“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.

Anne Abueva

I have two favorite ways to move through a “creativity block”:
1. Creativity pauses are sometimes almost as important as actually creating. So, I try to reframe the word “block” and instead think of it as space to gather and grow new ideas. It is an important built-in pause where my mind can wander and catch onto the next inspiration. Read More>> 

Lydia Smith

Nothing makes my brain freeze up quite so much as a blank page.
Even if I know where I’m trying to take my story and how I’m going to get there, opening a new document makes the creative side of my brain forget how to write. It’s like pulling teeth to get words onto the page, let alone good words. But that’s where the issue lies: the pressure to put down good words. Read More>> 

Mollie Jackson

For me, a creative block is almost always my mind’s way of saying, slow down. It’s a signal that I need to step back and reset. When that happens, I don’t try to push through—I change gears. I might lean into something else I love, like yoga, design, or simply spending time with friends and family. Giving myself that space usually makes me miss painting enough that the creative energy returns on its own. Read More>> 

Dawn Pilpel

For me, the biggest thing is not fighting it. Creative blocks are inevitable—if you create long enough, you’re going to hit them. And when I’m in that space, you can see it in my work. It loses its spark, and I refuse to put out anything that doesn’t feel alive. Read More>> 

Kim Gueye

When I hit a creativity block, I allow myself some time to create, what I call : “bad art”, yarn projects that I’m not sure I’ll be satisfied with.

I’m just going with the flow, grabbing whatever yarn calls to me and crochet something messy and far from perfection, because bad art is definitely essential art.
It takes the pressure off and keeps my hands moving. Read More>>

Noël Murray

Whenever I feel stuck creatively, the best thing for me to do is step away. I find that when I try to force it, I just end up getting frustrated and wasting time. Instead, I try to get out of my head and get into my body and senses. This could be going for a walk, rolling out my mat for a short Barre session, giving myself a self-massage, or even just sitting in stillness outdoors and observing what’s around me. When I stop trying to think so much and just observe, I realize how much inspiration there is around me. For me, creativity is about creating the space to allow inspiration to flow back in. Read More>> 

Holly Danvers

I believe writer’s block is a bit of a myth. Sure, creativity ebbs and flows, and some days the words come harder than others. But that doesn’t mean the work stops. You still show up in the chair, you stick to your routine, and you give yourself grace—especially when life throws its punches. Deadlines don’t stop, no matter what shows up in life. Honestly, sometimes the hardest part is making the daily commitment. *Yes, even on weekends or holidays.* I often hear from readers that they want to write a book and my response is always, “what’s stopping you?” Sometimes the biggest roadblock is overthinking that you can’t. Read More>> 

Ariana Voutsakis

As a creative working across fashion, costume, and visual design, I’ve learned that creative blocks aren’t something to fight, but something to move through. Sometimes, the things we love most need space. Taking a break can be the most nourishing thing we do for our creativity. Read More>> 

Jennifer Perkins

Creative block has been one of my greatest challenges, but over the years, I’ve learned to overcome it by exploring different mediums to reignite inspiration. This often includes painting, sketching, or immersing myself in nature through the gardens Oklahoma has to offer—all of which reliably spark my creativity. Throughout my four-year journey as an artist, I’ve also come to understand the importance of listening to my body and allowing myself the time to rest and recharge when needed. Read More>> 

Cheryl

Creatives periodically run into ebbs, as we are not wired to run full tilt boogie, 24/7/365. As John Ruskin once said, “There is no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it.” In my opinion, ebbs are essential. In my experience, they often foreshadow a creative breakthrough or pivot.

That being said: there are times when ebbs become prolonged blocks, Extended lulls may pull us down a path of self-doubt and negative talk, which may tempt abandonment of the creative pursuit in question. Read More>>