jaded or busy?

jaded or busy?

i pretty much stopped writing songs (like guitar and lyrics) 5 or 6 years ago. i've written several since then, but they were mostly broken heart breakup songs that i never listen to and would never play for anyone. i just popped the headphones on and listened to some beats i've been working on and some new ideas, and i really wasn't inspired or enthused by what i heard. i can imagine the super-funky best beat ever in my head, and then when i go to put it down, it just doesn't translate, or it sounds like a million other beats that were made previously. and i think that's why i stopped writing songs too--i just feel like there are no original chord progressions left and really nothing to say that hasn't been said a million times before. plus i have just a few hours to myself all week. creativity can't be forced...

i think part of the beat making doldrums is lack of new or good drum sounds. i've used most of the ones that i have that i like already... i do plan on raiding the record store on thursday (they're open until 7) and picking up a few new records for some inspiration. and i think some good drum sounds could be had with some more manipulation of the samples i have (eq, pitch/time shift, etc). maybe i've put up too many barriers for myself in terms of what i will and won't use/sample/rehash for my beats. i think mostly it's drum sounds...

if i had ample money and ample time, would i instanly become productive and hapily creative again? am i being too hard on myself with all that's been going on in my life lately? i guess time will tell. in the mean time life brings what it may and i really am enjoying the ride and the struggles. i just long for the days when i could write music and it would feel new to me...