Staying creative outside university and classes can definitely be a struggle. So much of our creative work is self-motivated, and it can be difficult to pull yourself out of a ‘slump’ when you find yourself burnt out by assignments and the stresses of living away from home. There's no single, surefire way to fix this, to magically force yourself to be creative, to have that bolt of inspiration, but here are some things I do to help avoid the trap of doomscrolling boredom.
Mind and body
One of my favorite things about moving to AUB is the area – not only is the beach a great place to walk and wander across, but close to campus there's Slades Farm and Talbot Heath, both which are some of my favourite walks to interrupt a tense essay writing session or just to clear your head and get a breath of fresh air. As artists, I find it’s so important to keep that natural connection, not only for your physical health but your emotional wellbeing – it truly makes such a difference.
There's also loads on the doorstep of Bournemouth, being a part of the Jurassic Coast, so you really can’t get enough! I really do recommend running into the sea the second the sun comes out; it does make for a refreshingly invigorating start or end to a day.
A couple other things I do to get myself out of a creative rut is read. It can be difficult to start a book I find, but once I start it can be a great way to relax and avoid screens. I also go to the gym. There are many around town, but I personally go to the BH Live branch which has a pool, as well as classes included in its student membership like yoga, meditation, pilates and zumba, which I use to help get my body moving and to calm my mind, particularly in deadline season when the pressure really builds.
Days (and nights) out!
Sometimes, the best thing to do is just a day out with friends! A tried and tested way to improve your mood I’ve found, and in my time exploring here are some of my favourite things to do.
First up, the arcade by the pier is a sure bet – close to town and often fairly cheap, it's always a good time for some childhood nostalgia and good competition. One of my new 'secret gem' spots is Westbourne. Only a short bus ride from town centre, it’s full of lovely coffee shops, charity shops and all manner of exciting, whimsical small businesses such as crystal stores, gift shops, bookstores and such.
One of the highlights is the Colosseum Cinema & Bar. It's the smallest cinema in the UK with a wonderfully quirky shop front and bar. Going down a floor to the basement shows you rooms full of armchairs and sofas, with large screens playing all manner of interesting movies – usually some great throwback hits! The staff are so friendly and the tickets are cheaper than the Odeon in town, so it’s really my new favourite place, much comfier and more intimate than your typical cinema. The town centre has a fair few gems itself, like Bobby’s Emporium and Trove, which are adorable markets selling truly beautiful handmade things, like jewellery, stickers, cards and all kinds of trinkets.
Particularly, nights out in Bournemouth can be very exciting. My favourite bars to frequent are O'Neill's, with its unbeatable student prices Sunday–Friday, and DYMK (Does Your Mother Know) which is the most fabulous bar, with Drag Queens hosting karaoke and some great events such as Rocky Horror nights, Emo Night, drag shows, etc. On top of having two Wetherspoons and loads of other cool bars/clubs, such as Sharkey’s, a pool and darts bar, the nightlife is always exciting!
Collaboration and friendships
One of the best ways to stay creative and encourage your own work I’ve found is to share it with friends. Finding a supportive group of people who uplift you and fill you with passion for your own art is so, so important, and something I found easily at AUB, with everyone around me having similar aspirations of creative pursuits.
Getting together to study together, create art together, give feedback and collaborate on projects is exactly why I came to AUB. I love being a model for my Photography friends, an actor for my Film friends, a reference for my Animation friends, or my friends helping me run lines for an upcoming play – on top of going to galleries to support my Fine Art friends. There's always room for cross-course collaboration and when I’m stuck in a creative rut, making the most of this is what can help get me out of it.
Conclusion
The best thing to do is to be kind to yourself. It can be so difficult when surrounded by amazing artists who seem to all be creating these amazing things and working so hard, to compare yourself to this – I certainly have.
When you’re in an unfamiliar environment, making new friends and often being far from home, staying afloat is hard. Relaxing and giving yourself time to breathe is important, so if some days you sit in your bed watching Netflix all day – hey, we’ve all been there! I really would urge you to make the most of your university experience, to explore and have fun doing so. Find your own favourite spots and add to this list with your friends. Stay creative out there!
