The Art Of Making Garbage

Your cursor is mocking you. Every idea you have feels like absolute mid.

You are trying to work out of a small town like Dryden or Borups Corners, wondering if you actually have any juice left. It’s easy to feel like the only "real" artists are down in Toronto, but honestly, that’s just the brain fog talking. When your creative mindset feels more like a frozen lake than a flowing river, the worst thing you can do is try to power through with sheer grit. That’s how you burn out before you even hit twenty-five, and no cap, we need you for the long run.

Here is the hard truth: you are not a vending machine. You can’t just put in a coffee and expect a masterpiece to pop out. Sometimes the well is just dry because you haven't lived enough recently, or you've been doomscrolling instead of actually feeling your feelings. In the arts sector up here, we tend to romanticize the "struggling loner" vibe, but that’s actually a trap that leads to massive creative blocks. Your worth isn’t tied to your productivity metrics, even if the grant applications make it feel that way.

Try a little Acceptance and Commitment Therapy move. Instead of fighting the block, name it. Tell yourself, "I'm having the thought that I'm a talentless hack." Once you label it as just a thought, it loses its power to gatekeep your peace. It’s called cognitive defusion, and it’s a total game changer for artists. Then, lower the bar until it’s literally on the floor. Write one sentence about a local raven or sketch a lopsided pine tree on a scrap of paper. Making something intentionally "low-stakes" breaks the perfectionist loop that’s keeping you stuck.

Lean into your collective or your small-town circle. Sharing the struggle isn't "cringe," it’s essential for survival in rural arts where the winters are long and the feedback loops are small. When you stop gatekeeping your own failures, you realize everyone else is also just winging it. That shift in your creative mindset—from "I must succeed" to "I am just exploring"—is where the actual growth happens. It allows you to build a healthy arts culture that values the human behind the brush or the laptop.

This isn't just about finishing a project; it’s about building a nervous system that can handle the long haul of a creative life. Resilience isn't a badge you get for suffering; it's the skill of being kind to yourself when things are stagnant. Growth as an artist happens in the quiet, frustrating gaps, not just the highlight reels. Go touch some actual grass or snow, and let the work breathe for a minute.

Northwestern Ontario Arts, Culture and Recreation

Rooted in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario we're exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communitiess together. From creative workshops and local exhibitions to youth activities and cultural events, we support rural artists, strengthen community connection, and celebrate the creative spirit of Northwestern Ontario.

Through community-based arts initiatives, recreation programming, and cultural gatherings, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture fosters creative expression, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in the northern arts sector. Our work connects residents, empowers youth, and builds pride in local talent across rural Northwestern Ontario.

Learn more about our programs, events, and opportunities at Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.