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.
Tam Ngo
Since I was young, I desperately craved to see more Vietnamese and AAPI representation in the media. Growing up, it felt a bit suffocating to be boxed into stereotypes like “smart, hard-working, quiet.” It felt like all my success and achievements came natural, regardless of the effort I had put into it. Read more>>
Charisse Williams
Creativity has been a cornerstone of my life, from childhood through my forties. My journey began with studying, performing, and eventually teaching dances from the African diaspora. In high school, I explored photography and visual arts, earning awards for my drawings. In college, I ended up co-directing a dance company and performing in musicals. Read more>>
Brie Stockwell
Many creatives think that if they aren’t feeling creative then it’s a problem. As creatives we love how creativity feels and want to feel it more often than not. It’s like a personal dopamine hit. The truth is that creativity and creative work takes energy. As a human, I don’t have unlimited energy (unfortunately). Keeping my creativity alive is a balance of finding inspiration, purposeful creative practice, maintaining physical stamina and taking needed breaks. Read more>>
Hartmanni
I try to constantly put myself in situations that I’m not used to. Whether that’s in a new event company or band or jam situation or work environment. Even varying genres and playing styles of music. I love to explore different genres in my production and writing even if that doesn’t “fit me” on the outside. Read more>>
Alec Dean Boeschen
I’m still figuring this one out to this day, but I think I’ve found what works for me. As a multifaceted creator/performer, I come across creative burnout quite often. My strategies for combating this have changed over the years, but one thing that remains consistent is knowing when to step away and work on or do something else. Read more>>
Lisa Grizaniuk
There are a lot of inspirational themes I tend to draw from, sometimes it’s the simplest of colors or group of colors and other times it is something that inspires me as a whole. Looking for color and repetition and making it habit makes it much easier to be inspired. Then sometimes color, repetition and inspiration find me. Usually it just hits me. Read more>>
Megan Nager
Keeping my creativity alive is essential for me because when I don’t, I really feel the difference. Life loses its vibrancy and doesn’t feel as colorful, if that makes sense. That’s why I prioritize focusing on creativity and ensuring I have some form of a creative outlet. Read more>>
Johnny Jiasheng Chen
Creativity surrounds us anytime and anywhere. It depends on how people decide whether to amplify it or not. As a designer, creativity seems like a primary and unique skill for conceptualizing ideas and visions. However, from my perspective, creative thinking can be generated by practice and mastered by iteration. Read more>>
Mari Casas
To keep my creativity alive, I focus on staying aligned with my core values and maintaining a deep connection with myself. Journaling plays a big part in this for me; it’s a thoughtful way to process my thoughts and spark new ideas. Meditation helps keep me grounded and centered, clearing my mind and opening up space for creative thoughts to flow. Read more>>
Matthew (Coaston) Langford
Honestly, keeping in touch with and healing your inner child is a great way to keep your creativity alive. I feel like when I was younger I would have creativity flowing within me to the point where I would make songs out of anything, draw, write, sing, dance, etc. Read more>>
Payal Tak
Creativity is not something that is reserved for artists, poets, and musicians. It is a skill that can be learned by anyone, regardless of ones inherent ability. In being creative, one must use their imagination, and think outside the box. Read more>>
Paula Cancino
My creativity is constantly fueled by a deep passion for creating healthier and more natural alternatives to the conventional products often found in our medicine cabinets, our home, our daily skin care routines. Read more>>
Hannah Williams
Creating candles is very creative itself, but pouring my own brand of candles I already know what scents I’m pouring and what labels I’m making. What gets me excited and really lets my creative side show is our custom branded candle service. Read more>>
Cold Medina
By living and soaking up all the different experiences life has to offer. As a creative e and independent artist, we are always on the grind trying to manage a hundred different things outside of the art and business, the burnout is real. Read more>>
JAMILA
I keep my creativity alive by writing songs based on certain life experiences I get inspired by. The beat of a song is what keeps my writing process flow a lot smoother. The end goal of writing my music, is to make sure people can relate to the lyrics and ultimately vibe to the song! Read more>>
BÄSMINI
I’m constantly working on something new whether it be music, art, modeling, videography, or photography, so I’m always keeping my brain familiar with what I love to do and give myself the time needed to refresh and create more. Read more>>
Clarisse Bertiaux
Before being creative and curious, to be an artist is above all to be sensitive, or at least endowed with a certain awareness of the world around us. And being sensitive also means having periods when, like many people, inspiration and creativity escape us. Read more>>
Anna Panovici
Keeping my creativity alive is all about staying curious and open to new experiences. I find inspiration everywhere—whether it’s through traveling, reading, or simply observing the world around me. I make it a point to surround myself with diverse perspectives and creative minds, which constantly fuels my own creativity. Read more>>
Thomas Wingerd
Keeping creativity alive is a constant negotiation with myself, my loved ones, and honestly my bank account. I’ve been a filmmaker since 2011 and professional dancer since middle school. In 2011 I made my first horror film Sublease, and after post production and successfully finishing the film I felt something that I hadn’t before. Read more>>
Devin Dugan
I keep my creativity alive by always keeping busy, and working on multiple projects in multiple areas of arts and entertainment. From comedy to writing to directing to acting and more. Keeping a foot in each area helps to keep fresh and not get burned out by just one factor of what I love to do. Read more>>
Richard A. Delgado
They way I keep my creativity alive is by always creating. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, where you are , or what circumstances you are in. If you are able to create (design, paint, write, dance, etc.), then do it. The mind is a very powerful tool to utilize, and once you let your imagination run free, there are endless possibilities. Read more>>
Aubre Boose
All creatives hate those days of blocked creativity. We may find ourselves utilizing the internet and other major media to trigger an original idea. And sometimes, when an idea emerges, we wonder whether or not it has been done before. We must remember that the stories that form in our minds have been seen somewhere but have been executed differently. Therefore, to keep creativity alive is to produce work personal to you. Read more>>
Sevgi Mülayim
I think my Child soul allows me to do this. By constantly wondering and continuing to use everything as material for yourself. Being creative requires constant observation. You have to learn to live with it. An artist should not be disconnected from the outside world. His own world and the outside world must go parallel and nourish each other. Read more>>
Frank Anthony
I keep my creativity alive by creating things that are genuine and real to me. I feel like as an artist/creative, all my work reflects pieces of me. Read more>>
Victor Burgos
Keeping my creativity alive is crucial for driving Utopia Marketing forward. I embrace a mindset of continuous innovation and exploration, constantly pushing the envelope with the latest digital marketing tools and unique strategies. Read more>>
Kate Oduh
One of the main ways I keep creativity alive is by finding inspiration in things that are usually overlooked as a possible source for inspiration. Anything from food to nature can be used as inspiration. Read more>>
Jaamal Mckeithan
I keep my creativity alive through networking, by being myself. The one thing in this world that sets us all apart is originality. No script, just me. That’s when my best work comes into part. I always seen my job as a creator is to share my vision, and let my work tell the story. Read more>>
Scott Plato
Continually performing concerts as a classical guitarist. Having outlets such as concert venues, tv performances, and recording helps me to maintain a focus and interest in working on new compositions and in seeking new creative music. Read more>>
