One of the most challenging aspects of creative work is keeping your creativity alive. If only it was as easy as taking a nap or giving your creative muscles some rest, but as countless creatives have shared with us, keeping one’s creativity alive is something that requires effort and intention. Below, we’ve shared some of those perspectives, stories and advice.
Brianna Kilgore
Beyond my creativity just being a part of me, I think I keep it alive by being attentive to the ideas that communicate with me, whenever they do. I try my best not to sit on what I want to do. I try to just go for it! Read more>>
Tim Bennett
There are certainly times when I’m feeling uninspired, creatively burnt-out or stretched-too-thin and I truly need a break, but mostly, I’ve found those are excuses for not wanting to endure the misery of challenging myself to dig deep and push through a block. I think it’s important to show up daily to the job, punch-in and do the work. Read more>>
Amy Anthony
I love this question as it covers more than creativity. I think the question also covers other points such as finding purpose and risk taking. Over the years I’ve found curiosity is the key, including exploring, saying yes to situations, trying something new. Being curious about the world around me, knowing I don’t have all of the answers! I try to keep my mind open to new experiences. Read more>>
Jennifer Ridel
Endless and often, my curiosity is the primary driver for keeping my creativity flowing. There’s *always* a story- whether we’re in Beverly Hills, Silverlake or far flung corners of the world, I very much want to know more. I tend to research spiral and deep dive into the history of the spaces, places and the people that occupy them-kind of like anthro treasure-hunting, really. Read more>>
Bud Hird
We typically turn to nature to find our newest ideas. We just launched a small aquatic series t-shirt line that is doing very well but we had two trade shows coming up and our customers are always looking for new designs. We knew that we could expand the aquatic line but just needed inspiration. A recent trip to Cape Cod to go whale watching did the trick. Read more>>
Seth Young
It’s honestly just the sheer joy of wanting to do art and improve. I find that when I push myself to learn more and go out of my comfort zone, is when most improvements are made. I also try to have a childlike wonder and love of art. To always learn and draw cool and interesting things. Read more>>
Shadab Wajih
For me nothing fuels creativity more than inspiration. I am sure if I were to be placed in a vacuum for a while it will eventually start diminishing my ideas. Every movie I watch, video game I play, song I listen to directly contributes to my ideas. It doesn’t even have to translate to the same medium. Read more>>
Dante Plush
I think I keep my creativity alive by continuing to pursue my interests despite my age. I’m 30 years old now and I feel like most people my age have this mentality of needing to act their age and acting your age at 30 to them means going to bed at 8pm, not going out for a night on the town anymore, and not being open to try new things, and because I refuse to embrace to that mentality, I think people often tend to look down on me as being “immature” or “extra”, especially when I propose big ideas. Read more>>
Shawn Harris
For me, being creative often implies being imaginative. My creativity goes hand in hand with imagination and a desire to share ideas with others. Me imagining without an outlet may make me a bit of a day dreamer. Creativity mixed with imagination becomes something much more, art has the possibility of intimacy with complete strangers. Short answer, I keep my creativity alive by listening to my imagination. Read more>>
Kristi Darner
I have had the privilege of being a full time artist for almost four years now. During this time, I have been able to come up with new ways and stumbled on old habits that keep my creativity alive. Spending time with creative people, trying new mediums and slow- motion multitasking. Read more>>
Ray Zhou
I’m very interested in learning about people working in different fields, including artists like architects, fashion designers, painters, cellists. And individuals commonly encountered in daily life, bartenders, cashiers, or a geography teacher. Everyone has their own stories, and these narratives, even if not immediately forming a complete story, are noted in my memo for future. Read more>>
Tony Metric
I like to discover new artists around the world, trying to understand how they make their songs. It helps me stay motivated and creative. Also, I work out every single day, which helps me a lot in building unbreakable mental resilience. Because it transfers into every other area of my life, in this case, creativity. Read more>>
Terrence Huggins
One of the key elements and routine things that has helped me along the way is in taking on more meditation and reflection throughout the day to clear my mind. I’ve learned that in doing so, it definitely helps with my creative process. Read more>>
Jojo Turkson
To God be the glory, that i am able to keep doing what i do. One way that i have been able to keep my creativity alive and going is “always creating”. I believe that creativity never ends, the more you keep at it the better you become. By so doing it has kept me on the right truck by always applying everything that comes to mind as an idea into practice. Read more>>
Dina Thomas
For me, life is all about balance. And that has been a really difficult trajectory to navigate especially when you’re working through two different careers and have two young children. I used to apologize for wanting to divide my time towards all the things that means something to me. That, for some reason that would make me less successful at all of them. Read more>>
Kristina Libby
For a long time, I used to say I’m creative, but I’m not like a CREATIVE. I thought of creatives in all caps as people whose job title included the word creative, or artist, maybe writer. And I was intimidated by what I perceived to be their superior creativity. Read more>>
Verô Souza
Keeping my creativity alive is all about balancing work with activities that refresh and inspire me. I often take breaks to enjoy nature, which helps clear my mind. Learning new things, whether through reading or interacting with other creatives, always brings fresh ideas. Personal projects are important too; they allow me to experiment freely, which can be really refreshing. But the key is balance. Regular breaks and looking after my own well-being by prioritizing self-care are crucial for keeping my creativity at its best. Read more>>
Sheila Dunne
I never considered myself a traditionally creative person, as I associated the word with my artistic ability…or rather lack thereof. But over the years, I’ve come to view creativity more wholly as one’s ability to think outside the box, solve problems uniquely, and produce novel ideas, products or services. Inherently, this is key to an entrepreneur’s success. Read more>>
Leslie King
I keep my creativity alive by constantly finding inspiration from life, and the world around me. It’s kind of a cheat code. Life doesn’t stop. It’s continuously presenting you with different things and situations. So, I reflect off my new experiences, interactions, and find ideas. Some inspire me, and therefore allows me to keep my creativity alive. Read more>>
Katie Cowden
For me, the absolute best way to inspire myself is to go to a new city and just walk around. I recently spent the holidays in New Orleans, and my phone is bursting with photos of front porches, graffiti, graveyards, art galleries, flowers, and more. I can see the color combinations of painted house influencing my own painting. Read more>>
Tori Buck
How do I keep my creativity alive? I keep my creativity alive by taking risks and trying something new. Something I feel may be different and that can set myself apart from others in the wedding industry. It may work and it may not, but what matters is I tried and allowed myself to step out of my comfort zone. Read more>>
Jay Kelley
I keep my creativity alive by continuing to immerse myself in my craft. I watch dance videos on YouTube and Instagram and get inspiration from various choreographers. I also have a dance family in Raleigh, NC and we have jam sessions where we freestyle and bounce ideas off of each other. Read more>>
Midegbeyan Ojisua
As an Artist, I keep my creativity alive by having people of like minds (artist) around and also by reading about past and present Artist which helps me develop myself mentally and also practically, artist such as Leonardo da vinci, Mr Ejoh wallace, Mr kent Onah and many others. Read more>>
Madisyn Banks
I continue to study and conduct research to maintain my creative spirit. The expression “You are never too old to learn something new” is something I really believe in. I’m always learning new creative techniques to enhance my work in the field. Read more>>
Alana T
o maintain a passionate life in a luxury jewelry line, it’s important to stay connected to your own passion for the craft. Here are a few tips: 1. Stay Inspired: Continuously seek inspiration from various sources such as art, nature, fashion, and cultural trends. Incorporate new elements and techniques into your designs to keep your work fresh and exciting. Read more>>
Ethan Punal
I look for creativity in everything. It doesn’t take picking up a paintbrush or writing a lyric for someone to call themselves. Everyone has their own creative way of approaching things and areas of their lives where they introduce creativity. Read more>>
Raven Parnell
In my multifaceted roles as a creative director, online boutique owner, and business owner, nurturing and sustaining creativity is fundamental. I’ve found several approaches that help keep the creative flame burning brightly. Read more>>
Israel Deutsch
For retail sales you have to be creative and adapt. Everyone is trying to sell something, Wether Facebook market place on a small scale or a Fourtune 500 company. You have to be creative in marketing, product development and even customer service. Read more>>
Audra Casebier
I keep my creativity alive by exploring what resonates with me at any given time. The hardest sphere to remain creative and authentic with is social media! While on a performing contract, there are built-in creative elements; props, costumes, etc. so it comes easily but when I decided to start highlighting my teaching via social media that really stumped me. Read more>>
NVIRV (fka NA!RA)
Being creative can sometimes be as natural as breathing or walking. It just flows when you’re aligned and inspired. There is also a downside to constantly having to crank out products. The mental + physical strain, your internal pressures of excellence, and all the noise that comes with the business of art can sometimes steal the joy out of the creative process. Read more>>
Kimberly Aguirre
Creativity for me comes from not being able to turn off. It’s like I’m constantly almost obsessively thinking about what I could be to level up. I could be driving, shopping, baking or even washing dishes and I get some ideas that come to mind. I immediately open the notes on my phone and write it all down and then I execute. I believe that creativity flows naturally when you foster that which allows you pursue your passion. Read more>>
Övgü ‘Pica’ Yeles
I think keeping creativity alive is a special task of its own. Just like a phone needs a charge to keep going, creativity needs its own kind of fuel. I make sure to set aside at least an hour or two each day to either do some other activities or absolutely nothing. It allows me to clear my mind and has helped me keep my creative energy. Read more>>
Melanie Matthews
What keeps me vibrant and committed to my painting and teaching practice is the sensation that it has a positive impact on people’s lives. I can bring the feeling of possibility agence and joy to people. Read more>>
Rusanda Panfili
Recognizing how little I actually know, makes me always want more. I try learning something new every day, challenging myself to overcome the fear of not being good at it. When it comes to music , our creativity is our biggest asset. There are many great musicians out there who are good technicians , who know how to play their instrument and the one thing that truly differentiate us and makes us individuals is finding our own individual musical voice. Read more>>
Theo Hype
In the dynamic realm of cinematography, my journey as a Director of Photography has been a relentless pursuit of creativity. Nurturing innovation is essential in an ever evolving industry, and I’ve discovered that inspiration often hides in the mundane. From experimenting with unconventional angles to embracing new technologies, every project becomes a canvas for artistic expression. It’s about finding the delicate balance between tried-and-true techniques and daring to venture into uncharted territories. Read more>>
Jacquelynn Allen
One thing that inspires me and keeps my creativity alive is by looking at food. Walking through the grocery stores or the markets and looking at the fresh produce and what looks good that day. While doing this, all kinds of ideas come to my mind and I day dream of how I will execute the dish. Read more>>
Raven Jiang
In my opinion, as a position in the creative industry, illustrators, in addition to focusing on the attractive narrative itself, narrative methods and techniques are also very important. In addition to visual arts, I will widely appreciate works of art from different media and different eras, such as movies and novels. Other than intellectual interpretation, I also attach great importance to my direct feelings, likes, and dislikes about different works and things around me. Read more>>
Gui Bittencourt
My way of keeping my creativity alive is dabbling in many art forms, mostly movies, books, music; getting to know new artists and their craft; going to museums, movie theaters, and watching plays; talking to people and finding out about their passion. Another element that plays an important role in creativity is nature. Going for a hike, sightseeing, smelling the air, looking closely at a plant or animal, stopping and watching, being in the moment. Read more>>
Saul Hernandez
I try to paint or draw almost every day, I create a habit! Read more>>
Daria Endresen Ást og Hraun
I think any business owner can relate to this : you are so overwhelmed with tasks you have to do, that you simply don’t have the time to actually do things that you would like to do, including being creative. Clients always come first, and that’s where your focus is at, there’s simply no other way around it. After going full time as an elopement photographer I quickly realized that amongst the daily routine I need a creative outlet, something that’s not just ‘work’ but also ‘pleasure’ that can resonate with me as an artist. Read more>>
Abel B. Padilla
This is a tough question to answer. I don’t look back at my process or know the answer to this question, but I can say that creativity should not be taken for granted. Creativity comes from something we can not explain; somehow, it is divine and abstract. However you want to call it. One day, we can be the most creative human, but the next day, we can wake up without any ideas. Read more>>
Gavin Calais
Keeping creativity alive is one of the hardest things an artist deals with. Art is energy and energy is expendable. When I create, I expel energy sometimes to the point where there is none left. This is how creativity can die. How do artists keep creativity flowing and alive you ask? Energy transfers happen when an artists art is received. I am a drag queen. I receive energy primarily from audiences in bars and clubs. Read more>>
Cameron Sykes
While I have a primary genre of art that I practice, that being writing, I don’t restrict myself from enjoying and practicing other forms of art. In the beginning when I first started performing and taking my writing seriously, I felt myself fall into a box where I’d only be recognized as a writer and that’s the only way I should see myself because of this hustle mentality that told me I need to improve as fast as possible. Read more>>
Rory Odom
The simple answer in my mind is my naturally curious nature. With this curiousity, I constantly find my self searching through new unfamiliar spaces to gain knowledge on things that catch my eye or that i find interesting. I think this in a round about way keeps me on new pathways and in a constant state of self evolution. Read more>>
Thomas Misuraca
Keeping creativity alive has become a greater challenge in these days of numerous distractions. Though I am fortunate to have multiple ideas either in the forefront or back burner of my creative side, the trick is actually sitting down and making those ideas become some type of reality. Read more>>
Zhané Flowers
I am a huge traveler! Whenever I come across times where I’m feeling uncreative I plan a trip and leave. I get heavily inspired by seeing new things and being in new atmospheres. When I am in NY for a long time I feel stagnant and feel the urge the surround myself with newness. Read more>>
Tom Chambers
To keep creativity alive, never put down the paint brush, or in my case, the camera. It is always at my side and through thick and thin. It is the beacon that inspires and guides me through a continuous process. It is my tool and companion. Read more>>
Katie Hart
I’ve made my craft about something bigger than me. Helping others is what I live for, and I stay driven by using my photography & videography to help support the local arts community. I love concert photography because it constantly keeps me on my toes! I have to be ready to capture the big moments and unplanned surprises all while managing fast movement, crazy lighting, and changing camera settings. Read more>>
Sara Rosenthal
Creative fires can’t blaze all the time, so when inevitable periods of stagnation come, it is so helpful to remember that I’m not creating in a vacuum. Sometimes this looks like taking a break to go for a walk, being very present with the sights and sounds around me. Sometimes this looks like researching the work of other artists- online, in a book, in a museum. Read more>>
Maizie Clarke
I love this question! And this is so important to a creative small business owner. I am determined to always keep an eye out for inspiration, it’s literally everywhere. If you approach the world around you with an open eye for inspiration, you’re going to find it. So I think of creativity is when your ideas meet inspiration: so collecting inspiration is important but so is the combination of inspiration and ideas. Read more>>
Stefanie Salguero Say
Maintaining creativity is crucial for a copywriter, and it’s great if you have powerful sources of inspiration, like reading books, painting, mingling with fellow creatives, and more. I love to read and devour books from various genres; this exposure to diverse writing styles and perspectives has always sparked new ideas. Read more>>
Israel Isas
I stay creative by exploring different activities like photography, drawing, and researching new techniques. Photography is important to me because it lets me freely visualize compositions and relax without the pressure of deadlines or others’ expectations. It’s a personal pursuit. Drawing is another outlet I enjoy because I think visually. It’s easier for me to create images than to express myself in words. Read more>>
Thaís Mendonça
I think this is not easy, because as a photographer, I have a tendency of repeating some poses or get used to seeing the world the way I already see it, instead of being surprised like a child would be seeing new things. Living on an island like Maui, in Hawaii, it’s hard to get used to all the beauty I experience here, but I also have to be attentive to not take it for granted and appreciate the moments I witness here. I think being present and appreciating what I experience in life, even little trivial things, is a way of keeping my creativity alive. Read more>>
Termeh Behbahani
I believe in training your eyes like training any other muscle. It is important to train your eyes in different ways and expose them to various textures and mediums. I have adopted certain practices that help me keep my mind and eyes entertained in a way that directly correlates to creativity. One activity that has proven most effective for me is going to a library and avoiding the painting section. I like walking in sections of the library that I haven’t explored and grabbing any book that my mind and eye gravitate towards. Read more>>
Angelina Mitschke
As a maternity photographer, my work usually caters to what mom envisions. Of course I give it my personal touch but it is mom that chooses the dress, the colors and feel of her portraits. To keep my creativity flowing, I try to do model calls as often as I can. Model calls are sessions where I have complete freedom and control of the styling, outfits, colors, lighting and posing. Read more>>
Wally Kelly
I had a full two year block when I started college and it created a huge halt in my life. It felt like I had no drive and no goals with my work because I was so busy with school and personal things at the time. I moved to California in 2020 during the pandemic and I feel like the distance and uninterrupted time with no expectations of quarantine gave me breathing room to pick up a pencil again. Read more>>
Ramon poleo
As a tattoo artist, I’ve found that creativity thrives on consistency and discipline. It’s not about waiting for a lightning strike of inspiration, but rather about showing up and seeking out new ideas every day. By making time for brainstorming, trying out new concepts, and experimenting with different styles, I’ve been able to nurture my creativity and keep it flowing. Read more>>
Megan Badger
As a studio artist, I keep my creativity alive by staying curious and accepting new challenges that add to the building and structure of my ever-growing artistic journey. This can range from internal desires (typically dark or outrageously silly), entertaining discussions/opportunities, and embarking on new adventures found in nature. All of which jumpstart my momentum for feeling and inspiration. Read more>>
Rob Turner
Always observing, always on the lookout for something that catches my eye or piques my interest. I always feel like there’s some subtlety or nuance that can bring to light something much bigger. It’s this spark that constantly keeps my creativity alive in writing, playing, recording, performing, etc. Read more>>
Lauryn Pena
Writer’s block happens to the best of us. When I get into a block I will watch a movie, read a book, or read an article that is written by someone I respect, and that sort of cultivates, grows, and inspires me to push through whatever project I’m working on. I once read that Beethoven would take walks everyday, and he would carry with him empty music sheets in case he got inspiration. That inspired me to do the same whenever I need to clear my head or get over a writing slump. Read more>>
Savannah Hendricks
Creativity can be a tricky thing to spark, even with the best of intentions. I think the most important aspect of keeping your creativity alive is the movement of both mind and body. Often we’re creatures of habit and get stuck in our routines because they’re comfortable and because, usually, we’re overwhelmed. Which, I believe, is how we lose our creativity. Read more>>
Sharmilla Fassbender
As a mother of 4, life is constantly on the go. At first, I found myself feeling resentment that I couldnt find the opportunity to enjoy more deliberate forms of creativity – like crafting or painting. It felt like I was always on someone else’s time, and there wasn’t opportunity for me to get creative. However, I took a step back and reevaluated. Instead of trying to change the situation, I shifted my mindset. Read more>>
Noah Lawrence-Holder
Like many artists, I my creativity has always felt like an innate part of me. However, I think its absence is innate as well. There are natural ebbs and flows to being an artist, and the best thing you can learn to do is to not beat yourself up when things aren’t flowing. I think of it as reaping and sowing- If you aren’t in a position to create, you can still cultivate inspiration to help you make things later. Read more>>
Nate Fakes
As a cartoonist and artist, I’m constantly pivoting my work. There are areas of my job I never thought I’d be a part of, such as being a storyboard artist for advertising, a greeting card creator, a graphic novelist — and much more. Exploring different areas which I can share my work keeps creativity alive and well. Read more>>
Sarah Glenn Boman
As an interior designer, keeping my creativity alive is essential to staying relevant. I must remain inspired to be able to create interesting spaces for my clients. One of my favorite ways to expand my creativity is through travel – it allows me to explore new architecture, see different interior designs both residential and commercial, and immerse myself in the culture of the place where I am visiting. Read more>>
Selena Nimchan
I think I’ve always been a pretty creative person. I live to problem solve, and most of the time, problem solving involves finding creative solutions. When my daughter was diagnosed with the “trifecta” (allergies, eczema and asthma), I was determined to find solutions to some of her issues that didn’t involve the constant use of prescription medications. That was the brainchild that led to my company Bathe being born. Read more>>
Viswajith Kumar
Any creative endeavor rarely finds itself to be a smooth sailing journey. While the passion and love for our creative mediums of choice fuel our efforts, we inevitably contend with the drag of resistance and roadblocks along the way. As a music producer and filmmaker for half a decade, my creativity was initially sparked out of a pure fascination with the art forms. Reality, however, soon hit me. Read more>>
Mariery Young
creativity for me it’s a very personal thing, a step-by-step, day-to-day feeling. Very much a gut feeling. it reminds you of the things that you enjoy, which brings back to you the inner child wonder. it’s to go back to the beginning, that spark, and try to be surrounded by it once more. Read more>>
Roger Ribeiro
To keep my creativity alive I do some daily stimulation, firstly I like to play sports, specifically fighting, I have been practicing jiu jitsu, capoeira and muay thai for almost 20 years, I like traveling, watching films, reading books, immersing myself in music and especially talking to people, each experience I hear about leaves me stimulated and motivated with new ideas. Of course, all of this is only possible because I am a dreamer, I believe that imagining different scenarios and situations encourages me to do so. Read more>>
Indigo Cook
I’m a passionate believer in trash these days. I like to think of it as a way of letting go of the need for perfection or endless productivity that is so heavily encoded into our society. Making trash, watching or reading or listening to trash, supporting and laughing alongside my friends in their trashy endeavors – these are all creative practices for me. My relationship to creativity has always been centered around curiosity and playfulness, and I feel trash can embody these exact qualities. Read more>>
Mihai Daniel Juravlea
To keep my creativity alive, I make sure to give myself time and space to experiment and explore. I’m constantly trying different techniques, approaches, and tools to keep my perspectives fresh. I also seek out new sources of inspiration, whether it be through other artists, watching documentaries, movies, or otherwise. Additionally, I’ve found it’s important to step back from time to time, allow for a period of rest and introspection, after which I find my creative spark is even brighter. Read more>>
Kerrie Smith
My creative process is directly linked to my time in nature. Walking daily keeps me optimistic and driven to create. I spend quite a bit of time in my studio and that’s mostly sitting and painting or at my computer. So to keep balance in my life I walk every morning with my dog Milo. I’m fortunate to live close to the beach and More Mesa Preserve which is 340+ acres of open space that continues to inspire and feed my soul. Read more>>
Jake Harness
For me personally, being creative is as essential as eating or breathing. I have to be creative. Working as a filmmaker, I have to find new ways to tell stories, and in doing so, me and my work survive on creativity. Read more>>
MUSZ Studio
Salih Zeki Sayar and Murat Sener, dba MUSZ, is a collaborative brand where two artists have come together. We believe that creativity isn’t just a gift, it’s a journey of exploration, curiosity, and resilience. Our creative process springs from a multitude of sources: sometimes it is a story, a book, a piece of music, a movie. Yet some other times it is a moment, a word, a fragrance, a texture…they all may spark our creativity. Read more>>
Andrea Pino
Thank you for this question. As an artist, I turn to many elements within my surroundings that help keep my creativity flowing. Music is definitely a top influencer when it comes to creating new projects. I love tapping into various genres , various eras and all types of beats and tempos when creating with music. Read more>>
Pinghsin Sydney” Chen”
As a Visdev Artist and Designer, I am inspired by a variety of things. I hope to always stay excited about the future and I want to constantly stimulate my emotions. A lot of my creative ideas come from my daily life: the environment around me, people I know, places I go to, interesting stories I heard… Talking and communicating with people inspires me the most, I gain insights when they share what they are working on or what excites them the most recently. Read more>>
Trey Flynt
One of the best things about photography is there are endless subjects to photograph. I challenge myself to find a new landscape or go looking for some kind of wildlife in hopes I’ll get a great shot. Luckily, I live in the desert Southwest and we have so many places to explore and photograph so I do have options. Read more>>
Samantha Dittmann Struemph
I work continually on this. Creativity for me is something that can flow easily or be extremely hard. I try to challenge myself to come up with new ideas along with learning from those around me. I have found that workshops are some of the best things. They give you a new look into things. Maybe a new lightning setup, background, props or a better way to do things. Workshops and conferences are a great way to reset your creativity and give you a boost. Read more>>
Jonah Mancino
You keep creativity alive by sidestepping the desire for perfection in your work. Trying to make creative work perfect implies that there is a state of perfection in that artform—which is a lie. No art is objectively perfect. The best way to enact this and ensure that creativity is put before vanity is to trust the subjectivity of art, and be confident in yourself. Read more>>
Evan Naka
I think staying creative is challenging for anyone. We hope to always have new ideas flowing, but it can be difficult, especially if you are doing similar types of projects every month. It can dry out that creative muscle, and feel like nothing new is happening in your work. This can sometimes lead to burnout or even feeling like there is a lack of fulfillment in the work you are producing and putting out. Read more>>
