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.
Lisa Denison
Keeping creativity alive for me today is a balance of blending past present and future. It is a fusion ofwhere I came from, where I am in the moment, and what dreams I have left to share. Creativity began very early for me as a coping or escape tool during my childhood. When growing up in a rural area, with very little entertainment options, no shortage of bizarre and kooky real- life characters, one creates their own stage, dwelling, or magical, secret place to travel to. Read more>>
Castel Sweet
By putting ourselves in spaces where we can learn from and be inspired by others helps us to keep our creativity alive. We are constantly visiting other businesses that use herbal and natural ingredients and watching things online that help us learn more and more about the various ways we can benefit from herbs and other natural remedies that allow us to continue to be creative about how the products we make. Read more>>
DoHyeon Lee
Firstly, this is perhaps something all students can relate to: I am not 100% satisfied with the projects I complete. There always seems to be something lacking or unsatisfactory. I make a point to jot down these areas for improvement in my notes and keep them in mind as I progress to the next project. Read more>>
Fernando Moya
I keep my creativity alive by being open to the world. Being open to emotions, to new experiences, to commitment, to love and to be uncomfortable. I keep my creativity alive by doing activities that bring me joy, by listening to my body, by allowing myself to be. Read more>>
Jennifer Wise
Surrounding myself with creative opportunities helps keep my creativity alive. As an introvert, having some alone time to let my brain just do its thing without interruption is key. Two of my favorite creative outlets are digital scrapbooking and blogging, so I’m lucky that both of those are a part of my work in addition to keeping my creativity going. Read more>>
Kathy Blakeley
I love to take things from the past and give them new purpose and new life as original vintage products! When I feel my creativity waning, I surround myself with inspiration in the form of my favorite pastime – thumbing through vintage magazines. There is nothing like taking a walk through memory lane to get my creative juices flowing! Read more>>
Kellen Klassik” Abston”
Admittedly, I found it hard to pick just one of these topics, but the two that resonate the most with me (keeping creativity alive and finding purpose) work in tandem for me. As a child, and an only child at that, my parents saw to it that I have creative hobbies and “toys” as opposed to video games to keep my mind occupied , and I was a little introverted nerd, so sports never really did it for me. Read more>>
Daniel Fox
Creativity is alive as long as I have something to say. I’ll use the language of a particular medium to express it. Whether it’s music (particularly true in jazz) and I’m playing a line that mimics or provides counterpoint with another musician at that moment, or it’s a photograph, and I want to make a larger cultural statement – I’m using a medium with a specific language to express something conceptually emotional or thoughtful. Read more>>
Anna Schatte
This a great question. I think it’s important to step back from the pressure of trying to be a successful creative person and focus on being an active participant in life. One of the greatest lessons I learned early on in my career as an actor is the importance of filling up on art and cultivating relationships. Read more>>
Ming Chi
As an artist and creative professional with a background in game development and industrial design, I find that keeping my creativity alive is essential to my work. Drawing inspiration from my experiences at renowned studios like NetEase game studio in China and my involvement in projects such as “Justice Online” and “Onmyoji” has been instrumental in fueling my creativity. Read more>>
Daniel Vasquez
Keeping my creativity alive is a top priority in both my personal life and professional work. I find that immersing myself in various art forms, such as music, anime, and video games, allows me to see the world from fresh perspectives and keeps my mind invigorated. Read more>>
Tiffany Amalfi-Speck
I think the beauty in pet photography is that every animal is so different. Honestly, they are what keeps my creativity going. I also have A LOT of props and back drops for variety. Whether they are the flower crown, bandana, bow tie, angel wings or just a good ole’ fashion tennis ball type- all props are on deck and ready to go hand in hand their personality. Read more>>
Jamey Altizer
That is a really great question. I would say that keeping my eyes open and taking in everything I can is the first step. Through observation and learning more, I keep my mind moving. I am, what my wife thinks, is very odd in the fact that I will drive for hours with no music just to let ideas and stories form and play themselves out in my mind. Read more>>
Jayda L
Well, I am 13 years old so my creativity runs wild still and my mom has always taught me to follow your dreams. A dream doesn’t just come to you and happen you have to have hard work and dedication. Honestly, sometimes because it is my dream to blog and my mom just helps with edits and posts, I feel I have to work 10 times harder. Read more>>
Kennedi Noel
“God is creator, which means that God is creative and because you are created in the image and of the likeness of God, you have creativity.” Dr. Marcus D Cosby Recognizing the creative essence of God underscores the idea that creativity is inherent within us as beings who are made in the image and likeness of the savior. Read more>>
Peiyang Li
As a fashion designer and astrologer, I often draw inspiration from my clients’ stories. The astrological chart is like a telescope, allowing me to glimpse the full spectrum of their lives—whether they are students, married individuals, painters, or doctors. Their joys and tears, as well as the psychological journey of their inner moral struggles, are all laid bare. Read more>>
Seung-Jun Lee
As an artist, I consider it paramount to remain fully present and to immerse oneself in the experiences that surround you, whether through interactions with people, exploration of diverse cultures, or exposure to new environments. This approach not only enriches your perspective but also informs and inspires your artistic practice, fostering a deeper connection with the world in a vibrant and dynamic manner. Read more>>
Lo Lundeen
I keep my creativity alive by learning! Since I was a kid, I’ve struggled with perfection, and the value of my work if it’s wasn’t what I deemed “perfect”. Being in LA, I have gotten so lucky to work as a producer, writer, and actor on my peers’ projects. For a lot of them, it was a learn-on-the job sort of gig. It felt like being given an OK to fail and hash things out and learn. Read more>>
Dan Gober
Never hold back! I’m always exploring different sounds, voices and instruments. The smallest little light that sparks an idea of a song helps feed my creativity to explore it further. I believe all the pieces are there, you just have to open up and really listen. Read more>>
Smahi Anand
To keep my creativity alive, I constantly challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone. I find that when I’m faced with new challenges, it encourages me to think differently and push the boundaries of my creativity. By embracing unfamiliar experiences, I can discover fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that keep my work exciting and dynamic. Read more>>
Akeem Dennis
I keep my creativity alive by constantly seeking improvement. I’m always aiming to outdo my last project and learn new things to enhance it. I don’t follow what others are doing; I march to the beat of my own drum. So, for me, keeping my creativity alive means never giving up, never settling, and always pushing for more. Read more>>
Suchi Sairam
Creativity is a funny word. There are many assumptions made about what it means, and whether or not you “have” it. I think it’s a mindset to be embraced. I believe it’s a quality that can be cultivated. I know from experience it takes practice. A lot of it. How do I keep my own creativity alive? I spend time in nature, paying attention to small details that are easy to overlook. Read more>>
Rick Knight
This is a real challenge. I can’t stay still. I’m a bit of a wanderer by nature. My family moved quite a lot when I was a kid and I suppose the habit stuck as I’ve moved about the country quite a lot in my adult life. This has applied to my working and creative lives as well. Read more>>
Reco Daquon
I just keep creating there is so much in life and so much around us but finding ways to express what we see and feel effectively is what drives me to be creative! Read more>>
Adri Reyes
El mundo va tan rápido y a veces indiferente, que creo que la clave para mantener la creatividad es encontrar inspiración en todos lados y en cualquier actividad. En los ojos de mis hijos, en las mascotas, en un arcoíris, en las ganas de expresar lo que es el amor ! Read more>>
Christopher Lucero
Repetition. Keep doing what you already love and don’t stop. Even if its a slow process. I’ve kept my creativity alive by repeating what I do. I find I have to be creative in showcasing someone’s struggles, dreams, accomplishments, joys, heartbreaks, or devastations through face paints, fabrics, and backgrounds exciting. Read more>>
Braden Carlisle
I don’t typically consider myself inherently creative. Like many adults, I find that I need to actively engage in practices to keep my creative juices flowing. To do this I like playing games (whether board games to solve problems or even playing dungeons and dragons), exercising my imagination by day dreaming, and solving puzzles and riddles. However, the best tip I’ve ever followed was to keep a notebook. Read more>>
T.M Jefferson
My creativity remains vibrant through resilience, resourcefulness, and a commitment to transforming adversity into art. Drawing from personal experiences, channeling emotions into storytelling, and evolving as both an author and publisher are key aspects of my creative process. Read more>>
Candicia and Camillia John
As a team, we keep our creativity alive by taking breaks to travel and explore the world. We love exploring the Caribbean islands as it is a part of our culture and heritage. We also try to consume content from inspiring online creators and listening to podcasts outside of our industry. Read more>>
Evie B
Creativity is our essence, our power, and the mark we make on the word. The energy to be vibrant on any day comes from my connection to nature, my body, and my purpose. I’m inspired by the birds the visit my feeders every morning, by the gorgeous movements and colors right outside of the window. Read more>>
David Beeler
I believe it’s the other way around. Creativity keeps us alive. Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” In this sense, creativity is actually a default setting for all humans, we have unlearned our ability to see that we live in it. Read more>>
William David Hogan
It’s important to embrace mistakes and remember to play. As a kid, you created with reckless abandon. It’s tougher when you’re older, of course, but the elements of play must be kept alive. For an artist, mistakes are how you get to the truth of what you’re working on. There’s no shame in making it fun: blasting music, playing Legos as a warmup, scribbling on large sketchpads — if it unlocks your play, it’s working! Read more>>
Kris Stith
Creativity, to me, is the measure of your imagination in relation to your situation. Creativity has also been my blanket when the world becomes too cold for me to bear. Growing up as a young Black kid in what would be considered an underserved community, my kiddy choices had adult consequences. So I stayed in the house and out the way. Read more>>
Steven Palivoda
My passion is rooted in photography and with that being said, creativity is everything. People often have this assumption that revisiting places does not yield any new paths for creativity. However, having a trained eye for over twenty-four years makes all the difference. Read more>>
