Keeping your creativity alive has always been a challenge, but in the era of work from home, where the lines between work life and home life have blurred and where burnout and social disconnection are rising, creativity is at risk. We’ve asked some of the most creative folks we know for advice on how to keep one’s creativity alive.
Telor Henderson
It’s funny because I never saw myself as a highly creative person, but I am a self taught hatter and began hat making about three years ago during the pandemic, so the majority of my journey has been based on trial and error, and part of keeping creativity alive has been to find ways to create solutions when faced with challenges both as an entrepreneur and as a creative. There is also the challenge of producing hats that are trendy yet unique. I love to experience life in a way that stimulates the senses and want those who come in contact with my work to have that same experience in some form or fashion, so that’s ultimately what keeps those creative juices flowing. Read More>>
Dj Dontey
I keep my creativity alive by always learning new things and trying new ideas. When it comes to working on music and djing you have to think outside of the box sometimes. Sometimes I may try to make a beat using different instruments and sounds or make it in a different bpm than I usually would. I like to experiment with mixing different songs and genres together that usually wouldn’t be done by many people. Read More>>
Angellic Richardson
I keep my creativity alive by following inspirational people & pages on social media. Those who think outside the box, aren’t scared to take chances, want to be set apart. Sometimes I have my own creativity block, something like writers block. All I have to do is scroll my timeline & get some of that spark back! Read More>>
David C. Baker
I maintain a wholly separate work and personal life. I expect my work life to afford the money to invest in hobbies, and I expect to keep a fence around my time commitments at work so that they do not interfere. When there’s insufficient time or money to pursue my loves outside work, it pisses me off. And in choosing different forms of leisure, they must be totally consuming so that I do NOT think about work. Read More>>
Jamya Ricks
Inspiration and my imagination play a big part in keeping my creativity alive. My mind always opens up as I’m around things that are interesting or unique. The smallest details help channel my creative side from colors to patterns; it’s like I’m taking a look into someone else’s world. Inspiration is everywhere and I’m happy to be able to bring something new to the scene. Read More>>
Jason Kloess
Staying inspired and creative is really hard, especially when running a business (or multiple) and getting in the weeds of finance, marketing, logistics, etc. I used to be a touring musician and in a band for nearly a decade, but even playing and performing each night left minimal time to continuously create. For me I have to time block and be very intentional, which at first can feel forced, but once you get into a habit and routine it starts to naturally flow. Read More>>
Richie Schwab
Richie Schwab, internationally recognized as Akuarium, is a fervent creative, radiating boundless originality through a dynamic fusion of inspiration and exploration. His passionate quest for fresh perspectives propels him into the deep realms of unique art forms, cultures, and experiences. Richie’s steady dedication to collaboration knows no limits as he relentlessly seeks new artists to amplify his impact on the world stage. Read More>>
Aubrey Williams
Keeping my creativity alive is a challenge amid the busy season. It can be really hard to take the time to plan creative shoots when my schedule is full of clients. I like to use a weekday that isn’t as popular, maybe a Monday, and plan something fun to shoot with models. It is important to do creative photoshoots to help relieve burnout and keep things interesting! Additionally, it is always good for business to have some fun creative photos in my portfolio. If I don’t have the time to plan something, I try to attend styled shoots or content days as well. Read More>>
Tylan Corley
There are many ways how I keep my creativity alive. I keep my creativity alive because I keep myself busy. I keep myself busy by making bracelets and I just started making bags out of Shien yarn (thick yarn). I get the idea of doing these things from Pinterest. Pinterest is a website that you can get ideas from. I’ve been making bracelets for a year, maybe. I sell my bracelets. I haven’t got the opportunity to sell my bags because I just started making them. I only have one purse that I have made but I’m going to the store to get more yarn. I am also planning on writing another book. Those are some ways I keep my creativity alive. Read More>>
Kendrick Scar
To me, creativity is a state of mind. I must upkeep a certain threshold within myself in order for me to “tap in” to my imagination. Yeah, I can create something simple and easy to the mass, but it would never resonate with me… and if it doesn’t resonate within me. I have no attachment to that piece, whatever form of art that is (writing, singing, performing). Ways I notice my burnouts and kind of steer myself away from that dead end is through meditation and breathing. Read More>>
Moksha Rao
Variety is the spice of life! As someone who has always juggled multiple things at once (and wouldn’t have it any other way), I keep creativity alive in my life by finding not just one but numerous outlets to express myself. Growing up in a family of artists and performers, I’ve always been drawn to design and dance from a very young age. It’s no surprise that years later, I find myself as a Product Designer at The Weather Channel and also a freelance Performing Artist specializing in Indian fusion dance. I feel both careers celebrate my creative interests and there’s never a dull moment. Read More>>
Aman Singh
I believe my creativity depends on a few factors like the number of films I watch and study the creativity sides & other patterns of it more like art, lighting, framing etc. Moving on, Real-life stories of people around me inspire me and keep my creativity alive 10 times more. I make sure that I hear the complete experience and take the keynotes. Lastly being on set is the major learning where my brain is absolutely active to mix up with people from different fields and departments and notice how they bring creativity to life in their departments. Read More>>
Amber August
I do so by prioritizing that part of me. When I’m experiencing a busy week, I try not to let the fun and random story ideas or snippets of a song pass me by. Whatever I come up with, even if it’s brief and unformed, I make sure to write it down, to acknowledge its existence. Read More>>
Gable
I have learned that creativity is not something I can control or force. However, I have also learned that creativity pulses through my being and has been one of the only consistencies in my life. Creativity is so beautiful because it is not contained to one medium. For example, one day I might feel like singing and playing guitar. The next day I might be all about watercolors and drawing. The next day I might try to crochet. The next day I will write a short story. The next day I really focus on expressing myself through my clothes. Read More>>
Sai Jarvis
I always take a trip back to what made me excited about music and being a DJ. I listen to the songs that inspired me and watch old music videos to get that vibe and feeling again. This always helps keep me inspired and motivated. Read More>>
Umm-e-hani Anis
Creativity is like a muscle honestly, it needs to constantly be exercised and if its over exerted, you can get tired. I found that when I was in corporate, my creative muscle was not being used at all and I was constantly craving something creative. Once I started my business, there are some weeks where I am pulled into working towards a creative project and at the end of that I can start to get exhausted. It is important to rest and recharge when this happens. I also always find that if I am in a rut, changing the place that I am in can also help. Read More>>
Ms. Pat
Keeping creativity alive is like tending to a flame. Feed it with curiosity, fuel it with passion and it will burn brightly in everything you do.
For me, creativity is a dynamic process that requires constant nurturing and continuous effort. It is a journey with highs & lows. Staying creative involves opening up my imagination, fostering inspirations and maintaining a mindset that encourages innovation. Read More>>
Sandra Davis
I keep my creativity alive by trying new processes and opening myself to what is happening around me. Tulips blooming in the spring, a political story as well as what is happening in my own family. My creativity shows up in how I dress, cook and create art. The art I create is based on collage and mixed media applications, using what is on hand. For example, my mother is experiencing dementia and my response to that challenge is a portrait that include some of her completed crossword puzzles. Other work has been a response to the political environment like Black Lives Matter, Women’s rights and other activism topics. Read More>>
YM
I come from a family of creatives everything we wanted my family created in house . My family is what keep’s my creativity consistent. The goal is to own everything so I never have to depend on a soul. Read More>>
Jonnie Williams
I keep my creativity alive buy finding inspiration throughout my life. That could come from the music I listen to and get lost in. The people around me.. my friends who do cool shit or spark a conversation that makes me think. My family and kids that make me think forward and for the future. Movies and photos I come across or a book I might have read. My childhood memories and the nostalgic moments that’s take me back to an imaginative place. All these things are and what play a role into keeping my creativity alive. Read More>>
Summer Lajoie
My creativity thrives through my practice of daily rituals of nature-based mindfulness. By bringing my attention to the More Than Human World in ways that allow me to observe the landscape around me and the landscape within me. Read More>>
Marco Beria
I have always been involved in the creative arts. Today, as a painter, I keep my creativity alive by exposing myself to many inspirational sources, such as music, books, films, theater, museums and galleries. However, my creative life really began during my four years of studying theater at The National School of Theater in Caracas, Venezuela. Prior to that, it was very difficult for me to focus my creative energy due to my hyperactive nature. I remember that, as a teenager, my mother required me to take painting lessons, and I have been painting ever since. Read More>>
Joshua Dillard
As a content creator and entrepreneur, I know how hard it can be to be bubbling with so many new ideas and wanting to see each and every one of them come to life. This is something I’ve struggled with in business: the gift of being “good” at so many things. Read More>>
BabyRuth Tangog
I try out new things, and avoid always returning to the same solutions I have used in the past. In addition to challenging myself ,I also need to create my own opportunities for creativity. As a little girl I enjoyed arts and crafts, implementing my creative mind into a photobooth captured my interests to express my art and experience. There is something magical about capturing moments in a small enclosed space, where people can let loose and be themselves. Read More>>
Britt Lamelia
My creativity is my best friend and has always been since I discovered it at a young age. Being an only child my imagination of course was one of the best things for me; being animated and artsy came in handy when there was no one around. Discovering my creativity helped me develop a healthy relationship with words and visuals. Being able to tell and write stories that would intrigue my little readers and shock my mother, was always a plus for me. Whether I was alone or with a group of people I always knew I had my creativity. Read More>>
Shameka S. Erby
I’m a writer, so the number one way I keep my creativity alive is reading. You’d be surprised how easy it for books to transport you, to lift you and put you inside people’s minds. Books are windows into another world. I also love connecting with other writers, and people watching. People watching is actually kind of how I got started, lol. I used to see people walking by and imagine where they were going, who they were meeting, and how they were feeling. I could create a whole fictional world around someone walking down the street. So sometimes it’s good to get back to my roots, per se, and do that. But I’ve been at this so long nearly anything can become a story. Read More>>
Mitchell “KMA” Campbell
One of the things I’ve been consistent on throughout my music career is taking time to just do/enjoy regular life. I’ve picked up a few hobbies like sewing for instance, just to learn a skill. I’ve also tapped into to just being present in my family & friends lives. For me it’s all about perspective. There are times when I’m “in my zone” and that competitiveness and relentlessness can can block my judgement. That’s not a great place for “Creativity”. Read More>>
Kalli Lebaron
One of my favorite aspects of owning Joy Pops is the creativity that’s comes with creating the business. coming up with different flavors, marking post, and menu designs are all great creative outlets for me. however, it can be hard to constantly coming up with new ideas when you’ve been doing it for a couple years. sometimes I can get stuck in my head and can get used to doing the same routine/ same way of running my business. Read More>>
DAngelo Garza
I honestly just keep having fun and being myself! Making music is such a fun thing to do especially when it’s a way to connect with other people locally and globally. When I’m getting involved with music whether that’s recording, writing, or even listening, I feel at peace. So whenever I create music I’m always at peace, and that’s what keeps me going in my music career. I’ve made so much friends through music than I have being in school. It’s just a great feeling connecting with people and building those bonds. Read More>>
Joshua Whitaker
I find that trusting my creative instincts keep me sharp. I started doing piano videos because I didn’t have a teacher. I wanted to play songs that were exciting, interesting and that would captivate people. This came from being curious, challenging myself and asking, “where can this go?” I was just paying attention to what was drawing me. I practiced piano everyday until I got it. I kept that desire alive through watching other musicians on YouTube. I would incorporate things I liked into my own videos to help me create my own vibe. Read More>>
Zhongyang Lyu
To keep my creativity alive, I actively seek out opportunities to challenge myself and explore new creative avenues within my field. One experience that vividly illustrates my commitment to nurturing creativity was when I had the privilege of editing a Coca-Cola commercial which is currently screening at all the Cinemark theaters in 5,883 screens across the U.S. While editing this project, I wanted to ensure that the commercial was not only captured the essence of the brand but also left a lasting impact on the audience. Read More>>
Huilin Gui
I believe that every creative idea emerges from a fusion of existing knowledge and fresh insights. To ensure a consistent flow of inspiration, I immerse myself in books, films, and music that resonate with my interests. As an illustrator, I cherish my time in bookstores and libraries, reading as many picture books as possible. This practice lays a foundation of knowledge, often sparks new ideas when I’m in search of inspiration. Moreover, it’s crucial to allow your brain to rest regularly. When it’s constantly running on overdrive, generating new ideas becomes a challenge. Read More>>
Ava Shong
I think everyone has a unique definition of what creativity means to them, and mine comes from mostly the acts of healing and empathy. I have a very intense emotional sensitivity level innately, which means I feel a lot more intensely compared to others, and furniture has become my recent form of art to put forward ideas about empathy and self-sufficiency. With my heightened sensitivity to emotions, I am often inspired by forms of human interaction and the emotional residue, whether it came from films, my own experiences and/or my friends, some strangers, etc. Read More>>
Darrin Kobetich
I’ve found in keeping creative, it helps to focus on other artistic ventures such as playing a different instrument or learning to build a guitar, which the latter is a very recent thing for me. I’m also always interested in new music for inspiration as well revisiting old favorites and rediscovering musicians I might have missed in my early developement. Read More>>
BKING
I keep my creativity alive by simply just living my life and continuously experiencing new things. I find myself having writers block when I don’t get any new experiences to help shape and make a new perspective. Read More>>
Derek Jameson
It’s always important to know that no one else in the world has your message. Your individual voice is needed to create change. That voice can come through the things we create on all levels. Even when I have fear around stepping into the unknown or worried about judgement, I always remember that I have something to express, to create, and to help this world evolve into higher states of being. I keep the channel open to the energy that wants to come through me. I listen to myself. I trust my inner Being. I take action. Read More>>
Alex Girshfeld
Creativity is a key part of my work. My company, Indestroom, is the leading worldwide escape room supplier, specializing in the production of escape rooms, puzzles, props, decorations, and interactive museum exhibits. Every project we undertake is unique, which is why my team and I are always challenged to generate fresh, creative, and vibrant ideas. Read More>>
Lisa D. Adams
I desire so much more out of life which causes my expectations to peak. My belief is as long as I have breath in my body I can have the desires of my heart. I am a person of vision. Once the vision appears I begin to jot down the details of what I see then I imagine the manifestation of what I visualize. I work for what I want. Of course, there are times when things do not go as planned but that’s just an opportunity to regroup. Read More>>
Mikey Wells
One of the strengths I possess is the ability to remain in a creative space. Other than working on my own material, I have had the pleasure of creating for others. I am repeatedly blessed with the opportunity to bring visions to life by way of mixing and mastering songs and creating promotional content for my clients. Working with other artists and visionaries has afforded me the opportunity to remain consistent in my creativity. Read More>>
Miranda Torres
Out of all of the numerous challenges there are while being an artist, that is the most consistent trial…
I find myself constantly questioning my own visions, mental state and overall meaning as a creative. Am I creating something for me? Is that enough? Am I creating enough for others? Is that okay, if not? Am I creative enough at all? Read More>>
Ali DEERAN
Fostering creativity is a journey that I hold close to my heart. It begins with an insatiable curiosity, a deep-seated yearning to explore the uncharted realms within my imagination. This curiosity is the ember that ignites my creative fire, compelling me to ask questions and propelling me forward in a relentless pursuit of answers. Equally vital is the courage to step beyond the comfort of the known, where the familiar gives way to the vast unknown. It’s in this space that I’ve discovered new experiences and calculated risks as profound catalysts for innovation, and it stirs a passion deep within me. Read More>>
