So I’ve done it! A year of blogging! 1 blog a week for 52 weeks! I’ve just gone back and re-read the very first blog post (https://www.mattwilsonphoto.co.uk/cnl-blog/creative-nowhere-land-blog) and I’m reflecting on the year of blogging and some of the things that I’ve learnt as a result…

I started the blog because I’d found myself in ‘Creative Nowhere Land’ and suffering from a bit of a creative block which every creative can relate to I’m sure. Especially when your passion is also your career and your means of paying the bills. That’s right! As I said in the first blog post, us creatives have bills too and, despite the myth, we don’t live off ‘unicorn sparkles’ haha!

So after 52 weeks of blogging the first thing I will say is that I’m certainly not suffering from a creative block right now and the blog is definitely a major contributor to that. It did exactly what I wanted it to do in terms of keeping me accountable, inspired and creative in order to post week in, week out. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t always easy and some weeks, when work was busy, the last thing I wanted to do was a blog post but I set myself the target of every week and I stuck to it… religiously! That leads me nicely on to how the blog and the plan of ‘creative’ salvation, as I so dramatically put it in the first blog post, has actually lead to some really interesting and inspiring stuff a year down the line.

Creative Nowhere Land is now going to have its own website (https://www.creativenowhereland.com/ ). I’m sure if you read the blog regularly you will have already signed up to the newsletter and if you haven’t then click the link above as it would be great to have your support. It’s a holding page right now but in the coming weeks, it will be going live.

A lot that I’ve written about in the previous blog posts have led up to all of this. I’ve spoken a couple of times about my ‘Creative Evolution’ and how there are other avenues of my creativity that I want to explore. I’ve also written about ‘Pigeon Holing’ myself as just a photographer when I do so much more creatively than just photography. Am I an ‘artist’? Am I a ‘creative director’? This is where that imposter syndrome kicks in and I cringe! I’m not going to give it a label or put Creative Nowhere Land into any ‘box’ as such because then it feels like it has to conform to something! Think of Creative Nowhere Land as a ‘The Sims’ or, for the younger crowd, ‘Minecraft’ for creativity. An ever-evolving creative space!

Creative Nowhere Land is a place where there are no rules creatively. A place where anything goes and I can explore not only my own creativity and process but also the ideas, processes and creativity of the people and things that inspire me! Hopefully, in doing so it will inspire others to explore their own creativity.

All will be revealed and I’ve rambled on for too long again! So if you’ve liked the blogs, are into art and creativity, or you just want to see where it all evolves to then be sure to sign up to the newsletter to keep up to date. If you do you will be able to download your free ‘HOW TO STAY CREATIVE’ guide as a little thank you for signing up!

Anyway, some other things that I’ve learnt from blogging every week for a year are…

• I LOVE WRITING AGAIN. (which makes my Mum, who is a retired English teacher, very happy.)

• WRITING ISN’T EASY.

• BLOGGING KEEPS ME INSPIRED AND CREATIVE.

• RESILIENCE AND CONSISTENCY.

• NEW DESIGN SKILLS.

• BLOGS CAN BE A GOOD TALKING POINT.

• WEBSITE TRAFFIC INCREASED MASSIVELY FROM TRAFFIC THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

• YOU CAN MEET NEW PEOPLE YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE BEFORE.

• REVISITING OLD PROJECTS/IMAGES CAN HELP GENERATE NEW IDEAS.

• LINKING AND CREDITING (WHICH YOU SHOULD ALWAYS BE DOING) CAN BENEFIT OTHERS THROUGH YOUR BLOG.

• I CAN MEET MY GOALS

I could list loads more of the benefits that I’ve got from blogging for a whole year I’m sure. The main thing to take away from it is, for me, it got me out of a creative rut and I’ve not felt this inspired in a long time. I’m excited to see how Creative Nowhere Land evolves and I hope you’ll stick with me on the journey!

THE RISE OF CREATIVITY

On a slightly different note to finish and away from Creative Nowhere Land. I wanted to talk a little about COVID-19! I’ve tried to stay away from this topic on the blog simply because it’s everywhere and you don’t need me going on about it too. Physically, mentally, financially etc it’s taking a massive toll on everybody in so many ways. As the positive person that I am, I try and see the positives in every situation and the biggest positive that I can see is that… People are thinking creatively!

I’ve seen more people starting new projects, hobbies, blogs, Youtube channels, podcasts, and producing brilliant stuff than ever before. I’ve seen people from all sorts of walks of life, that you may not think of as creatives, thinking creatively! Whether that’s about the logistics of working from home, homeschooling children, exercising, socialising with friends, starting a new hobby, the list goes on. People, despite the stresses that we are all under, are thinking creatively! That can only be a good thing, right?

So I thought I would leave you with something positive and uplifting that highlights the rise of creativity and makes me proud to be born in Birmingham, UK. Proud of my friend and talented artist, Jimmy Davis for voicing this piece beautifully. Also well done to Spark Media and Culture Central for producing this brilliant video!

We will all get through this madness and when we do the comeback will be strong (and not over ZOOM)!