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.
Tony And Leslie Garcia
We keep our creativity alive by surrounding ourselves with other creative people and out of the box thinkers. We love the community of authors and readers that we have the privilege of interacting with on a daily basis. It helps fuel both of us in our own author journeys Tony as an established independent author and Leslie currently working on her first novel. Creativity is contagious. Read More>>
Eli Emmitt
Since I was very young I was surrounded by music, and because of this, music has always been a form of deep passion, joy, and therapy for me. I didn’t begin to write music until I was in my teens, but I soon realized the immense joy that comes out of creating, I never went back. Sometimes this intrinsic passion to create is enough to keep my creativity alive, but often given the pressures of the music industry, and the presence of writer’s block and fatigue I forget to tap into the deep well of joy and peace that creativity holds. Read More>>
Dale Penner
I keep my creativity alive by working with exciting young artists. Artists that only know the way the music business is now. It’s refreshing and I always learn something on every single project.
Over the course of my career there have been ongoing technical advances that open up all sorts of new ways to create. I embrace these changes and am always trying new ways to make music. I love listening to new releases and get fired up when I hear something cool and unique. Read More>>
Shazia Adhikari
As a resin artist, I keep my creativity alive by constantly exploring new ideas. Being a full time working mom of three, my days are full, but art is my space to breathe and express. I make time to experiment—whether it’s trying new pigments, textures, or combining resin with different materials. I also follow other artists, attend local art fairs, and engage with the art community, which keeps me motivated and open to fresh perspectives. Read More>>
Lipika Devara
I keep my creativity alive by being present in the moment. I find inspiration in the small, often overlooked moments of daily life—like the way rain sounds against a window or how someone’s expression changes mid-conversation. I love talking to people, even strangers, and building real connections. These conversations often lead to unexpected stories that spark new ideas. Read More>>
Michael Jay Cresswell
As a songwriter and producer I need to create new original material, from the age of 20 I have spent half of my life travelling abroad, working with music and meeting many people from many different cultures, from Europe to America to cambodia, experiencing different cultures have kept me creating new original music and loving every moment Read More>>
Nellie Wells
For me, always finding a way to make things enjoyable helps me keep my creativity stay alive. I love curating new recipes and ideas for my customers! I have always been a creative person. Read More>>
Jamie Lammers
Ultimately, I don’t keep my creativity alive, creativity keeps me alive. I’ve realized more and more over the years, but particularly as 2025 has progressed, that expressing myself and understanding the world through art is what I feel I am the best at. I get nervous before some performances, absolutely. I often want to be a perfectionist when it comes to my art, absolutely. That being said, I love simply trying new things and seeing what happens. For a long time, I embraced the mentality of a project potentially changing my life, and now, I realize that even if a project doesn’t change my life, it still motivates me to perform, create, and share what I love most about art and inspiration. Read More>>
Adam Douglass
There are so many myths, or even just bad and sometimes toxic ideas about creativity in the music business. From jazz musicians thinking they had to do heroin to play like Bird, to songwriters thinking that being in a healthy romantic relationship will stifle their ability to write good songs. All of that is absolute nonsense. Creativity stems from the input of new ideas into the mind of a creative person, and the creative mind corrupting those ideas into something completely new. Read More>>
Jessica Joyce
I keep my creativity alive by coming up with new choreography, costume ideas and settings for ballet productions I direct and classes I teach. I do my best to change it up by switching between classical and contemporary and holding classes, rehearsals and performances at different locations. I also work with many different types of artists and musicians. I try to have the versatility to work with all different genres of music. Read More>>
Sydney Newland
As a photographer, creativity isn’t just something I strive for—it’s the very lifeblood of what I do. It’s what makes each session feel alive, what helps me connect with clients in a genuine, emotional way, and what keeps me from ever feeling stagnant behind the lens. But staying inspired in a world that’s constantly shifting and saturated with imagery takes intentional effort. For me, creativity is like a garden: it thrives with the right kind of nourishment, curiosity, and a little bit of chaos. Read More>>
Said Saliba
Creativity has played a major role in my career path, starting with my first major in advertising and marketing, where I ranked first in all my creativity classes and even placed in the top 10 on a creativity test. In my second major, interior architecture, creativity was central to developing concepts and solving design problems. Read More>>
Josiah Jones
I keep my creativity alive in various ways. I plan and carry out personal projects for myself that I want to display in my portfolio. I don’t always wait until someone books me to take pictures. I go to a school with many talented creatives such as models and other photographers so I reach out to give them the platform to showcase their gifts and collaborate. I believe collaborations bring so many unexpected but great results. These different types of photoshoots allow me to test my skills and learn new ones. Read More>>
Kyra Jones
I keep my creativity alive by honoring silence. Some of my best ideas are born when I’m not actively trying to be creative, but instead sitting in stillness—just allowing my mind to settle and my spirit to speak. One of my proudest creations, Investor’s Dilemma, came to me after sitting in silence for an hour. I had no agenda—just a moment to breathe, reflect, and listen. And out of that quiet came the clarity for a workshop that would later change lives. Read More>>
Jen Malavé
I’m always looking for inspiration, to be inspired in the little things. It could be the colors in the new leaves on the trees or the way a dish is decorated and served at dinner. I could be inspired by a quote I saw on a Tshirt or a baby crying in the line at checkout, not having their way but so sure the world is set up to work in their favor. I’m inspired by that notion. Anything that gets my creative juices flowing and I can find a new path to explore. New ideas to achieve the same goals. Inspiration is what drives me to keep going. Read More>>
Addie Stallings
As an artist, I’ve found that the best way to keep creativity alive is to intentionally feed my senses. I surround myself with things that inspire me, like colors, music, nature and good conversation. Creativity is something that cannot be forced, so I try to stay open to the world around me and let inspiration present itself. Simple things like the way light hits a wall, a lyric or line from a song, or just a word within conversation can spark an idea. Read More>>
Jackie Schletter
Creativity is likely to be a challenge at some point for all artists. I tend to specifically photograph birds, so keeping one species fresh as a nature photographer can be even more of a challenge. My foray into creative shooting is one way I keep the ideas flowing. Experimenting with camera settings and light along with post processing techniques helps, as does venturing out of what I gravitate to naturally. I find travel helps a great deal. I recently spent two weeks in Indonesia which offered a multi-genre opportunity for my mind and my camera. Landscape, mammals, and people were all delightful and a new challenge. Read More>>
Alex Giffen
I keep my creativity alive by picking up nearly any medium that strikes me. Printmaking will always be my career but sometimes, especially after a decade of merely being a really nice tool in a really nice shop, I need to just flit off and learn stained glass or twist up a field of barbed wire flowers. It’s my way of taking care of myself as a creative tool at the service of others, making sure I still get to make for the sake of making. Lately I have been making more Damnbanas (my version of a bandana, slightly larger and wilder) and collaging as well. Read More>>
Paige Metcalf
As a photographer, I keep my creativity alive by constantly seeking new perspectives—whether it’s chasing golden hour light in familiar places or experimenting with unconventional angles and techniques. I draw inspiration from everyday moments, letting mood, movement, and emotion guide my lens. When I feel stuck, I step away, explore other art forms, or collaborate with other creatives to reignite my vision. V
Ciana Shaeffer
“How do you keep creativity alive?” is probably one of the most subjective and multifaceted questions a person can ask someone in any creative space, which is why I really resonate with it. You see, I believe that creativity never really dies. Sure, sometimes the wells of inspiration run dry leaving you have to look elsewhere for it, but it’s never truly gone. Actually, I’d argue that this is a vital part to continuing to live in the creative cycle. Read More>>
Rodrigo Magela
As a freelance illustrator, I often experience periods without jobs, and to combat anxiety, I must keep practicing. While it’s not easy, this practice has been the best way to manage my worries about finances and maintain my sanity.
It’s essential for creativity to remain “sharp” in your mind. Although I’m passionate about drawing, there are times when I’m not in the mood to practice with the goal of being more productive. Feeling discouraged during these times is completely normal, and distractions are everywhere—social media, video games, cell phones, and various apps can easily pull my attention away. Read More>>
Megan Armstrong
Being part of the art and design industry, maintaining a sense of individual creativity can be challenging. With the constant evolution of trends and the fast-paced influence of social media, staying true to your own vision requires real dedication. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that growth—both personally and professionally—starts with believing in the worth of your own creativity. Read More>>
Leah
As a nail technician, I’m constantly inspired by the endless possibilities of color, design, and creativity. To keep my creative juices flowing, I make sure to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques, attend workshops and masterclasses, and experiment with new products and tools. But what really sparks my imagination is connecting with my clients and understanding their unique style and vision. Whether it’s a bold, bright manicure or a subtle, natural look, I love the challenge of bringing their ideas to life. Read More>>
Antonia Sitak
For me, creativity isn’t something I chase—it’s something I cultivate. I keep it alive by staying curious and living with all my senses wide open. As an actress, I draw inspiration from everyday moments: a conversation overheard at a café, the way someone looks when they think no one is watching, or the silence between two people that says more than words ever could.
I also make a point to step outside my usual rhythms—taking improv classes, reading poetry in different languages and spending time in nature. Read More>>
Cameron Adams
The key to keeping my creativity alive lies in collaboration. I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some immensely talented composers and musicians, and being in that kind of creative environment pushes me to step outside my comfort zone and challenge my own creative barriers. Working with such high-level players, who I fully trust to help me bring my vision to life, inspires me to take more risks in my writing, knowing it will lead to a recording session that’s more engaging, rewarding, educational, and ultimately more successful. Read More>>
Atenas Morales
Since I remember, I’ve always been amazed by people who have the ability to connect thoughts and situations, creating something new—and most of the time, something beautiful. I come from a family of artists, lawyers, and psychologists, and often their fields come together in a lovely kind of synergy. I was always encouraged to solve problems in a creative and graceful way. Read More>>
Marvin Hayes
From an early age, I’ve had an intense curiosity about how things work—a drive to explore and dissect what makes them tick. Not just objects, but also the way people think. In my work as an artist, I use my knowledge of media and materials to create the unexpected, often incorporating reverse psychology, opposites, absurdities, ironies, or transitions. Read More>>
Jauron Perry
I always look to my peers and other musicians around my age who are continuing to blaze their path in this industry because that helps me know I can easily do that as well and it also provides friendly competition. I also will forever listen to those that greatly influence me both current day musicians and those who have passed on. Some of my influences include Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Freddie Hubbard, and Lee Morgan. Read More>>
Cherise Michelle
I like to think of my creativity in terms of the projects I work on. Each concept truly feels like a child to me. I remember helping my mother care for my youngest brother when he was first born, and there was so much work that went into it. We’d be up all hours of the day and night changing diapers and trying so hard to calm all the screaming. It never mattered how tired we were. I think some of the earlier years really taught me about the importance of commitment–even when you aren’t feeling it. Read More>>
Keys Will
I see creativity as not only a gift but a necessity. My belief is steeped in my relationship with God and understanding that he is a creator, and so he made me in his image. If I’m not creating, I feel as though I’m wasting the gift I’ve been given and I’m doing the world a disservice by not sharing. It feels selfish to keep it to myself because it could inspire or help someone who may not have the courage to share their gifts. Read More>>
Charlene Soo
The beautiful thing about screen scoring is that it always begins with a story — and stories come in many forms. Outside of watching films, I keep my creativity alive by reading books, playing video games, and exploring different TV series (I once read 111 fantasy and romance novels in a year — I also love poetry). Each medium offers a unique way of expressing emotion and narrative, constantly sparking new musical ideas. Read More>>
Kay Kent
Keeping creativity alive has been something I always love. Without creativity, life would simply not be fun. Although creativity has been hard to keep up with lately for me, I always seem to get my spark back, whether it be looking at Pinterest for inspiration or just writing down little blurbs for my book from time to time. I always try to write at least once a week just to keep my creativity alive. Read More>>
Short Notice
Gabe: Listening to a wide selection of genres outside of just rock really helps drive our creativity by finding multiple ways to blend them all together to try and create something that sounds familiar but new.
Will: While it isn’t something I really do consciously, exposing myself to all sorts of art and media tends to be what gives me inspiration and drives my creativity. I’ve dipped my toes in several areas in this regard, starting as a writer and filmmaker, later getting into things like photography and editing, all of which have had an influence on my songwriting and overall creative process in creating music. Read More>>
Sama Jamhour
I keep my creativity alive by constantly learning and collaborating. I take online classes to stay inspired and up to date with new trends. I also love working with my business partner — we regularly brainstorm and bounce ideas off each other. That teamwork always sparks fresh, creative energy. Read More>>
Juan Abella
I keep creativity alive by improvising, letting ideas flow and not limiting what comes out. I think you get greater results the more you let yourself play and attempt things. Read More>>
Heather Wahl
Collaboration and rest are two ways I like to recharge my creativity. I find working with other people on a project exposes me to different worldviews and unexpected Ideas – a collaborator might suggest something Id never think of, or take my idea in an exciting new direction. Read More>>
Celtic Isles
We are a 4 piece Irish/Celtic/American Folk band. We each have our own musical background, so we love to bring new ideas to rehearsal. We keep the creativity flowing by listening to music we each like individually, and bringing those styles together (as a band). By listening to music in our (band’s) genre and seeing the way the same songs can sound so different by different artists. Read More>>
Hao Yan
I keep my creativity alive by constantly observing the world around me—visually and emotionally. I love seeking the reason behind every interaction. Once I found out, I would follow this lead to build a character in my mind, and try to put this character into my daily routine. I believe every human interaction, every shadow on the wall, or even the silence between words can be a seed for a story. Read More>>
