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.
Camry Sivic
Keeping my Creativity alive comes from social media and other artists and movies. Seeing different eras of hairstyles and combining them with today’s look is genius to me. I’ve always had a thing for art so coloring hair brings me joy to bring a vision to life. Read more>>
Sarah Greene
I keep my creativity alive my finding ways to share my passions of dance and yoga. I recently started a fitness startup called diy. It is a 60-minute dance-infused yoga class accessible and affordable for all. I created this platform to share movement in a fun and collaborative way. Being creative is not something accomplished by one but by many. I love collaborating with fellow artists to come up with new ideas. Read more>>
Maurice Johnson
I make a lot of music lol I also design shoes..kids and adults…i try to step outside of the box and try new things with music and designs. Read more>>
Leann Vardiman-erving
I really don’t have any way. that I keep it alive. I feel like my creativity is its own living organism. At times it lays dormant and I feel like I don’t have any more music in me left to give. But then all of a sudden, I will here a beautiful piano riff and all of a sudden I’m back at my table, creating a beat, I let my creativity speak to me and I don’t try to force it. Read more>>
Jahn
In Andre Breton’s 1928 text “Nadja”—a memoir of sorts after a woman of the same name—he recalls several of her poetic assertions. Among them is the troubling, beautiful fragment “…with the end of my breath, which is the beginning of yours.” As a painter, I work with only used supports, often discarded building materials. The evidence of prior interventions—nail holes, graphite markings, and so on—situate the beginning and end of my breath, as it were. Read more>>
Camila Quiñones
I love what I love, and I’m unapologetic about it. It sounds so simple, but it’s the truth.
I remember a few years back, after finishing a feature script, I began writing a pilot. The feature script had been a coming of age adventure story rooted in Taino mythology, and I figured my next script should be the complete opposite of that. Something grounded in reality and less fantastical. I thought this would be the most strategic next step in my writing. While I do believe it is important to be strategic with your work to succeed in different areas of business, there’s a balance to the two I had not discovered at that time. I was entirely focused on external reasons to write rather than my personal reasons. You can imagine where this goes… something wasn’t working, and I struggled to land on the story I wanted to tell. Read more>>
Historia Yi Wang
To keep my creativity alive, I draw from a variety of influences and activities that stimulate different aspects of my mind. Filmmaking, for example, is a deeply immersive experience that blends art and technology in ways that constantly push me to innovate. My work, especially with Big Carrot Production, is about combining traditional storytelling with cutting-edge digital tools like CGI and virtual reality. This balance of the old and the new keeps me engaged, as I’m always learning and experimenting with new methods of conveying stories in unique, engaging ways. Read more>>
Diego Bonilla
I keep my creativity alive by constantly looking at other creative work online or around me. I love seeing what other people can do, it just fuels me to keep getting better and try new things. Read more>>
Kayla Barrera
The way I keep my creativity alive is to put myself in new situations as often as possible and that is by traveling often. My creativity and passion comes from learning and experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. It brings life to my thoughts and therefore sparks my creativity. Read more>>
Lucie Fleming
It’s not easy! The odds are stacked against those of us trying to build a career in the arts. Every time I start to feel discouraged or jaded or — the worst– jealous of others, I have to remind myself to just keep going, to find the momentum. A dear friend of mine calls it “following the green lights.” They have taken on many different forms for me, big and small, including individuals, projects, classes, play readings, etc. This past year I was struggling to feel artistically stimulated and creatively alive and I ended up applying for an acting residency in Clarksdale, Mississippi to study the plays of Tennessee Williams. I had only even become aware of the program’s existence because of an email passed along to me from a colleague. Green light! Since acting opportunities are so few and far between, we have to throw ourselves into every gig and let it energize us so that we can get through the inevitable waiting and longing periods without losing hope. Read more>>
Heather Mcford
Honestly, it’s about staying connected to the things that light me up both in work and life. I spend a lot of time outdoors because that’s where I feel most at home and most myself. Whether I’m hiking a trail I’ve done a hundred times or finding a new dirt road to explore, being surrounded by nature gives me the clarity and perspective I need. Plus, it’s impossible not to feel inspired when you’re standing on the side of Mount Rainier with the wind in your face or watching the mist roll through the Redwoods.. Read more>>
Mary Devincentis
The foundational practice which supports and fosters my creativity as an artist is the cultivation of mindfulness, which means that I begin as well as punctuate each day with periods of meditation. When you can re-train your heart, mind and body to be fully present in each given moment, the world of experience is never routine or stale. Instead, it is a source of fascination and wonder and provides a wealth of possibilities for creative inspiration. Read more>>
Wenjie Zhao
Keeping my creativity alive is an exciting journey that blends hands-on art-making with soaking up New York’s vibrant art scene. I love diving into personal projects like drawing, ceramics, sculpting, and photography — there’s something magical about getting my hands dirty and bringing ideas to life. At the same time, living in a city bursting with creativity, I make it a point to explore galleries and museums, letting the incredible diversity of art energize and inspire me. It’s like a constant dialogue between creating and appreciating — a dynamic duo that keeps my imagination fresh and my creativity thriving! Read more>>
Dj Pocket
In order to keep my creativity alive there are multiple things I do. For starters, I make sure I keep positivity around me at all times. From family and friends to the music I listen to and the content I consume, for the most part (besides the news and some social media posts I may come across) I keep it positive, educational and just things that make me happy overall. Happiness is everything to me! Read more>>
Alpha The Wolf
You have to embody your art , become a medium for it. There’s a certain reverence that swells when it comes to manifesting my work. The mind is spongey, in life this is generally a good thing. This is even more so the case when it comes to our subconscious mind. What you absorb has a direct correlation within you even if you aren’t aware of it. Read more>>
Jahmir Noble
Creativity isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you choose to cultivate, especially when life gets hard. For me, creativity has always been about finding new ways to move forward when the road gets tough. It’s in the moments of doubt, uncertainty, and even failure that I’ve learned to create something meaningful. Read more>>
Susana Silva
Well I think Creative is everything. As creatures and as human we are part of the universe which is the most interesting creation. In my opinion creativity has to be cultivated through the observation. , stay present in the moment paying attention to the details is a good way to stimulate the creativity. What I try to do is keep myself curious and embracing my days with music is super important to me. Other think is take brake to contemplate and then try to open the door to the new. Read more>>
Eleonora Balducchi
I am a very visually driven person, and my inspiration often comes from visual input. For instance, I love visiting museums to discover the work of the masters, but I don’t like to set boundaries when it comes to sources of inspiration. I frequently explore forms of art that are far removed from what I do and I think that travelling in particular, experiencing new places, flavours, smells, cultures and people, is an incredibly prolific way of sparking new ideas. Read more>>
Sukalp Bhatija
I believe the ability to be creative is a gift, not an acquired skill. You are either born creative and privileged enough to be nurtured in an open and positive environment by your parents and caretakers, or you’re not. A phrase I heard in one of my lectures in grad school that always resonated with me is, “Creativity thrives in positivity.” The way I interpret this is that all you need is a positive environment to thrive and be your most authentic self. I also define creativity as the ability to think outside the box, seek unconventional routes to solve problems, consider various perspectives rather than thinking in a straight line, possess a bold imagination, communicate unapologetically, and maintain an optimistic outlook. So basically, being a child. Read more>>
Mackenzie Fisher
I love having such a creative mind, but there are definitely times when I get a creative block. Every artist knows that experience. A full blank, white page with the cursor blinking at you over and over again but you still cannot think of anything. There are many different ways one can keep creativity alive. I try to keep creativity alive by doing different things outside of the film industry. I love being a part of the film industry but it is not my only creative outlet. One of my biggest outlets is writing. In my undergrad I was an English major where I specialized in poetry. I absolutely love poetry and feel like it is such a good way for me to be creative. I always joke that everyone has a childhood story or film that they connect with, that shapes a lot of their art when they are older. For Taylor Swift it’s Peter Pan, but for me my inspiration comes from Alice in Wonderland. Read more>>
Seth Kaye
Creativity is a muscle you have to exercise to keep in shape. As someone who has spent the last three decades immersed in one form of photography or another, like anyone who has had this kind of longevity in a career, there have been times when that muscle had begun to atrophy. It’s through having personal and business goals, as well as an innate sense of curiosity, that, when needed, I’ve been able to massage creativity back to where I need it to be. Read more>>
Kennidi & Sydney Cottle & Bryant
At Aggie Media Group, creativity is at the heart of everything we do. As a student-run organization, we look for creativity in every member we bring on board. Once they join, we make sure it thrives by keeping our process as open as possible. We let all ideas flow freely, then work together to refine them to fit the needs of our clients or events. Read more>>
Ashleycae Lee
This is a great question.. how do I? These days I’m so focus on wanting to leave a piece of me behind, so I create different types of media for creativity to live. Rather it’s my albums, Black God or Poetic Advisory, or even physical paintings people have bought from me or that sit in galleries. My art and creativity lives in many spaces that will far outlast me. Read more>>
Nicolas Casanova
I believe creativity is a natural part of who we are! You can find inspiration everywhere – whether you’re out for a drive, taking a relaxing walk, or simply enjoying other forms of art. Read more>>
Jordan Rumsey
I try best to find little things that keep me motivated. I love creating content and if I ever don’t have motivation, I love to put on a really fun playlist and try to locate some cool spots in my bedroom to take photos. I also have a variety of different props that I can use so I always like to mix up different things. Some days I would like to match my props to the clothes that I’m wearing and other days I will just do free range. Read more>>
Zheyi Zhang
Many people think that artistic creation depends on inspiration—and while there’s some truth to that, it’s far from the whole story. I’ve never really had a problem with “creative drought.” My real struggle is having too many artistic ideas and not enough time to bring them to life. My notebooks are packed with plans and concepts. So when it comes to the question of how to stay creative, I’d say I’m a pretty good person to ask. Read more>>
Leah Markman
As I expand my business from a creative endeavor to a full production line of clothing, this question is something I love to dive into and explore. Being a full time artist, there are times where I may feel more like an automaton than an artist. Between the love and the design, work still needs to get done and fighting the stagnation of production work can prove to be the biggest villain in any creative business. I’ve found the best way to keep the creativity flowing is through experimentation and collaboration. Read more>>
Dominic Moore-dunson
Creativity is like a living, breathing thing—it evolves with you as you live your life. For me, it’s so deeply tied to family, identity, and legacy. One of the most defining moments of this connection came in February 2023. My wife and I took our toddlers—who were three and two at the time—to the library, like we did every Thursday. The kids were playing in the children’s section, and I was starting to get restless. So, I wandered over to look for books to take home. That’s when I saw this shelf labeled Children’s Books About Difficult Topics. If you know me, you know that’s my lane. I pulled out this book with colorful balloons on the cover called The Remember Balloons. Read more>>
9olar
That’s a tough question to answer because it can vary from person to person. I don’t want someone to think my response is false because the process didn’t work for them like how it did for me. But, I personally usually just listen to other musical artists. I always listen to how they sing or mix their vocals. Listening to different genres of music helps me get inspired to make different forms of art. The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can create. Read more>>
Laura Bailey-wickins
As a digital marketing professional, my work often requires that I leverage both the left and right sides of my brain. Today, digital marketers are writers, videographers, photographers, graphic designers, surveyists, data analysts, copywriters, and strategists all encapsulated into one role. While most marketers display a unique balance of both analytical and creative thinking, employers often skew heavily toward prioritizing one skill set over the other. This makes for a pretty tedious existence, which will inevitably affect your work. So pretty early on, I developed what is now my longest-standing principle, and what has shaped how I work with clients and my approach toward all areas of my life: live as much as possible so that you may develop as many perspectives, approaches, and experiences to become an all-around interesting person. Your clients will thank you, but most importantly so will your future self. Read more>>
Greg Philippi
First to answer your question I think it’s helpful for me to clarify just what creativity is. For me creativity is the ability to generate new ideas, concepts, or solutions and it involves thinking outside the box and in some cases building a new box. Creativity doesn’t just apply to performing and the arts either but can be an approach to problems or tasks and it can provide results.. Read more>>
Daisy
I feel like my creativity it’s something that comes out naturally. I’ve been interested in art since a very young age, and as how the years were passing by I have adapted and enhanced my skills to express myself. I always look to express myself through my work, a painting, a drawing, fashion, a makeup look or even a photoshoot. I’m always thrilled to keep on going and keep improving my skills to expose my talent out there for people to see. I think I have found my calling through my makeups and my social media it’s all about expressing who I am in my own unique way. I promote self love and I always try to connect with people in all aspects. Read more>>
Amitoj Kaur
Keeping my creativity alive has never been about one singular source of inspiration or a lightning-bolt moment of genius. It’s about the life I’ve intentionally built—a blend of structure and spontaneity, purpose and play. I’ve come to realize that my creativity thrives when I balance multiple identities, stay curious, create with purpose, and make space for reflection. It’s this intentional approach that keeps my ideas fresh, my passions alive, and my spirit energized. Read more>>
Eric Hsieh
As a music producer and artist, creativity is the heart of everything I do. To keep it alive, I focus on three main areas: inspiration, routine, and balance.
First, I actively seek inspiration from diverse sources—whether it’s listening to new genres of music, attending live performances, or simply immersing myself in the energy of NYC. Sometimes, creativity strikes when I least expect it, like during a walk through the city or a quiet moment at home. Read more>>
Dimitri Reyes
I develop several artistic philosophies “out in the field” during Q&A’s after performances or during teaching engagements, where conversation pushes us into uncharted and unplanned territory. While having a conversation with my wife one day, she mentioned that what she appreciates about artists are how they cultivate relationships with their work. How it’s similar to how a relationship between two people are cultivated. I thought about this as I walked into one of my monthly writer’s workshops and found myself mentioning this conversation. And within the massaging of this idea, I followed the relationship metaphor and concluded that we needed to court our art– take it out on dates and show it a good time. If we concentrate on fostering a closeness with our artistic discipline, our creativity will stay healthy. Read more>>
Lauren Lastrada
I realize that my creativity is a part of me that must live even after I’m gone. So I feed it and nurture it and prepare it to leave a legacy for those that will come after me. I’m just the vessel. Read more>>
Mikayla Rodriguez
My relationship to creativity has been built primarily through having to learn how to adapt to constantly moving around at a young age. Embracing adaptability, as opposed to rejecting inevitable change, I’ve found that the most beautiful nuggets of inspiration and motivation come from expanding your community. This embrace empowers my creativity because it has taught me how to be an impactful collaborator, creative problem solver, and admirer of life. Embracing adaptability alone has granted me the ability to continually stay curious, thus keeping my expressions and desire to create alive. Read more>>
Emily Gaffney
In any line of business where your work is repetitive, it’s easy to grow burnt out. As a full time artist, I have faced seasons where I don’t feel as creative or passionate about my craft and feel the presence of hobby turned business strongly. I counter this by creating floral pieces for myself or my loved ones, investing time in other hobbies like reading, journaling, painting, or finding a new diy project. It keeps me focused on recalling how my business started- as a true passion to create! Read more>>
Dreama (simeng) Lin
I keep my creativity alive by staying curious about everything around me. I love exploring new ideas, whether it’s diving into a subject I know nothing about or picking up a new skill just to see where it takes me. I’ve realized that the moment I stop being curious, my creativity starts to fade, so I make it a habit to keep asking questions and looking for new ways to see the world. Read more>>
Jay Kelly
As a band it can be hard to keep everyone motivated all the time, but I think if you are serious about music and if you really believe in it and you really love it, then you just keep creating and trying to develop new ideas. Read more>>
Tyler Walsh
Honestly, I think it comes down to staying curious. I’m constantly observing. Whether it’s people, music, or what’s trending online. I try to approach every situation like I don’t know anything and just ask questions. That mindset keeps things fresh. Plus, I make it a habit to look back at what’s worked before and figure out how I can remix or evolve it.
And honestly? I just love what I do. When you genuinely enjoy something, it’s way easier to keep finding new ways to approach it. Oh, and surrounding yourself with creative people is huge, it’s like their energy and ideas rub off on you, and it pushes you to level up. Read more>>
Tyressia B
To keep my creativity alive, I immerse myself in experiences that inspire me. For instance, I stay up-to-date with design trends and marketing strategies by following industry leaders and exploring platforms like Behance and Pinterest. I also set aside time to experiment with new tools and techniques, as I believe hands-on learning helps me uncover fresh ideas.
I also find inspiration outside the digital space by engaging with different art forms, attending networking events, and collaborating with other creatives. These interactions often spark new perspectives and keep me motivated. Read more>>
Ken The Rapper
To keep my creativity alive especially as an artist, I remind myself that inspiration is literally everywhere. I just need to stay open to it. I experiment with new techniques, genres, or mediums, even if they feel way outside my comfort zone. Immersing myself in music and the real world feeds my imagination. I also remember why I create. When I feel stuck, I take breaks, explore the world, and give my mind space to wander. Creativity is a practice, and nurturing it means staying curious, fearless, and authentic in everything I do. Read more>>
