“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” – John Maynard Keynes

Sometimes, getting out of a creative block requires escaping from the gravitational pull of old ideas, other times it might require diving into them to get re-inspired. Below, we’ve shared a variety of perspectives, insights and advice on how to overcome creative blocks.

AnnMarie Knorr-Fischer

It’s a blessing to write with my wife, Rachel. Having each other as sounding boards has been incredibly helpful—especially when we hit writer’s block. We usually sit down to map out the overall story, but then we start tossing around random ideas. Before we know it, we’ve created five new subplots along with a clear path for our main character’s journey.

We also rely on our support team—our sons—for their input. We jokingly call them our referees. When Rachel and I can’t agree on a storyline, we run it by them. Somehow, they always manage to blend both of our ideas into a single, cohesive direction for the story. Read More>>

 Kierra Harper

When I find myself creatively restricted, I choose to take a step back. Sometimes, when I struggle with coming up with new cake designs and content, I disconnect from social media and trends. Instead, I focus on baking simple treats around the house—like muffins, banana bread, and hand pies. These are things I wouldn’t typically sell and don’t require intricate designs. It’s a way to reconnect with my love for baking. Read More>>

Rainier Bernhardt

As a full time artist, I encounter creative blocks all the time. Some more intense than others, but the process for moving through and past these blocks is similar.

Generally, rigid expectations and external pressures are what fuel the art block, so whenever possible, I avoid working on my biological illustrations during these phases and try to focus on projects that are more forgiving and lighthearted. One such example was last fall, when I was feeling burnt out from a busy summer and knowing that I had to start preparing for the holiday season. I didn’t want to draw much of anything, and when I tried to make things that were in line with what I feel I “should” be making, they never turned out how I wanted them to.  Read More>>