Need some advice. Thread

I used Source SDK years ago for around 1 - 2 years and made my own counter-strike 1. / Half-Life 2 and started a teamfortress 2 map but they were nothing compared to what advanced users could make. I stopped doing level design due to college work and then university and the games I currently work on in the projects do not use source so I am not able to use Source in class and learn with it so when I get home I end up spending all my time with work and never learning source level design which is what I want to do.

My current problem with level design which I guess a lot of people have, is I struggle with creativity at times, so putting a design on paper can be a challenge to me so I end up making a level and getting stuck since I have no development or design work to use which is my own fault.

Was wondering if I should join a project on here but I have no idea where to find projects and it would be best for me to start out small. So do any of you know where I should look for a project where I can learn, and the members wont be too hard since it isn't a serious project.

Sorry for the wall of text but some background is good to let you guys know where I am at.

Ive had the struggle with lack of creativity many many times. And the lack of free time as well. Im currently working on a hl2: ep2 mod. It's a small horror mod, I'm currently the only man working on the level(s), since our music composer is too busy with... Well, composing music. (He's got great experience in hammer)
You seem like a very decent person. And I like meeting new people!

There's currently no content on ModDB, as we've just started with the actual development.
I think it'd be good if you joined a small team like ours!

We're currently with 3 people: A mapper, a coder and a music composer. Two level designers can't hurt... Right?

You should just add me on steam, so we can discuss things and I might be able to show you some content
My steam ID is on my profile

Thanks for the reply dude, I added you on steam so will chat to you soon. I suppose I can give it a shot since it sounds like fun

Allrighty :3

I've discovered the best way to make a TF2 map is to start making a map that, gameplay-wise is functional and balanced. Once you do that, and have the basics setup (maybe even make a template map to work from), then its so much easier to come up with a theme.