not behind. You’re recharging.
You’re not lazy. You’re healing.
You’re not failing. You’re being honest with yourself.

Real Talk Advice

• Take the guilt off the break. Don’t punish yourself for not “being productive.”
• Stay connected to inspiration. Go on walks. Listen to old records. Watch a film with great scoring.
• Journal. Not everything has to become a song. Write for you first.
• Don’t compare. Everyone has seasons. You might just be in your winter while someone else is in bloom.

Final Thoughts

Music will always be there when you’re ready. 

And when you come back to it on your own terms, you’ll remember why you fell in love with it in the first place.

You’re still an artist – even when you’re not creating.