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.
Lauren Barger
To sustain my creativity, I not only engage in the act of creating art, but also actively appreciate it. My routine involves consistently exploring various artworks and curating my personal collection. Constant exposure to different styles and forms of art significantly influence my creative abilities. I find inspiration in books, specifically fantasy and science fiction novels. The strange and unusual worlds challenge and stimulate my visual imagination. Read more>>
Jen Ruse BAD
Being a full time artist is such a rewarding career, but it also has its setbacks. One of those major setbacks is burnout. The desire to consistently create original artwork is taxing on the mind. It’s absolutely imperative to allow oneself to take mental breaks during the creative process. Much like a vehicle, your mind requires fuel to run properly. Read more>>
Miroslav Kostic
To keep my creativity vibrant and evolving, I ensure that every vacation is an opportunity to immerse myself in diverse cultural experiences. Traveling abroad, I make it a point to visit every museum and art gallery I can find. This exposure to a wide range of artistic expressions, from classic masterpieces to contemporary works, fuels my creative spirit. I firmly believe that being surrounded by creativity sparks one’s own creativity. Read more>>
Samiha Brown
To me creativity is like an wonderful energy. It comes to those who are curious. I keep my creativity alive by feeding into my genuine curiosity. I have the gift of childlike curiosity. So if I’m intrigued by something, I pursue and learn everything I can about that subject. It can be remaking my favorite dish that my mother made, or delving into the intricacies of marketing psychology, or learning about the sophisticated design of a mirrorless camera. Read more>>
I like to start a creative project so I know I will commit to it. I see the small pieces, then think how I can grow this imaginary in my mind into a reality. It can be a song, music video or an acting part. Losing a piece of myself or finding one is something that keeps me driven in the arts. I think what keeps me creative is being alone, and listening to beats, or reading plays. Sometimes what keeps my creativity alive is remembering what some of the most inspiring people along the way have told me. Read more>>
Rey Paez
I think this is something that doesn’t come easy for me. Lol I do take steps to try and keep the creativity flowing tho. For example I try and surround myself with other creative friends. I also watch some of my favorite movies or shows or try and go to conventions and events. If none of that gets the creative juices flowing then I just take a break to reset my brain and that usually helps. Read more>>
Gali Nami
In order to keep my creativity alive, I have to go out there and experience life. Experince love, heartbreak, bliss, discomfort, laugh, cry and just live… Read more>>
KOUSHIK
Keeping the creativity alive constantly, is a huge challenge. But it is not big deal when you truly love your work. If your work is your creativity, then by keeping it alive you are actually keeping yourself alive. Being an actor, I am always thriving to create projects that will take me to the next level. An actor is a storyteller. How you tell a story matters. I am always trying to find a new angle to tell a story and trying to find a hidden message in the story that was previously unknown. This not only creates interest for me in my work but also motivates me to do better. Read more>>
Taylor Murphy-Sinclair
I think creativity is everywhere, in everything we do. Acting, writing, dancing, painting- sure, those are all creative. But what about how you arrange your bathroom counter, or the color you choose to paint your nails every other week? There are so many little opportunities to stoke your creativity. For me, I go to acting class, practice martial arts, and wear a lot of bright colors. Read more>>
Mina Dulce
Creativity is an energy force that I know to be ever flowing. It comes and it goes, yet it’s always present throughout my life. To keep my creativity alive, I switch up my passions between photography and other medias such as drawing, writing, jewelry, or painting. I like to keep things interesting and never limiting when it comes to creative expression. Art is a coping skill or way to heal so experimenting with various materials allows me to transcend the rigidity of my own mind. Read more>>
I explore various streams of mediums, that I allow me to dive into my fullest expression. Through underground film, learning different styles of dance, creating art with friends, cooking new recipes and simply being inspired through my community. Everyday I am challenged to look deeper into my- self and birth new creative ideas that align with my passions. I love to live by the question: How can I bring more play into my space? Read more>>
Christine Riutzel
I’ve always been a creative person. Even when I’m not painting I always have lists of ideas and projects I want to start. There’s a never ending cycle of creativity I will always have. I suppose I should count myself lucky in a way, however there’s often times such overwhelming sadness that I will never accomplish all my creative dreams due to time and lack of skills. Many artists struggle with creative block. I sometimes hit this block but often can overcome obstacles in a few days. Read more>>
Andrea Doss
Being creative is not just a skill, it’s a habit. Over the years of being a studio artist I have developed a routine that helps me get the creativity going. Every day I start with a cup of coffee, a pencil and a sketchpad, then let the ideas flow freely for ten minutes. No rules, No limitations. What I end up on my paper isn’t always a masterpiece, but it is definitely “creative.” Read more>>
Brooke Simmons
The wedding industry is CONSTANTLY changing! To keep with the times and be successful, you HAVE to find creative ways to stand out. Luckily, that is my area of expertise. I mean, I am a wedding planner so it’s kind of in my genes to be creative, right? Otherwise, I wouldn’t be very good at my job. Diversity is key! I don’t like to ‘blend’ into the crowd with the other planners & coordinators. As a client, you want to find a planner/coordinator that you can vibe with and that gets you! A ‘cookie-cutter’ regular joe schmo seems like a snooze fest to me! Find someone that shares that same passion for your big day that you do! Read more>>
Raj Chaudhuri
Like everything else, Creativity to a large extent is a learned skill. I practice it all the time. Having a process to allow the creativity to flow from me is indeed the key. With painting, I am constantly going out to get the information I want to paint. If I expect it to come to me and sit and wait for it, it is not going to. Collecting reference, designing paintings are all huge efforts and I am constantly doing it. Art is not done in a vacuum. I am studying painters and their works from many centuries. Read more>>
Michaella Bloom
Little actions daily are needed to nurture and inspire creativity. I feel the most creative when I am calm, centered, and free from overthinking. I am a massive overthinker so getting myself into a creative state takes practice and patience. It’s kind of a ritual at this point. I always start by putting on music, SZA is my go to artist. I likely annoy my neighbors by maxing out the volume but it’s a necessary part of my process. Read more>>
Maggs Vibo
My creativity comes from my love of language. Everything starts from wordplay and builds from poetry. I create a poetic turn of phrase which sits inside my head until I am able to record it. A recording usually involves writing and/or typing the piece out and then a reading of the poem (either in public, via podcast, or as some type of livestream event). Other times, I develop an idea into a type of script or screenplay. Every element of the recording is developed through this initial creative spark which develops its own cadence and rhythm. Read more>>
Arrianna Santiago
For me, creativity often ebbs and flows through motivation and discipline. It’s rare that I have an equal amount of both at the same time, yet I try to practice them interchangeably when I have quick turnarounds for freelance projects or class assignments. To recharge from high-demanding projects I love to journal and read. For the start of 2024 I picked up “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel to learn more about thinking/feeling about money. Read more>>
Hallie Driskell
The best way I keep my creativity alive is to always look for art. I find art in everything in the trees, people, and sky. It’s very important to be creative as a fashion designer because you have to be able to create new ideas. I look at everything around me, analyze current trends, and create unique art from what I see when I go into the world. I always draw, on my iPad and on paper. Sketching out ideas creates a limitless space for creating. Read more>>
Olivia Scott
For me, creating my own content and putting pen to paper really helps me keep my creativity alive especially in an industry like acting where it can be quite up and down. We are so lucky in this day and age that we have the opportunity and the platforms to create our own content and then showcase it. While there is a lot we don’t have control over and it can definitely sometimes feel that way in creative industries, we do have the ability to create our own work. Read more>>
Marvis Cox Jr
Me and my brother Jayden have our own clothing line called YoungSavedLeaders. Jayden came up with the idea after getting in trouble for selling candy at school. He told my mom he wanted his own business. So my mom and dad got it for us. I’m really fly how I wear my clothes so I just tell him the colors I like and how I want my clothes to look. He draws it out and my parents pay for it to get made. It’s super cool. I also have my first book being published that I wrote with my daddy Marvis Cox Sr. called My Superpowers are NOT weird. Read more>>
Shahid Lamothe
My creative mind is always on and that is how I keep my creativity alive. As a truck driver, I am in a seat for 10 hours a day, focusing on the road, with nothing but time to think. I use this time wisely to brainstorm on what is to come next and how to improve on whatever I am working on, such as a logo, or the next step of a website I’m creating. Read more>>
Terry Tertiary
As a band, Divine Timing keep’s creativity alive by allowing our 4 members, myself, Terry Tertiary (Lead Singer/Lead Guitarist), K.mo (Bass/HipHop Vocals), Matt Roberson (Drummer/Vocalist/Guitarist), Kirk Diggler (Live Production and Background Vocals) to openly be themselves through the music we create and the community we foster. We are a HipHop/Rock/Pop band and we don’t shy away from the fact that our group has 4 songwriters, 4 triple threats, 4 MCs of various genre ability and immense musical knowledge between us all. Read more>>
Tavion Dixon?
One of the most important ways and habits of how I keep my creativity alive is first, making sure that everything that I’m currently working on that involves being creative is always fun to do instead of feeling like it’s a job. If I’m enjoying the process and it resonates with my energy, then I feel like my flow-state will be continuous and the inspiration will keep the creative juices flowing. Read more>>
Sandra Duran Wilson
Understanding where your creative spark lives and how to nurture it is the most important journey you can take. We are all different in our creative tendencies. Some people find it in music, dance, writing, painting or cooking. What we all have in common is that creativity must be nurtured and practiced. I have had people remark what a gift I have. I don’t agree with this view. Read more>>
Sarah ELQA
I don’t get stuck on the same routine, I’m always working on different types of projects which do not only concern art. Indeed, I devote a lot of time to my life as a mother and to my family, which are very important values for me. I never have time to get bored. When it comes to art, I continue to get inspired by traveling. I travel a lot for work, to participate in art fairs where I meet a lot of interesting people from different cultures and that’s where I draw my inspiration from. Read more>>
David Geathers
I keep my creativity thriving by immersing myself in diverse artistic forms. As a musician, photographer and filmmaker, I find that each discipline enriches the others. The insights I gain from one art form often provide a unique edge in another, enhancing my overall creative vision. This cross-pollination of ideas isn’t just about mixing mediums; it’s about harnessing energy and channeling it into impactful creations. Read more>>
Jeff Taylor
I started DJing as a hobby when I was 16. I have a technical background in computers and communications and I’ve always had a full-time job since I starting working at age 19. Throughout my whole life, I’ve never stopped DJing. Every time I received a raise, I would invest it in my business. The more equipment I had, the more I was able to do larger events. I eventually purchased a van, then a big truck. I eventually starting getting jobs that didn’t require much brain power and less time. Read more>>
Kylah Frazier
Since I was very young I loved making art. The act of drawing, painting, and sculpting felt soothing and fulfilling to me. It also came naturally. But as I grew up, went to college, and eventually joined the workforce I found that the other side of myself that thrived on organization, process and logic were something I could make a strong career out of. I eventually became probably the furthest thing from an artist that 8 year old me could fathom: an IT project manager. Read more>>
Brianna Paulino
If there’s one thing about creativity, it is that it never dies. Creativity would sometimes feel exhausted, thus taking breaks here and there. Or creativity loses its motivation to continue spurring out ideas. Whenever situations like this occur, I know one thing that enhances my creativity wonderfully: collaboration and community. Read more>>
Sherry E. Engler
Keeping creativity alive is not always an easy task. For example, when I decided to write my book, Living with LEO: Law Enforcement Officer, I felt the urgency to share my life experiences as a wife and mother to law enforcement officers in order to help other law enforcement supporters face the uncertainties of dealing with the daily, sometimes unique challenges of law enforcement life. But how? My first creative version was gloomy dark, and I might say “depressing” because let’s face it, law enforcement officers deal with people having perhaps their worse moments on sometimes their worse days. Read more>>
Redcoat Kid
At sound valley we are always trying to innovate with the next best piece of tech, gear, or techniques to make our music making experience: never boring! Read more>>
Josiah Yu
I keep my creativity alive by simply living with more awareness and appreciation for life. When you live, you experience. For me, that means being able to notice the small details and nuances of everyday life that most people would overlook. Things like looking out the window on a long roadtrip, feeling the warmth of hot tea in the morning, or even when you’re hanging with friends and notice how bright their faces get when they’re laughing together over something trivial. Read more>>
Sharif Carter
As an artist, I recently found myself falling into a rut of monotony with my paintbrush. After 10 years of building my portfolio with a particular theme and style, my creativity was beginning to fade. Yes, it’s important to establish a definitive brand for yourself, but I found it hindering me from reaching the next phase of creative growth. In other words, my sinusoidal path as an artist was beginning to straighten, and I do not like straight lines. Read more>>
Nasema Jasat
I have always been someone who never liked doing things in the same approach over and over again. I love variation as it always helps me become proficient through a different method. And this is where the creative aspect of me comes alive. As a cake decorator, creativity is essential to the success of my business, and that motivates me to learning new skills. Read more>>
Sam Copland
Maintaining my creativity as a wedding photographer is normally fueled by a few key elements for me. I genuinely love my job, finding joy and excitement in every wedding I photograph. Being my own boss grants me the freedom to be innovative, I can push my creative boundaries. It’s the perfect blend of passion, exploration, and independence that keeps my creativity alive and thriving. Everything I see is a photo. Read more>>
Kev Von Holt
My creativity keeps me alive . It’s always been that way . And to show my gratitude toward the gift of creativity… I keep it alive every single day by devoting my life to the endless journey and boundless exploration. Read more>>
PorterStout BeerGod
I love looking at Marc Wiens. Looking at him travel the world and try different food really inspires me. I feel like I am on a tour with him, and I try to look at what I like, which translates to my tours! Read more>>
Yuanhao Tang
I developed a habit of reading comic books, manga, and picture books during my primary school years, and I’m grateful to my family for their support. They never pushed me to engage in activities I didn’t enjoy, allowing me ample time to indulge in my passion for books. In those days, parents typically gave their children pocket money after school. Read more>>
Natalia Sanchez
I try to make the most out of the creative outlets that surround me. Living in NY makes it easy to people-watch so I do that and observe their way of talking, walking, moving, I watch movies with nice visuals, listen to my ‘Discover weekly’ playlist on Spotify, read fiction books, go through editorial magazines, I journal about anything that comes to my mind; from tweets I would post if I had twitter, to dreams I had, to quotes, to random words. I always dig deeper into the things that really interest me and I never plan an hour of the day to do so, it always comes organically and in waves. Read more>>
