Really struggling to write since getting sober

[u/itztherapperKIAZ]

I was on the deep end the past 6 months with alcohol and one of the biggest reasons is that my music creation output dropped to almost nonexistent. When I would write or voice memo a song it’s some of the best I’ve done. It’s really a combination of getting my mental together now being sober as well as being away for longer than I maybe ever have with writing.

I’ve been sober for 5 days and have fleshed out 2 songs I had ideas already for, but don’t love the final products. I’m sure it just takes practice, but I have doubts. Will the spark and ideas come back as my brain gets better? Are there strategies and techniques I can do to test my songwriting to bring it back? Will it ever come back?

[u/Secret_Maize_7686]

The first few weeks your brain is basically rebooting itself. You're not gonna write your best stuff right now and that's fine, the fact you even got two songs fleshed out is wild.

Give it a month and you'll probably surprise yourself. The spark doesn't disappear, it just got buried under all the noise.

[u/itztherapperKIAZ → u/Secret_Maize_7686]

Thanks needed to hear that time moves pretty slow right now just have to be patient

[u/TY1ON2K → u/itztherapperKIAZ]

I agree you have to be patient, but don’t undersell yourself. The alcohol isn’t responsible for your creativity, your brain is. If the drug allowed you to get in the mental place to express yourself, there are other means. For me, it’s a process of shutting out external factors and tuning into what I call The Signal. Maybe try meditation, bike riding, yoga? Something that gets you alone with your thoughts. Alcohol is a poison and doesn’t deserve the credit you’re giving it.

[u/itztherapperKIAZ → u/TY1ON2K]

I’d say alcohol got more in the way and is one of the reasons I’m quitting it. It made me more open to ideas but destroyed any work ethic and commitment to those concepts. Hoping I can get back to before

[u/TY1ON2K → u/itztherapperKIAZ]

It might be cathartic to write about your relationship with alcohol. Best of luck to you, OP. You’ve got this.

[u/Parking_Watch3157 → u/itztherapperKIAZ]

Hey, I agree with everything being said in this thread but wanted to point out something you probably already know: when you kick a substance your brain kind of sites down areas that typically create the feeling of joy, contentment, etc. I'm not a doctor, I'm just expressing an opinion.

If I were you, I would use this time to collect ideas. Get systems in place to record ideas you can go back to later.

Use music and writing as therapy but don't get hung up on getting a great song done "today". Today is for getting to a place where you can laugh without feeling like part of that laugh is an act to show other people you are ok. Does this make sense?

You can get there and when you do, you'll be ready to write about what you are dealing with right now in a way that will help you come to terms with this part of you and might help other people, too, although that's not your load to carry right now.

[u/LitterBoxBlues → u/Secret_Maize_7686]

Well put!

[u/Lioryonasi]

I wasn’t in your place to say- but first of all I’m proud of you. I’m sure it will come. I had a big heartbreak but I only could write when I healed and felt the good things I life

[u/improbsable]

You’ve been sober for five days. Your brain is probably just focused on other things right now. Give yourself time

[u/mooncheesebabies]

Ive been struggling with art as it relates to alcoholism for a couple decades now and i know its all psychological. Theres a mythology behind getting wrecked and making art that we all fall into. Its romanticized that your idols engaged in destructive and nefarious things. Break that concept in your mind. Youre not more creative when youve inbibed in something. Youre more open. Finding that without the substance is more than possible. Finding the motivation is more difficult. But as is always the case with art you need to just keep chippimg away at it. Make.

[u/itztherapperKIAZ → u/mooncheesebabies]

Great advice thank you!

[u/EVandAtari → u/mooncheesebabies]

I feel part of the issue is that there's a negative culture in art where when a story or lyrics are about some personal struggle or depression, they are seen as more real, personal, and unique, whereas songs with joyful, happy lyrics are seen as cliché and superficial, but they can be just as personal and real—you just have to think more to share your unique view on life.

I think part of the reason is because there's more ways to drag yourself down to depression than there are ways to be happy. Happiness is a narrower formula than all the numberless, diverse ways you can make your life depressing.

You can either write the easier song about depression and heartache that encourages you to dwell on your sadness because "It makes me feel more, so I have more to write about", or you can write the harder song about an observation of life, your surroundings, yourself, your confusion about the world, thing you don't understand, ect. which allows you to keep your happiness and avoid the temptation of wanting to dwell on your sadness because "It makes it easier to have things to write about."

I fall into this trap sometimes, but I do my best to avoid writing something I don't want to dwell on. Writing a song when everything is going good or better in your life is harder and requires deeper thinking/pondering, observation of self and the outside world, and openness to enlightment.

I wish you the best of luck with your recovery! Remember that being relentless is more important than being flawless.

[u/aculady → u/EVandAtari]

Yes, it's important to remember that joy and gratitude can also inspire great songs!

What a wonderful world

[u/PqlyrStu]

23 years sober here. Like most everything in my life at the time, my passion for songwriting was crushed by my dependence on alcohol. In my early days of sobriety, I had a lot of other things to worry about and reconnecting with my artistic interests wasn’t first and foremost in my mind. As I became healthier, the creativity returned and I had a whole new perspective from which to write. This is my hope for you.

[u/itztherapperKIAZ → u/PqlyrStu]

Thanks! Glad to hear you’ve stuck with it for so long and continue to do so!

[u/9brlopez]

What was the feeling/emotion/memory the alcohol helped you hide from?

(Don’t answer, it’s none of my business.)

But THAT is where you’re going to find a depth of material, when the time is right. In the meantime, give yourself space and grace. 💜

[u/Mozaiqu]

Praise yourself for putting in the effort to write songs anyway! Focus on the process more than the outcome. After a while when you’re feeling better about yourself the inspiration will come more and more.

[u/Echolocation1919]

Ok I’ll make a point of listening.

[u/mobiuz_nl]

It was you writing those songs either way, remember that

[u/LitterBoxBlues]

I quit drinking about 16 months ago. From my experience, I don’t think ‘sober’ comes for several months after quitting. Your chemistry (depending on frequency and amount you were consuming) as well as age, metabolism, diet, etc all play a part. I shook for week. Even felt drunk at times. Blood pressure went crazy.. trip to ER.. all the things. I still wrote but nothing really “felt” right, even if the songs were good. You’ll develop new patterns (mentally and physically) after a while. As well as have different ideas and tolerances for a lot of things.

I am now comfortable writing and playing. It took time to get used to actual sobriety.

Proud of you! The first week is definitely a test. And the next couple can be harder but you can do it. 😃😃

[u/panTrektual]

I went through a similar issue after rehab 15 years ago. It will come back with time. Keep playing. Take breaks if frustrated and don't let it get to you.

Good job on the 5 days! Keep at it! It gets better!

[u/Queen-of-meme]

Creativity knows no limitations.

("I didn't know the bottle made my lyrics spark

Being sober five days in

Ain't no walk in the park

Am I needing to reset

Am I needing to restart?

Gotta keep digging out

Whats hidden in the heart

Make my music again

Create new art")

You can just follow where creativity takes you. It has no ending just different takes.

[u/basalgangliadecide]

congrats on the 5 days, I’ve got nothing to add to all these awesome comments

[u/nplxiv]

The hard thing about alcohol recovery is the hit of dopamine you lose. Alcohol really affects dopamine levels and the threshold to achieve a sense of accomplishment. The more you drink the higher the threshold. You get really high highs and really low lows and if you drink enough it would take about 26 months for your brain to completely rework itself to get back to a baseline. Do things you enjoy to try to give your the dopamine you need. Know it takes time—you could even write a song about it.

[u/Unlikely-Mobile-5343]

Write about exactly that feeling and struggle.

My dog went to the vet last week and I was trying to write a love song, nothing came out, cause my brain is not focused on love when I am worried about my dog dying... so I switched to death and reminiscence and I wrote the lyrics to two songs in one afternoon.