One of the most challenging aspects of creative work is keeping your creativity alive. If only it was as easy as taking a nap or giving your creative muscles some rest, but as countless creatives have shared with us, keeping one’s creativity alive is something that requires effort and intention. Below, we’ve shared some of those perspectives, stories and advice.
Aaron Farley
Creativity is innate within each of us from birth. As kids, most of us instinctively draw, build, play music, sing, dance, and learn language. It’s a natural process of experimenting, facing setbacks, and persisting. But, as we grow and mature, societal pressures and criticism can dampen our creative spirit. We may be compared to others or discouraged from pursuing new ideas. Read more>>
YaNi Davis
I was a teenager when I realized, my friends were not coming to my dad’s church for service and wanted no parts of the tradition of it all but they did love God and did want to be connected to community. I was only 14 when I knew my words could be a catalyst for change and transformation as a vessel of peace, love and wholeness for my family and friends. Read more>>
Marcus Hood
In my opinion, creativity thrives on ideas. As long as you have the courage to express your ideas without fear, creativity will never run dry. Read more>>
Mai Berjaoui
Learning has continually expanded my perspective and understanding. Beyond the knowledge gained from books, documentaries, and art, my interactions with others have been a significant source of inspiration. I see the value in every connection, no matter how fleeting it may be. Read more>>
David C Hernandez
I stay creative by actively reaching out to the world. Life happens in movement. I think a big portion of being creative is pulling from life experiences and you don’t get those by staying home, locked up in your room, in front of a screen. The world around us is so interesting and complex. Read more>>
Jiayun Chen
It’s quite exhilarating when I’m in a creative flow. Every artist knows this feeling. However, that doesn’t happen every day. I’m not the type of artist who goes to the studio daily. I let myself wonder around, observe and daydream, and I’ve also learned to intentionally, and sometimes forcefully, put myself in the zone of creating. Read more>>
Hannah Getz
Despite the fact that I work in a visual medium, I find that the way I keep my creativity alive is by reading novels. Reading enables me to visualize a story, places, and people. In forming those images I am, in essence, practicing what I do when I read a script or pitch. By doing this I find that I am better able to communicate my ideas when meeting with Directors and Producers. Read more>>
Nikki Blogs
Creativity, for me, has always been my gift to express myself freely. Whenever I feel my creativity wavering or facing a moment of difficulty to express myself, I take a moment for myself to get out of my own head; do things that bring me joy. It might be listening to my favorite song or watching a movie from my childhood to center myself. Read more>>
STELLA YANG
Visual documentation is essential in my journey. I pay close attention to things and people around me and take mental notes wherever I visit. I observe my surroundings and reflect the experience. Being creative and able to create is a process. We live in a fast pace and ever changing world with a lot of distractions, but ironically, the chaos also keep my creativity alive. Read more>>
Yangying Ren
I maintain my creative passion and ideas by continuously observing things, especially those outside of my profession. I believe true inspiration comes from the detail of life, rather than being confined to specific works or environments. I enjoy expressing everyday life in my work, and I believe that even the most boring moment can be transformed into an engaging game through design. Read more>>
Deena Sveinsson
When I started my journey as a wildlife photographer, I was inexperienced, and I was just excited to be out in nature with the wildlife. When I would take a photo of one of my subjects, the photos were always “technically” perfect. While there was nothing wrong with that, I felt that my photographs were boring and lacked creativity. Read more>>
Brandon Wooten
I keep my creativity alive by always reinventing myself. I’m like a chameleon, i can adjust to any environment. Read more>>
Comika Hartford
Every Wednesday, the B3 film collective gets together and we just spitball ideas. Sometimes I prepare and other times I just throw stuff out from the top of my head. We all take turns and pitch to each other and see what sticks. It’s been a really great way to see what has legs versus what might be interesting but is more of a situation and not really a story. Finding one’s peer group is definitely integral to progressing as an artist. Read more>>
Isani Grant
Funnily enough, I was talking to another healer and asked a similar question. I was doubting if I was truly tapped into my creative energy, and they gave me a piece of advice that I now live by. They said “We are always creating- meals, outfits, tea, etc. In your life you are always creating!” Read more>>
Julie Ogazon
I keep my creativity alive by staying curious and continuously seeking new experiences. I draw inspiration from the world around me, whether it’s through nature, art, or the simple moments of everyday life. Regularly nurturing my passion through art, reading, and traveling to new places helps spark fresh ideas. Read more>>
Brianne Kilmartin
Event bartending allows me to constantly flex my creativity. With each event comes a new theme, style, recipes, and even decor! Our bars and menus become a blank slate for whatever the event calls for, and we LOVE delighting and surprising each client with something unique that speaks to who they are as people, or the type of event they’re throwing. I believe that’s ultimately what sets us apart from other bartending companies out there. Read more>>
Luke George
Creativity is something that I always strive to keep present in my work. Whether I am shooting for a client or simply for myself, I aim to keep the same level of constant creativity and curiosity alive. If I’m not harnessing my full creativity for a client, then I’m selling myself short and wasting both of our times. Read more>>
Black Market
We need to stay in touch with the original feeling of making music we had when we were young and first started. Read more>>
Remus Ionescu
At our workshop, we use a unique blend of practices and habits to keep creativity thriving. By asking questions, exploring the “why,” and embracing new ideas, we foster an environment where inspiration flows freely and collaboration flourishes. Read more>>
Alycia Price
I love to take risks and try new things! In my artistic journey, I have discovered that anything is possible. I find natural materials everywhere I go and always find a way to incorporate them. Sometimes when I see a really unique leaf or flower, I know exactly what I can do with it and sometimes I have no idea but I know it will be put to use eventually when the creativity is flowing. I love to explore with my kids and find new things and new inspirations all around me to keep the creativity alive. Read more>>
Janice Chun
I’ve been working as a Storyboard Artist and Writer in TV Animation for over 7 years. I was a bit late into art compared to my peers so it’s been a real joy getting to draw professionally – who knew that you could get paid to make silly doodles! It’s amazing. I came from commercial and VFX work before animation so getting to make music videos and short films in between my full time work has been very full filling. Read more>>
Eileen Kantor
By constantly challenging myself. One way I do this is by practicing Yoga. Almost every morning, before the sun is up, I’ll go into the yoga studio or hit the mat in my living room. Working into postures has helped me to get out of my head. Read more>>
Courtney Cronin [Dold]
As a comedy person it’s not possible to churn out “ha” twenty four seven. There are some days when you just don’t feel funny at all. But you have to put something down on the page. Even if it sucks, even if it’s not funny at all, even if it it seems like it’s from the The Shining, just put it down. Once in a while, something comes from nothing. Read more>>
Stephanie Franco
Growing up in a low-income household with a single parent, I didn’t have the privilege of being in as many creative endeavors as much as I wish I could have. I remember growing up and seeing my peers go to fun summer camps, taking some type of swimming class, or dance classes, art camps, or sports camps. Read more>>
Reine Krief
I think that there are people that can’t help but be creative. They come in all shapes and sizes, with diverse backgrounds, personalities, and talents. In my case, I tend to be open-minded and curious, eager to explore new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. I also have a strong sense of wonder and I am constantly seeking inspiration from the world around me. Read more>>
Jen Stoeckert
I keep creativity alive by writing when I wake up if I need to. Sometimes it is an idea, other times it can be something else on my mind. Either way, if something is front and center on my mind when I wake up, I get it out of my head and onto paper. This gets my creativity flowing and unblocked if needed. Read more>>
Jeffrey Betts
I find that keeping my creativity alive requires a two-pronged approach: actively stimulating my mind and seeking inspiration from others. I make a conscious effort to work on different types of projects that tap into various skillsets. This could involve using my design thinking skills on a branding project, then switching gears to solve an engineering challenge or flexing my photographic eye during a product shoot. Read more>>
Sayali Bramhe
Firstly, I’ve had to define what creativity means to me. Being creative can look like many different things for artists and in my case, it holds a very specific feeling/texture in my daily life. Given that the field I am trying to break into seems to focus predominantly on monetary success instead of artistic value, I have also had to make a clear distinction between my personal artistic development and my professional career development. Read more>>
