Is there such a thing as woodworkers block?

[MikesWoodShop]

Some days and weeks I will crank out clocks and boxes and gifts left and right and then it happens!! A severe case of woodworkers block is what I like to call it. Most of the time I just can't figure out what to make, nothing seems to appeal to me and then there is today.  It's just one of those days no matter how much patience I have the blades just won't track straight and the wood just doesn't react and move like it should,  that's when I turn the main power off and call it a day. I end up getting to frustrated and wasting more wood than I can afford to.

Anyone else suffer from this condition? ever? 

[m_r_dxn]

I had that very problem today Mike!  I dug through piles of patterns and nothing appealed to me.  Then I drug out all my wood and dug through my scrap piles looking for inspiration, but nothing said "hey...make me, make me!!!"

[Barry]

Mike I know exactly what you mean.  My block comes when I am trying (unsuccessfully) to complete a project.  It is usually a portrait pattern that is tearing out.  I get aggravated and I don't like to start something else until I finish a project.  I have one now that is frustrating me, I need to just put it aside and do something else.
 
Barry

[Barry]

I feel better after my whine session.  Thanks Mike.  I need to remember that a bad day scrolling is better than a good day at work!

Barry

[MikesWoodShop]

Glad to hear I am not the only one!! Knowing I am not the only one that this happens to helps. Thanks for sharing!   That is a great quote a bad day of scrolling is definately better than a good day at work.

[dunk]

We all have those days...Seems like when the weather is iffy so is my attitude...

[cornishpisky]

And then theres those days when everything appeals to you and you just want to cut them all, which one should i cut? can't decide! i'll cut this one! no, this one! or perhaps this one? aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, still end up frustrated and not cuting anything!

[Edgar]

It more frustation than a block. A bad piece of wood, a blade that keeps slipping out of the holder, a complex pattern that keeps lifting of the wood but the enjoyment of cutting keeps me coming back.
Edgar

[tgaspard]

I have to say that I as well have those days!  Before, i go out into the shop, I search through my files on my computer and not find anything that I want to cut.  So, I can go into the shop, look at my filing cabinet full of patterns and not decide what to cut there either.  So, I end up cleaning the shop, or just tinker around with putting finish on some that have been needing it.  LOL.  Then, there are some days where I have 5 or 6 patterns laying in the shop that I just have to cut because I want to.  Then can't decide on which one to do first and when I get that decided I can't decide on what wood to use.  And you would think, that during the winter time you would be able to clear your head in hopes that when the spring gets here you will be over the problem and be ready to cut, but it isn't like that.  What gives?  LOL 

Tonya

[Russ C]

Oh yes. Been there, done that. I usually clean the shop or do tool maintence. And on occasion put a dent in the honey do list to stay out of the dog house. Of course my dog house is my wood shop so it would be like Brer Rabbit, please, please Brer Fox, don't fling me in dat dar brier-patch. LOL 

[GrayBeard]

We used to have a late night talk show host that I chatted with frequently who always said he never trusted a person who didn't have at least two hobbies. Often we would get that discussion going and the feeling among we and the other listeners was that when your interest wanes in one area then doing something else for a while clears the logjam and you return to the original hobby with a renewed interest and vigor.

When I 'hit the wall' in scrolling I move away from it totally for a rime and then I realize I start seeing things that trigger the thought, "Gee, that would make a neat scroll project!"
One of my relaxation tricks is to go wander through the local 'antique' mall looking at all the odds and ends that some 'oldtimer' made and I realize "I could do that and make it as a gift!"
Then it is back to the patterns and blades and away I go.

The block hits almost everyone and it is futile to fight it, just back away and clear the cobwebs so you can see things in a new light without that cloud of sawdust and with renewed interest.

OK, that's the sermon for the day!
Gotta get on the bike and take my ride and then come home and clean the saw table so I can re-wax it and get going on a project for my grandson's graduation!

~~~GrayBeard~~~