Creativity can feel like a rollercoaster.

Some days, everything clicks. You can’t miss. It’s like shooting fish in a bucket.

Then there are the other days.

No matter what you try, you just can’t catch a break. The weather refuses to cooperate. Your compositions feel untidy. And the photographs that looked promising on the back of the camera seem strangely uninspired when you open them in Lightroom.

The truth is, every photographer experiences these ups and downs. It’s just the way it goes.

You may even be tempted to turn to that wise old sage, Dolly Parton:

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”

But there is more to it than that.

Creativity Comes in Waves

Creativity isn’t constant. It would be nice if it were, but it isn’t.

It comes and goes in waves. One minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’re in the depths of despair.

But this isn’t just normal. It’s necessary.

Imagine a world where creativity is linear. You wake up in the morning and simply know you’re going to create your best work yet. A masterpiece.

If that were the case, most of us wouldn’t even get out of bed.

Because the thrill of art lies in the unpredictability. When we experiment, we don’t know what the outcome will be. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

But we learn. With each lesson comes the knowledge that will eventually lead to a breakthrough.

And that’s what keeps us coming back for more.

A Dip Isn't the Same as a Rut

When you’re struggling, it’s all too easy to assume you’re in a rut. But don’t be too hasty.

A dip and a rut are not the same thing.

A rut is when you’ve lost interest in what you’re doing. The subjects that once excited you now feel tired, and the stories that once motivated you no longer hold your attention.

A dip is different. The desire is still there, but for some reason, things just aren’t working out in the way you had hoped.

Or, to put it another way: a dip is when you know what you should be doing, but it just isn’t working. A rut, on the other hand, is when you simply don’t want to do it.

We often make the mistake of thinking a dip means something is wrong.

In reality, it simply means better times are just around the corner.

Patience and Trust

How we respond to a dip and a rut differs significantly.

When we’re in a rut, something has to change. We need something that will spark our creativity and jolt us back into action.

But when we find ourselves in a dip, such drastic measures aren’t necessary. All we need is a little patience and trust.

Patience to keep showing up.
Trust that things will eventually improve.

The biggest mistake we can make is allowing a dip to affect our motivation. Because once that happens, we run the risk of turning a temporary dip into something far more serious.

As the Dalai Lama once said:

“The only way to fail is to quit.”

And it becomes much harder to quit when you understand that everyone — and I do mean everyone — experiences the rollercoaster that is photography.

The next time photography starts feeling difficult, take a moment before assuming something is wrong.

Chances are, it isn’t a rut, but a dip between creative highs that we all experience from time to time.

And when you do find yourself in that dip, the only thing you need is patience to keep going and trust that the wave will rise again.