The muse can be fleeting. We've probably all been through dry patches. But keep in mind that if you really love something, you'll come back to it. Sometimes taking a break is a good thing too.
I recall a dry spell that really had me worried. So much of my identity is wrapped up in music, that when I wasn't doing it I wondered: "If I'm not about making music, then just who am I anyway?!" It was weird. Sometimes you can't push the river. Fortunately it ended, & I became inspired again.
Sometimes we have to change gears. It can get old doing the same thing year after year -you can get that "been there, done that" feeling, & it just doesn't thrill you anymore. Taking on new challenges can be the best thing to get you rolling again.
One inspiring challenge for me was when I took on a high profile gig doing a live improv soundscape for a dance piece that was comprised only of sounds I extracted from a recording of a monologue made by each dancer as the piece started. It was mixed in quad to four speakers encircling the dancers & audience. I had never done anything quite like it before, & I had about a month to figure it out for a gig that was to be performed seven times. It really challenged me, & I enjoyed working out all the methods to make it work.
It also re-focused my attention back on surround mixing, & now that what I primarily do: mix in quad. So I have all kinds of fun figuring out how to do the things I have in my head. It can be frustrating (when will Live support surround???), but also really fun!
Also deadlines are not to be underestimated in their power to focus us on results!
Of course computers can suck even on a good day -play other instruments, take a walk & sing in the park. You know, just musical notes in the air, that's all. It's refreshing.
