Recently, I had a conversation with someone at a job interview for a leadership position in a creative community. This candidate happened to be years older than I am, and I found so much wisdom in their words.

Specifically, as we discussed our career goals and life journeys, they said, “But I have to remind myself that I am creative.”

This got me thinking about how I got into a creative lull of my own. I spent about a week and a half feeling severely unmotivated. I struggled with writing articles, developing ideas in my classes and even deciding which music artists to listen to.

For those of you who don’t know, I am a theatre performance major, and my whole curriculum revolves around creating things. So, I’m constantly reinventing myself through fictional characters. I also work on short films, help my peers and give them feedback on their passion projects, which range from plays to music to articles.

Just like any other passion you’ve had for a long time, it can become consuming and feel like a chore. I find that once you start performing certain ways, putting out music or films for others instead of yourself, the joy and satisfaction start to fade rapidly.

For example, when you’re in the car with someone, and you’ve only been playing music you think they enjoy, you miss out on so much more enjoyment.

No matter what, you have to set time aside for your creative side.

I understand the difficulty of taking time out of your schedule to put it aside for yourself and your creative endeavors. Everyone moves at different paces, and it’s tough to find meaning in the little things you do when you get stuck in a routine.

I am personally guilty of moving way too fast in life and not finding little joys in creativity like I used to. I should start to find new ways to take more pleasure out of my classes. I should draw more doodles on my notes. We should all get back in touch with genuine creativity that fulfills one another.

At a young age, my mom always encouraged my creative side. No dream was ever too big or unrealistic. This is part of the reason I chose to study acting in college—all the motivations that I tend to forget about, especially when I am in a place of stagnant activity.

So, as an adult, I’ve realized the childlike wonder I used to feel when discovering new hobbies has faded, and now, I want to reconnect with it.

Again, college has presented me with new ways to self-discovery. Ultimately, no one else is going to be there to motivate you like yourself. It’s up to you to get back in touch with your creativity and improve who you are as a person.

Blair Bernard is a 21-year-old theater performance major from Lafayette, La.