feeling a shift

February hit me hard these last 2 weeks.  I felt a funk grabbing hold and digging in deep.  It was mocking my ever waning resilience I fought hard to have this winter as if to say, "HA! go ahead pick up that camera. I dare you to find anything pretty around here right now!", and so my camera sat quiet. The very last day of February I woke to sleet and freezing rain pouring down on all our snow, the grumpy oil guy was here trudging snow and muck through my house, my teenager flooded her bathroom, I felt the weight of it all crushing down on me.  If I had a white flag I would have waved it. Then yesterday, just one day after I had felt so defeated and uncreative, I woke to sunshine, the first in days.  Puddles emerged from under the ice.  A bowl of handpicked lemons, a gift from sunny California, sat basking in in that beautiful sunshine in my kitchen,  I picked up my camera and for the first time in some time I felt happy as I clicked the shutter.  All at once I realized the ice was not the only thing thawing. I flipped the calendar page, gladly saying goodbye to February.  March feels full of hope and promise to me. Tomorrow I may get knocked down by winter again,  but somehow by turning the calendar page it all feels doable now. I feel a shift, do you feel it too? Hello March, I think I love you.

What do you do creatively when you feel in a rut?  Do you let your camera sit silent, or do you force yourself to pick it up anyway?  Share a happy hopeful image here with us today to welcome this new month.

Comments

[Alex Kinnan]

Sometimes I put the camera down and watch a movie, play a game, or read a book. Other times I actually do force myself to pick it up and shoot. The past few years, what I've done is buy old cheap film or digital cameras on eBay for the purposes of having them sitting about so that, when I'm in a rut, I can pick up an unfamiliar "new" camera and experience that kind of blank-slate thrill that comes with trying something different...

[Marcie]

Oh...I know exactly how it is you've been feeling. Living in the same part of the world as you - I experienced the same weather. That last day of February and the grey cold sleet and rain..and then a breath of sunshine on the first day of March. Here's what I do..when I can't find anything else to inspire:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2011/3/1/white-space.html

[Kathryn]

I've been finding it hard to get myself out of the winter funk especially when the color palette around my house is brown on beige, no color in sight. Feeling hopeful that spring is around the corner.

[margie]

i wrote about february today as well. how it shouldn't think about coming back any time soon.

http://www.soeursdujour.com/

[Valerie]

Watching my son grow makes me miss my dad -- gone almost 19 years now. But sometimes I watch my father-in-law playing with my son and know his kindness and love will help my child better envision the grandfather he never met. I pulled out my camera, fully expecting nothing but snapshots from indoor light on a cloudy day. For the most part, that was true. Then I caught a shot of a wee hand next to an bigger, weathered one...

http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2011/02/tea-party.html

[Meredith]

I feel like I wrote your post! I have been feeling the same way so when March 1 was sunny and somewhat warm, I got my two girls outside and we played in the mud! So fun! Here is my "hopeful" pic!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=145266855535485&set=a.118067434922094.17256.117957754933062

[Olivia]

I, too, feel the burden of the "winter blues." We have had a cold winter "down South." The last day of February was horrendous--gray day, storms, even a tornado in the area. My camera has been silent since the snow days in January, sitting in its cozy bag in the trunk of my car, on the back seat of the car, now by the dining room table. There are a few images, but nothing inspiring. I'm not sure what's going to shake me from my rut. I long for spring and flowers and green things (although you can leave the mosquitoes behind!). I long for the return of the heron on the pond and the egrets and ospreys at the state park just down the road. I long for the return of spring.

[lifeineden]

even though it was too cold to go out -- I celebrate every morning of sunshine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/5490415364/

[Jessica]

i find that going on a walk, no matter how dreary the weather, always helps. nature never fails to offer up some bit of beauty. that said, it's amazing what sunshine can do.
xo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27982366@N06/5491150443/

[*amanda*]

Hello, *this post*, I think I love you.

Thank you for postng. I needed to here about someone else in a rut with high hopes for March and this upcoming Spring season...<3 <3 <3

[Becky Sue]

I felt the shift too. First it was noticing how bright it is at 6:30 which led me to think about the time change that will be happening soon... had to look it up... March 13! Then it was a beautifully sunny day... in like a lamb. I decided to take the 45 minute trip to Trader Joe's/Whole Foods/Target and felt spring again walking through their spring and floral departments. Breathe deep, it's on the way!

Trader Joe's had an awesome deal on daffodils, 1.75 a bunch! I bought 3 and spread them throughout my house.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5491836970/

[Susan]

Being back here in the mountains I know it will be awhile before spring arrives but saying bye-bye to February felt really good!

http://windrockstudio.blogspot.com/2011/03/yay-march.html#comments

[C Blore]

Like Jessica I find that heading outdoors no matter what the weather is, gives me a boost. This was taken at sunrise this past weekend during the hypothermic 1/2 marathon I was running.

http://365-aphotographicjourney.blogspot.com/2011/02/day-54.html

[Puna]

I have been in a little bit of a creative funk lately but I think it's because I've been so busy. I too took a photo in my kitchen to welcome in March.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2011/03/march-1-hold-the/

[Suzi]

I think that February has the power to make most of us feel exactly as you described. If I'm lacking in creativity I tend not to pick up my camera as I've learnt that I'm usually not happy with any of the photos I might take. Instead I will trawl through my archives and find something special that I might have missed. This is a shot I took on a day in January when the sun was shining, albeit for just a brief moment.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40748116@N03/5491139031/

[michel]

I hadn't picked up my camera for almost the entire month of february. I just wasn't feeling it. then yesterday I was walking home and saw the sun setting. although the temperatures are a frightful low right now I ran home to grab my camera and capture some LoVe.
I feel it too - spring might actually happen

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michelfeist/5491275287/

[Jess]

When all else fails, a self portrait can usually get me thinking creatively.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5484398799/

[Melissa]

February was a blah month for me too! Experimenting with new studio lighting got me out of my funk.

[Deanna]

We were getting better weather back in January than we have been in February and the beginning of March isn't supposed to be any better. I took a day off work last week just to relax and despite the weather went for an afternoon beach walk to see if I could capture any images and I was able to get a few.

http://anewdayadifferentway.blogspot.com/

[autumn sun]

i had been in a real rut - then i went on vacation and was revived
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5487902324/in/set-72157626167546112/

[Linda Jacobs]

The changing of the months made me hopeful but wistful, too, so I looked through my photos and found a few to cheer me up.

http://garlinjake.blogspot.com/2011/03/dreaming.html

[Abby O.]

I've been in such a funk I've been forcing myself to pick up the camera. Most days it sits on my desk while at home. This morning, waking up in bed right as the sun rose, the light streaming into our bedroom had such a golden happiness to it. at that moment I wanted to take a picture of the tangled mess of duvet cover and blinds shadows streaming across the top of the bed. I'm hoping that it's a sign that the rut was finally over.

[s.b.Lyngo]

Gorgeous image. Searching for color with camera in hand is always a safe bet for me. Today I am learning a thing or two from pumpkins. http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2011/03/02/little-things-you-can-learn-from-a-pumpkin-ftr/

[Tracy]

I can completely relate. Sometimes I just go back into my archives to remember sunnier times. Or better yet, buy a little spring in the form of flowers. Here's a shot of some gorgeous tulips my husband got me for Valentine's day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/5488588633/

[Corinna]

The 365 project has kept me shooting even on days when I feel completely stuck creatively, which has been an amazing experience on many levels. Yesterday I got our first whiff of Colorado spring too... It felt really good to shoot it.

http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2011/3/2/fair-warning.html

[Michelle Sheldon]

I TRY to get out my camera and find something to shoot when I'm in a funk. The other day was really bad so I spent the afternoon with my 3 1/2 y/o niece. It helped a lot. She always makes me smile. We ran outside to quickly take some pictures. It wasn't until she yelled, "Auntie, watch this! My shadow is dancing!" that I even realized the sun was out! It definitely put a smile on my face. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/barefootdreams/5492365044/

[playcrane]

Glad to know I'm not the only one. I blogged about it today: http://playcrane.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-funk.html
And here's a hopeful picture: http://playcrane.blogspot.com/2011/02/dear-blog.html

[Jess]

Very beautiful photo today and such a truthful entry. In March, we usually try to make a purchase (big or small). It's a nice way to get out something old and bring in something new. I missed a couple of days with my camera. I wasn't sure what to capture. Then, I tried to dig deep to see what was on my mind and how I could put it together for others to understand.

http://jessicavescera.blogspot.com/2011/03/tribute-to-table.html

[shirley]

What a bright and wonderful post. I think there is a reason why February is only 28 days long. We finally saw the sun too.

http://www.shirleybehindthelens.com/2011/03/rays-through-clouds.html

But if I'm really finding myself in the dumps, I buy tulips.....
So glad March is here!

[NatsterNat]

I agree...when I'm in a rut, I also have a hard time finding something interesting shoot. Fighting the viruses of the season doesn't help with the creativity either. Here's a couple "happy" shots I took on a stroll around the lake a few months ago...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58861148@N02/5492508244/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58861148@N02/5492504666/in/photostream/

[Jade]

Usually if I feel like I need a break, I give myself a break. Sometimes taking a step back from the camera can enrich your creativity in the longrun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmsheldon/5492097483/

[Laura Cee]

I am so glad that it's not just me feeling that way this winter.
I even received a new Nikon for christmas and I have had no inspiration.
Can't wait, the trees are starting to bloom here and I feel that flame starting to ignite.

[xanthe]

Sorry the funk got you down :( there is nothing wrong with taking a break, sometimes it's the tonic you need.
The light you found here is a blessing indeed.
I'm happy March is here at last, spring brings colour and that warms my heart.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/5475573157/

[Brenda]

I really feel picking up my camera once again has giving me a new hope. And a new outlook.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greeneyephotos/5489573395/

[Lee]

This winter I have not forced myself to pick up the camera when I'm not feeling it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leedav/5493099604/

[mary]

supermarket flowers save my life at the end of February:

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-march.html

[Lori]

Winter weather really gets me down as well. Its hard to pick up my camera when it looks so dreary outside. http://lorisanders.blogspot.com/2011/02/waiting-for-sun.html

However, the sun has filled my soul with joy as it tells green to take over and tells the flowers, "Its time to bloom and strut your stuff!"


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderwood/5490422884/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderwood/5492584649/

[Patty]

I know exactly how you are feeling and have been feeling exactly the same way. Here's what I did the other day when I felt completely void of inspiration and enthusiasm....

http://pmaherphotography.blogspot.com/2011/02/uplift.html

[damiec]

I feel like I notice even the tiniest blooming things. I silently cheer each and every one on as I pass.
and sometimes I take their picture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/5493541130/

[Heather]

February was hard. But I think of summer...and search my archives for warmer, brighter more colorful days.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/htekmo/5436336422/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/htekmo/5398556563/

[Chantal]

sometimes the camera can help lift the mood, sometimes it cannot, it depends on why I am in a rut... but I try to keep capturing...

[suzie]

I tend to get frustrated by the lack of time I have to myself. When it gets really bad I grab my fave camera and take myself on a photowalk. Country or city, I don't care, but I use fresh eyes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ascatteredbrain/5458526127/

[Kristina]

every morning is a new beginning
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/2011/03/cologne-at-dawn.html

[OneOfTheseThingsComesFirst]

I'm trying to leave winter behind turning back with my mind to a past journey in Africa. Then I feel good again...

http://oneofthesethingscomesfirst.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/into-my-mind-delightfully/

[maureen @ cottage 960]

Ahhh, I feel your pain. In the past the winter, and in particular February, was so very difficult to get through. Doing a 365 this year has helped me immensely. It has pushed me to go outside when the sun was shining, even if it was freezing cold. It forced me to pay attention to the light, and realize that it's around more often than I thought. But oh, how my heart sings as I find those signs of the shift. The sounds and smells, the feel of spring. It's in the air now. No going back.
Yesterday was so sunny I had to find my sun glasses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22377101@N04/5493238819/

[Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Photo Blog]

When I'm feeling blah I do one of two things. I either let my camera sit and just relax or I grab my camera and take pictures of things around the house. I love random photography, it always makes me smile.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlygauthier/5437478476/in/set-72157625829977454/