“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

Even with all the courage in the world, every creative will eventually run into a creative block, so we asked some of our favorite creatives to share how they overcome creative blocks.

 Anael Richman

Creative blocks are really just fear in disguise. Our brains are wired with a fight-or-flight response, a survival mechanism that developed hundreds of thousands of years ago when real threats were everywhere — wild animals, dangerous environments, and constant risks. Back then, fear kept you from being a lions dinner. Read More>>

Mike Rothmiller

As a New York Times bestselling author, I’m often asked about writer’s block. After speaking with many writers dealing with it, I realized it’s not about knowing what to write or a mental freeze—it’s the fear of risk. The fear of making the wrong decision.

They reach a point in their manuscript where they face a “fork in the road” and can’t decide which path to take. They all say, “What if I choose the wrong direction for the rest of my manuscript and it doesn’t sell?” That simple, but real fear, is what keeps them from moving forward. Read More>>

Andee S.

Most people visualize creativity as colors and ideas flowing out of someone like a whimsical river of ideas. While I have a flow of ideas, none of them is a fully formed creative venture. I have found that writing down or verbalizing these partial ideas can help with that block. Read More>>

Zengyuan Ma

Whenever I hit a creative block, I do three things.

First, I turn to things unrelated to art — philosophy, religion, social news, history, or theater. These help me shift perspective and recharge intellectually. Second, I spend time in nature. When I’m anxious, I literally go hug a tree — because trees are incredible. Third, I doodle without thinking. Letting my hand move freely often reveals something my conscious mind couldn’t access. Read More>>