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.
Amanda McCauley
I keep my creativity alive by continually experimenting with my craft and pushing boundaries to stay outside of my comfort zone. I work on developing the materials in new ways, and building on previous methods. Read more>>
Man Yang
I enjoy continually acquiring new knowledge, learning new skills and techniques. I love sharing stories with my friends and family, discussing design details with my clients. During my downtime, I often have a period where I engage in an inner dialogue with myself. Read more>>
Ben Rosenblum
Opportunities for creativity can be found in every facet of life. As a touring performer and composer specializing in jazz and other improvised music genres, my career revolves about keeping the flow of ideas open and as unfettered as possible. Read more>>
Julian Thedford
Creativity never dissipates; however, I believe it is human nature to slip into a state in which one feels uninspired. When moments like that arise I’ve had to learn where to draw creativity from. The main blockage is mental, the first step in overcoming that is understanding that creativity isn’t something that comes and goes, it’s constant, whether you’re choosing to tap into it is another story. Read more>>
Peter Hurley
In order to keep your creativity alive, it’s important to experience the world around you for more than what it is. I use sunsets as an example. It’s simple to look at a sunset and see how beautiful it is, but the more you slow down and truly observe it, the more different colors you’ll notice, you’ll experience how the light reflects on the clouds and shines on the world around you, how the sun warms your face, and how the chaos from the day starts to wind down. Read more>>
RICEY FLUSH
Ive been a photographer for a long time, and it’s easy to get burned out. Photoshoots become repetitive, everything seems to become scheduled work instead of creative free time. I used to really look forward to working with new models and collaborating on new projects. Read more>>
Susanna Herlitz-Ferguson
To keep my creativity alive, I prioritize BRAINSTORMING in two distinct ways. Firstly, alone in solitary brainstorming sessions, particularly during long, uninterrupted car rides or hikes, allowing my mind to focus on generating ideas. Read more>>
Ishanya Singhal
I’ve always made a concerted effort to immerse myself in a wide array of activities, cultures, and subjects, as I find that new experiences are a fountain of inspiration for fresh ideas. The environment around me plays a crucial role in this creative journey; hence, I make it a point to surround myself with creative works and individuals. Read more>>
Michelle Jarni
It’s a constant struggle but for me it’s a combination of being inspired by creators that I am following on socials and tracking new advancements in technology. And instead of letting myself get crippled with fear or insecurity I take some time and actually TRY IT OUT. Read more>>
Dyan McBride
I’ve been a professional actor, director, singer and instructor for over 30 years. This is a crazy, wonderful business. It’s often everything all at once or sort of slow. What I’ve come to realize (and I’m sure this sounds like ‘duh!”), is that I’m just a creative being, period. Read more>>
Maria Müller
As many things are, creativity is a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it gets. But training your creativity can happen in a lot of ways. I consider content consumption and content generation to be equally important. If I spend too long producing art but not intaking any, I start to feel bored of my own choices. Read more>>
Tania Torres
Keeping my creative juices flowing is all about being plugged into community, where love, friendship, and family are like the fuel that keeps the engine running. Creativity for me is like this big ol’ group project with everyone I care about. Read more>>
Koby Griggs
Ever since I was little I always loved to draw and create. Any time an idea pops in my head, I want to get a quick thumbnail sketch down, so I don’t loose it. There’s a sketchbook with me wherever I go. I find my creative ideas come to me when I am busy with mundane tasks. Read more>>
Jedd Davis
Travel. Travel. Travel. Take the time to get out and see what this beautiful world has to offer. I find it very beneficial to take trips to fuel your creativity to its max potential. Travel for me helps to continue putting in the hard work at home, so I can keep booking that next trip. Read more>>
Michael Ansong
Creativity to me as an artist is turning what had already been painted upside down. It is a word that rebrands itself into something new with a distinct narrative. An example of creativity in action is when artist Damien Hirst recreated the concept of a pharmacy and what it means to enter one when in need of medication. Read more>>
Taylor Shaw (Artist Name: LAZERCHEF)
My creative process appears scatter-shot from the outside. Painting giant murals, making and selling hot sauces, creating logo’s and apparel, teaching at universities and craft schools, and cooking at pop-ups and on national television. All these different avenues may not seem related but they help fuel my creative practice. Read more>>
Meghna Hegde
To keep my creativity alive in social media, I do the following: 1. Stayed Inspired: Regularly explored and engaged with content across various platforms to stay inspired by different styles and ideas. I also, visited a lot of local exhibitions/ fairs to see what’s new and tested a lot of technology. Any new device or app I tried it. Read more>>
C.F. Jackson
Creativity is all around. I allow myself to not only see the possibilities but to feel them. Many of us as kids had a creative imagination. Think about it. What were the things that helped your imagination back when you were young? For me, there were many things such as movies, commercials, magazines, and advertisements. Read more>>
Sarah Albisser
How do you keep your creativity alive? For me, creativity is deeply intertwined with my personal experiences. I find inspiration in the themes that resonate with my own life. Rather than waiting for creativity to strike, I’ve learned that the best approach is to actively engage with my art. Read more>>
Vivian O’Phelan
I seed and grow ingredients for the foods I make. It brings me a complete contact with nature and with that appreciation comes great inspiration. Every time I feel that I can’t create or am running out of ideas, I go outside to my gardens and the moment I see my plants, it re-energizes me. Read more>>
Darryl McCrary
I feel as though the world is constantly full of inspiration. I remember when I first started fooling with a camera for the first time, and how the perspective and focus affect an image. The eyes may always see what’s in front of them, but they may not always recognize the potential of the mundane. Read more>>
Lindsay Kagalis
I love that when you break it down, photography is really all about allowing others to see life through your eyes. No matter what, you are telling your story from how you experience it. And just as you grow and change in life, I think your creativity does the same. Read more>>
Ioanna Tsaousidou
Being a content creator requires constant creativity and of course there are times that you run out. When I feel this way I simply give my self a break for a couple of days. I noticed that there are some days that you can feel your creativity flow and I try to find as many content ideas as possible and write them down. Read more>>
Dena Young
I find a lot of my creativity by practicing the art of pondering. As a society we’ve lost our innate sense of wonder. Finding the answer to all our questions is as simple as picking up our phones, searching the Internet, and watching as it spits out a curated list of opinions within seconds. Read more>>
Katie Liu
With teaching students ten years experiences, I create a lot of works in oil painting and watercolor. In early years, my works inspired by French Impressionism, David Hockney and Chinese traditional culture paining. Read more>>
Karen Wynne Mackay
I thrive on creativity in all aspects of life. My inner artist revels in the quirky details, finding beauty in the cracks and imperfections. Music, words, nature – each one ignites my imagination. I seek out inspiration to fuel creative passion. Read more>>
Julia Brukx
I keep my creativity alive by never, ever making it my priority. I did that once; I had spent years wishing for my “big break,” when I had finally gotten enough other things out of the way that I could dedicate all of my energy to my creative pursuits. Read more>>
Bella Kalkbrenner
My creativity stems from the beauty of the natural world around me. The colors, scents, sounds, and sensations of the outdoors inspire me. Nature is ever-changing and alive; there is never a shortage of unique inspiration. Whether painting the striking hues of a sunrise, creating a necklace based on those same beautiful colors, or capturing the scene in a photograph, nature fuels my creativity. Read more>>
Apollo Maréchal
Creativity is more of a lifestyle thing for me. My inspiration comes mostly from my own experiences. I’m always exposing myself to different surroundings. I also listen to different genres to help me expand and grow as an artist. I don’t want to confine myself into one specific title. Read more>>
Robert Pryor
Keeping my creativity alive is extremely important especially since I’m into content creation. Being able to keep things fresh and exciting can be difficult from time to time but overall I love it. I have always enjoyed flexing my creative muscles ever since I was young. Read more>>
Emily St. Marie
I love the question because it implies that we aren’t inherently creative or non-creative, rather creativity is something you can foster and nourish in yourself and your life. Staying in the creative flow isn’t always easy– I’ve gone through creatively dormant periods of my life, and they were always connected with a sad event or struggle that made me feel down and in turn, less creative. Read more>>
Hector Bernal
I like to live my life. I ensure that everyday counts and that I end it with gratitude. Being able to appreciate the things I have in my life and knowing how hard I have worked for them allows me to envision the next step. It is with visualization that I can be creative. Read more>>
Ashley Poulin
I recently read a book titled “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin that opens with an explanation of creativity. He explains, “Creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human… it doesn’t exclusively relate to making art. We all engage in this act daily.” Read more>>
Esmeralda Chavez
I find that surrounding myself with nature, vibrant colors, fresh fruits, and observing the beauty of women in the street keeps my creativity alive! It’s amazing how the simplest things can spark inspiration. Read more>>
Sirena Smith
I keep my creativity alive by continuing to learn and by staying outdoors. Visiting local museums helps me learn about various artists and art styles that I may be unaware of. Social media is also a great way to become inspired in a short amount of time as well as books. Read more>>
