How do you keep your creativity alive?

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.

 Jiling Lin

Pre-dawn writing with tea and candles. Watercolor, crayon, and other creative visual arts tools laid out in easily accessible places to make art. Tank drum and piano out for musical arts. Creating space. Reflecting with seasonal rhythms. Play. Opening to wonder with a revolving love affair with divination: I-Jing (易經), Tarot, oracle cards. Poetry. Inspiration and integration of the above into my work through everyday rituals. Read more>> 

Kris Urquhart

I keep my creativity alive by doing things that challenge my comfort level and continue to find ways to present my personality. Getting out of my comfort level allows me to be vulnerable and try something different. Trying something new gives me a chance to put my own twist on things. Now combine all of those things and you get a freedom that you can’t really describe but it feels amazing. Read more>>

Danielle M Chery

I keep my creativity alive by remaining curious about life, the world, and nature. There’s always so much to learn, and that feeds my creative process. As long as I’m keeping an open mind and remaining a student of life, that energy extends into what I’m able to create. I have a passion for exploring the world, and I feel the most alive in nature’s wild spaces, surrounded by trees, water, and animals. Read more>> 

Dan Kincaid

Creativity is an exercise in trial and error. We, as artists, strive to create something profound and provocative. Inspiration is our lifeblood, but it is not always readily available. When inspiration is absent, we have only one choice. And that is action. If we wait for inspiration, we often find ourselves motionless and unable to move forward.  Read more>> 

Christine Meredith & Daisy Kwoh

Christine: With each season, we recreate our wine shelf to focus on what’s current and relevant for consumers. We take inspiration from everything that’s in season. We’re at the farmer’s market – identifying wines that pair well with fresh produce and seasonal recipes. We lean in on new wine trends – whether it’s a style like pet-nats or chilled reds or a region of wine that people are interested in learning about. We also look at each season’s wine-drinking occasions – whether it’s poolside must-haves in the summer or brunch-pairing favorites in the spring. Read more>> 

Yi Cai

For me, one approach is to engage in conversations with people. Back when I was in college, whenever I couldn’t come up with ideas for photography, I would call my grandfather. He was an interesting old man, and each time we talked, he would offer me some novel thoughts. He also had a unique way of looking at my art, making it all very intriguing for me.  Read more>> 

Luke Sutton

I started as a background actor in 2016 and got the acting bug. I was in a few student films and watched what was going on, taking notes. I wasn’t getting the roles I wanted, so I created my content. I started writing and then producing while still trying to act. Trying to be diversified in my approach allows the creativity to come out. Watching movies, reading some of my textbooks from film school, and attending film festivals to see where we fit in has helped dramatically. I guess being a student and not always thinking I’m a teacher. Read more>> 

Ben Lewis

Becoming a full time artist was never something I thought would be possible in my life. But now that it has become an expectation, burnout can most certainly play a factor. I’ve learned to keep myself inspired by art forms and styles I have never tried. Trying and learning new things has really helped keep me fresh and excited to be creative. Read more>> 

Jeff Garnett

Creativity is a fundamental and indispensable aspect of being a successful designer. Architects often face complex problems and challenging site constraints, which requires creative design solutions. The ability to approach these challenges with a creative mindset is critical in finding unique and effective ways to solve problems. Read more>> 

Mor Yosef

I get inspired from everything in life. From traveling the world to new places and living through new experiences. I am always looking for fabrics and materials, and thinking how I can create new designs, concepts, and ideas. I love spending time in nature and being near ocean, and that’s where I get clarity and peace of mind. I reconnect with myself and that’s where my best creative designs stem form. Read more>> 

Joseph Wandass IV

Being a full-time artist, songwriter, and producer takes a lot of creative energy and requires a great deal of mental toughness. It’s very easy to burn out as a musician. However, continually writing as much as possible, creating a new piece or composition everyday, and performing actively are the best ways in which I keep my skills sharpened. It is important to be in the practice of music everyday while not overdoing one single dimension of my career. I am blessed to be multi-dimensional in the current music industry which allows me to work in many domains while not losing my passion for each one individually. Creativity comes from continual practice. Read more>> 

Jaime Nacach

I have always considered myself a creative individual. Before Virtual Latinos, my first business was a digital marketing agency, which tends to be a very creative industry. My interest has consistently revolved around the creative process of generating new ideas and maintaining a visionary mindset. I often credit the birth of Virtual Latinos to the blend of my creativity and business strategy experience. Read more>> 

Joseph Ogbole

Keeping my creativity alive is most essential for me as a young artist. This comes in ways. I constantly engage myself in a creative atmosphere, thanks to social media/spaces where one have the opportunity to interact with professionals and also seeing works of other creatives. This helps me deepen my insight as well as the opportunity to daily intensify in what I do. The constant consciousness of the path I have chosen to be a visual artist also keeps me on my toe. This also keeps me going. Read more>> 

Amanda Hawking

I think social media has really helped frame my creativity and my ability to express myself. Fashion, travel and photography have been the forefront of my interest for most of my life and Instagram, especially allows me to post current inspiration, outfit of the day options, ( look for my 31 outfits in 31 day challenge x2) travel inspirations, restaurants recommendations and finally tying in my real estate career, showcasing Beautiful homes in LA my brokerage lists. Read more>> 

Kat Lively

When you open your eyes, there is creativity. Whether we realize it or not, most things we encounter on a daily basis were once an idea. The car you drive? That was someone’s creative thought. The dish you’re served? Creativity. The flower you notice brightly budding? Created by the heavens and the Earth. Everything is creativity. Read more>> 

SABS

I once attended this workshop where we delved into the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It was truly enlightening and served as a great source of inspiration for me. The key insight I gained from it was the importance of nurturing our inner child. As we grow older, societal norms often push us to suppress that playful and creative part of ourselves. I believe that we all carry that inner child within, and it’s our responsibility to let it shine through. Read more>> 

Marianne Sade

I met the amazing Beatrice Wood years ago (when she was only in her 80s) (she lived to be 105). I’d never heard of her until a magical visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art introduced me to her in a very, very serendipitous way. (A story for another day, if you like). A brief written correspondence led to an in-person pilgrimage from my east coast home to her west coast “Shangri-La” (Ojai, CA) Read more>> 

Tian Yong

I believe that as a head chef and a team leader, it is crucial to maintain a certain vitality. This energy is essential for the team to thrive. Constantly experimenting with new flavors, continually elevating signature dishes and specialties, refining presentation styles and the use of tableware, keeping abreast of trending culinary information, emulating and refining the production process in one’s way. Read more>> 

Cecilia Beaven

I regularly attend art shows at museums and galleries, as well as lectures and talks, screenings, and any other artistic or cultural events that sound interesting. I get inspired by seeing what other creators are doing and how they address contemporary issues. It makes me feel part of a community and part of a larger conversation. Read more>> 

Mathieu Karsenti

I make music for a living and with music, the learning is never-ending. Once you acquire a few skills, it becomes easier to dig deeper within yourself and look for ideas or let ideas come up on their own, but the learning never ceases and that in itself is what keeps my creativity alive. Whether you are learning about past composers’ work or whether you get inspiration from other art forms, creativity is linked to everything.  Read more>> 

David Pearl

I’ve learned over time that there is a difference between becoming creative through inspiration and keeping it alive after the inspiration has run its course. In order to be creative one needs structure, organization and stability to contain creative outlets. Some of the most creative people in the world had the most boring day jobs. I’ve been gifted random moments of creative insights that inspire me to compose original music and keep me excited when I play my instruments.  Read more>> 

Emma Vollrath

Prioritize taking breaks! If you feel a lull coming on or you are feeling burnt out, it’s time for a break. I know that when I’m not being my most creative self that I’m sweating the small stuff and that it’s time to step back for a couple of hours and just let my mind wander. More often than not, we let ourselves get swept up in the super tiny things that may not matter as much as we think they do. Read more>> 

Sharhonda Henry

Creativity is one of those “use it or lose it” things. I feel that the more you tap into your imagination and creativity, the more you are able to find beauty and inspiration in everyday things. Creativity definitely makes me more intuitive. I’ll see different colors, textures and patterns and think, “I bet these would look great paired together!” It also helps to have an eye for details. The attention to detail helps me expand the vision and bring art to life.  Read more>>

Josh Weisbrod

When I was in school and envisioning my ideal career, I would imagine myself as a professional working in the animation industry, but who also pursued my own creative endeavors on the side. In practice, this is very difficult– it turns out creative energy is finite. It’s not that I don’t try to always have a personal project going (I do), but coming back to a computer screen after spending 8 hours staring at one can feel suffocating. Plus after finding a solution to and overcoming a difficult problem in my professional life, sometimes my brain just feels like two sparking, disconnected wires that can’t come together anymore.  Read more>>

Boujee Mustard

No matter how hard I try to get rid of it or how much I think it left me, creativity always stays alive and within me. I think when I don’t do anything “arsty” or anything creative for a while it makes me feel like I’m detached or not even equipped to do something to create. But when taking breaks from art to experience life and all the other hardships, the things we experienced and feel is what keeps me being some to create and feel alive. Read more>>

The 401 Experiment

I keep my creativity alive the same way the earliest cave dwellers kept their fire alive, by stoking it regularly, Keeping at least an ember of it alive at all times. Monitoring it, ensuring it never goes out. I’m busy with my square day job, my amazing family, and my friends. I need to eat an stuff. Early cave people had way more going on (saber toothed tigers and like, ticks or whatever) so it’s easier for me.  Read more>>

Edwina Gray

I view creativity as a vital life force intricately connected to one’s sense of purpose. The ability to tap into and exercise our creative muscles plays a substantial role in shaping our identity and impact. It’s a dynamic force that not only fuels innovation and expression but also contributes significantly to personal and professional growth. Read more>>

Helen Romeu Coombes

It’s a few things for me: I try to stay in touch with my instrument and constantly hone my craft, whether that be through taking classes and workshops, staying fit and healthy through regular exercise (for me this is running, rock climbing, or regular yoga practice), going to see plays and films whenever I can… but also having passions and a life outside of acting.  Read more>>

Success Is Near CAMERON JONES & KYRAN JACKSON

Honestly life, I take inspiration from any and everything. I get inspired to create when I’m interacting with other people. Sometimes the most basic and simplest Conversation sparks an idea in my head. The music I listen to also plays a big part in my creative process. The energy/ emotion of a song makes me want to create something that will evoke the same emotion out of my audience. Read more>>

Case Hemmes

In my personal experience, creativity is spurred by the joy that comes with creating. For me, it’s harder to create when I’m feeling doubtful, or disappointed, because those moods bring out a higher level of self-critiquing. What I’ve discovered works best for me is a hard reset.  Read more>>

Zengyi Zhao

As an artist whose primary medium of creation is photography and also in a graduate fine art program, the subjects I am interested in during the creative process are often related to specific places in reality. Photographing them, discussing, and structuring their meanings are the most important things art can bring to me.  Read more>>

Jon Olsen

Creativity is my vocation therefore necessity keeps it alive, but there are many other things that can influence creativity. I make instruments and games out of reused items to create innovative entertainment for all ages. If something is unique an original, it had greater appeal so I must always come up with interesting new designs in order to keep my vocation relevant. I find that thinking up new ideas calms my mind and relieves stress. Read more>>

Ross Copeland

Watching other creative people helps. Wandering around helps. I get bogged down with life stuff just like we all do: bills and work and commitments and errands and eating (where, what, what time, with whom… it’s a lot). Creativity is a reluctant dance partner whom I try to spin around each day. If I attempt to schedule a session with her, she doesn’t show up. Read more>> 

Abbygale Chung

Creativity is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets and the more effortlessly it flows. I am always looking for new and exciting outlets that inspire me through dance, directing, choreographing and designing. Museums are a great start to get inspired, or simply following creative people on social media whose content sparks some excitement in me to create more. Read more>>

Genesis Lugo

I think I’ve always been very creative as it fuels my art. I think where I get my good ideas is from life. I think the best art advice I ever heard was from Michelle Lam, an animation industry professional YouTuber, she once explained how she got better at art. She said that doing studies or practicing is good and all, but felt she got better by growing as a person. I think I took that advice and I realized I felt the same way too. Art is about capturing life… how does one become better at capturing life? It’s living it! So, what fuels my creativity is being inspired by life. My best ideas come from real life events that happened to me. Read more>>

Andre Soares

Hi! This might be a bit controversial but as a writer, I don’t believe in writers block or blank page syndrome. If you experience a lack of creativity, it is more of a symptom than the disease itself. There’s a root cause somewhere there, buried deep: this could stem from a lack of life experience, a narrow perspective, depression… You have to identify the root cause and develop a countermeasure to this so you can deploy a solution. Read more>>

Alice Fairfax

“You just need to…BE more creative.” That’s what he said to me. He, a visiting professor to our theater program, was leading an acting seminar and we were rehearsing our scene. My partner, the actor I most often played opposite onstage, agreed, “You don’t really come alive until there’s an audience.” I was devastated, of course. I must not ‘be’ creative if I don’t come alive until there’s an audience. Read more>>

Amanda Adams

Using the name Spy Bacon, I like to express myself as an artist through editing, animation, and character design. Spy Bacon comes from a game my sister and I would talk about playing when we were kids. I’m pretty sure we never actually played it because how do you even play Spy Bacon? Read more>>

Jon Giurleo

I keep my creativity alive by approaching my work with a laid back, playful mindset, whether I’m composing music or writing stories. I don’t see it as a task but as a form of play, especially when it comes to playing the piano. I try different things and see what works and what does not, playing around with certain ideas and seeing what sticks. Read more>>

Michael Stewart (Jus Mic)

Keeping my creativity alive is an essential part of my daily routine. I feel like the worst thing that a creative person can do is not be creative because you wither away, you lose your artistic voice. Creativity is a muscle so i have to use it, I have to work it out. I have to discipline myself to create every single day. I try new things and I stopped judging my ideas or saying it’s not good enough before it’s finished, I instead give them my energy and allow them to grow.  Read more>>

Jonathan Heit

Creativity is something we are all born with. Playing cops and robbers, kings and queens, galloping like a horse or roaring like a dinosaur. At some point we are put in chairs and told to quiet coyote, or shave and a haircut. We are given paper with thin lines or boxes and told to color inside. Creativity becomes something you have to sign up for. Extra curriculars which happen in the late afternoon become a drive away and the car stops being a submarine. Read more>>