Channeling inspiration from the idiocy of society.

Anyone have any advice about getting out of a creative rut?

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Focus....no Newspaper,no Media,no TV (old Movies are ok)
Avoid Newsites in the Internet,Politics Section on GBAtemp maybe too.....
Avoid Social Medias...
If you can use the Phone only for Calls with your beloved People.No SMS/MMS....
If you can,make a Walk with someone you can talk about everything (avoid Covid if possible...)

Listen into good old Music (from your Childhood/Youth maybe) and I said LISTEN not Watching.
Close your Eyes and listen to Nature,if possible..

Visit the Nature,maybe alone and with no "Distractions"....

I wish you a very,very nice and good Time,my Friend.

Sounds like you're stressed.

Go out and breathe some fresh air, maybe a bit of exercise in plain air might help you vet rid of it.
Once you're done doing something outdoors, take shower, eat something good and start doing creative work.

It works for me every time I'm feeling like not doing anything creative.

Also, quality sleep. I just spent 2 days sleeping in order to regulate my circadian rhythm once again.

Also, less internet wouldn't hurt. When I feel like I might get banned for my attitude I just simply cut all internet access until I feel better. Nobody needs to deal with my drama lol.

I try my best not to read or watch the news. it's just too depressing. there's way too much negativity out there.

I've been involved in music for about 19 years, but I haven't played my guitar or bass for about 5 years or so. I just go that depressed/in a rut. I'm probably rusty as hell now. I plan to go back to a guitar instructor, like I did when I was first starting out, to refresh my memory. my first guitar teacher taught me about music theory, how to create chords, etc. I still remember a lot of it, and I have my notes in a folder in my drawer. I'm going to do that again once this covid thing is over.

I've already started exercising again after having not for years, through zoom with a couple trainers. it's one-on-one, so I like it a lot. I was going to go for a walk today for cardio, but I have to wait for the plumber, who could be here at any time.

Yeah, the social construct is pretty messed up. It's all controlled in some way be it corporate, politics, religion, or what have you and we feel like we can't truely be ourselves simply because it's not "socially acceptable". There's a massive divide amongst the masses on how we should live our lives, its only getting bigger, and to me seems idiotic at best. it's pretty depressing and infuriating stuff, I get it.

From what I've come to find is that we are all at fault and no individual can fix the situation. We each need to break the norm and focus on happiness, not status. If we not only share our experiences and opinions, but listen to others to take and provide feedback for the better, then the better will spread. Don't bare the weight of the world on your shoulders, we can share the load and work together to bring a brighter tomorrow. But it all starts with us.

As for the writer's block, everyone is right. Take a break from the media, get some air, or do something else fun for a while. Something to ease your mind. Don't necessarilly force your music but when you get inspiration or are simply pumped on making music, confine yourself in a space with no distractions and create whatever you feel. Let it come and just run with what you make, whatever you're feeling. Even if it's not great at first you can always go back and tweak. I also find it helps to encourage yourself to do it more often even if you don't have that specific inspiration. Add this, rewrite that, change up the structure, fine tune the sound, or write to what you already have. Try just playing around with instruments and you may find drive to create something new. Always try to progress it whenever you can, however you can. It never hurts to have more to work with.

Sorry for the novel, but I feel like this was summarized and wanted to give my thoughts because your post kind of struck a cord in me. I am surrounded by a politics focused family and also work with music in my freetime so I felt I can relate. I hope my words were helpful, DMs always open.

I'm basically trapped in a dark pit if anger and depression, which all said should be a great concept for a dark ambient noise etc. album, right?

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Forget about that. Maybe it's not impossible that 75 years from now someone will care that you were wallowing around in a "dark pit of anger and depression" and managed to produce something memorable, but that's not the way to bet. You only get one shot at this life and if you have any kind of choice in the matter, you probably shouldn't spend it being angry at shadows on the cave wall.

And that's all it is, really: shadows on the cave wall. Outrage drives engagement, and accordingly it's in the best interest of many a content provider to keep as many people as outraged as possible.

I wouldn't focus on background noise & disposable news from any medium, specially things that YOU alone consider as negative or enraging, i would just look elsewhere where i know, i'll draw inspiration from something that i wholly appreciate & hold dear, like music like you've mentioned -i play me some music myself- i don't know what kind of music you're into, but just keep listening to new stuff & discover different genres i'll bet you'll at least like something. To get out of that rut also try to identify what you're lacking is it a mixing problem, a mood/energy of the songs, or is lacking good melodies/arrangements. No matter what don't beat yourself, remember that whatever you'll create will be studied/appreciated maybe not now but to future times.

Take a break. Get away from the comp. go do something, anything other than trying to fix the one that is frustrating you. Breathe. Your brain is rattling try to fix your work and, overclocking itself to death. Breathe.

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I took some of your advice and took a break from that hellhole Twitter and that is already helping some. Got a Wii U to hack and play some games with the kids. Also upgraded my turntable to something besides a shitty Crosley and put on Coil's Ape of Naples album.
I can't exactly avoid the customers at work that annoy me, but taking it one step at a time lol.