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.
Sarah Peirce
I love observing the world around me. As a makeup artist, I’m fascinated by the interplay of colors in nature and in images.
I read and listen to books that spark thought and deepen my understanding of nature, art, science, and history. I’m intrigued by how history and society influences fashion and art. Collaborating with other creative individuals fuels my own creativity. I often ask people about their creative outlets. Sometimes, people might not initially recognize their own creativity, but after speaking with them, it’s evident that creativity exists in many forms. Read more>>
Lu Bevins
I keep my creativity alive by remembering the very reason why I ever started: my purpose. In a world of setbacks, disappointment and pain, it’s easy to lose site of your dreams and visions but when you understand your purpose, you understand all roads lead back to it. I’m motivated by every aspect of my life now, both the good and the bad. I create because I have a testimony and I created because sharing it means helping someone else. My mission is to create visual art, film, and content that inspires and evokes change. My very own art is therapy for me but I learned long ago, it’s not just for me. Purpose will drive my creativity when I lose it and when I have an abundance of it. Read more>>
Zixuan Zhang
For me, the best approach is to simply live my life and enjoy it. I love traveling and trying new things, so I spend time exploring new cities or picking up new hobbies. These experiences help me become more creative as they broaden my horizons. Filmmaking is all about capturing people’s lives, and by fully experiencing my own, I find inspiration to create stories in a fictional way. Many people say that every filmmaker puts a part of themselves into their films, and it’s true. To bring complex characters to life, I need to experience as much as possible. But it’s not just about traveling or trying new things—you have to savor every moment. Ask yourself questions like: Why did I just do that? How do I feel right now, and why? What are the people around me doing? It’s about observation, learning, reflection, and taking notes. Traveling is the best way to immerse yourself in a completely different environment, where you meet people who live lives different from your own. You hear and see their stories, and you can learn from them, finding inspiration in their life experiences. One day, you may realize that one of your characters shares a story similar to theirs. Everything in filmmaking is grounded in and inspired by real-life events and stories. Read more>>
Dr. Garrett Hope
I believe that creativity is a skill. One that grows and can be exercised like a muscle. I also believe that creativity is the key to business and entrepreneurial success. It’s easy to see the irony in that statement since I have a doctorate in music composition (a creative degree, yes?). And still, I’ve started multiple small businesses, conferences/summits, podcasts, and taught in higher education for over 15 years. Creativity is all about seeing the world in a new way. And it’s creativity—and creative thinking in general—that allow the entrepreneur to see solutions no one has seen before. So… how does one exercise the creative muscle? Here’s what I do and what I recommend for others, even if you don’t feel creative. First, make things! Create things. Turn the noun that is “Creativity” into the verb form. You don’t have to be specially trained, or even particularly gifted to make things. And it could be anything. Write a poem (haikus and limericks are fun and easy), draw or paint a picture, compose a song or improvise a solo on guitar or piano. The key to this is the DOING and doing as regularly as possible. Just like exercise. Daily is best if you can. Second, find inspiration. See the world around you with the wonder, awe, and curiosity you had as a kid. Once we become adults we easily dismiss these feelings because we “Already know that,” or, “That’s boring!” Find something that piques your interest and explore it. Creative people are curious and because they are willing to ask questions, even the apparently silly ones, they find the solutions that are currently hidden. Read more>>
Xavier Peoples
To keep my creativity alive, I constantly seek inspiration from various sources like exploring new places, engaging with different forms of art, and interacting with people from various backgrounds. I also make time for regular brainstorming sessions and creative exercises, and maintain a routine that includes listening to entrepreneurial podcasts hitting the gym & yoga this helps keep my mind clear and open to new ideas. Read more>>
Esteban Leyva
Sometimes I do feel disconnected from my creativity. For me learning to sit still with myself has helped a lot. Giving self a chance to pause the mind. Almost reboots everything and a spark of creativity allows me to see things with a different perspective. Also, long walks in nature or beach really ground me. Read more>>
Sebastien Bertrand
I read a lot: from fiction, plays, graphic novels, essays, books on writing, etc. I also listen to podcasts and watch a lot of TV and movies of all genres. The variety in the content I consume is key. A good story is a good story, no matter the package it’s in. Everything and anything can trigger a creative spark—a stroll in a park, a subway ride, a night out with friends, an overheard conversation, etc. Read more>>
Sang Miao
For me, the process of creating illustrations is one where joy and pain coexist. The joy comes from the bursts of inspiration and the gradual exploration during the creative process, while the pain comes from gathering and integrating reference materials and trying to fully realize the inspiration. However, it is precisely this contradiction in feelings and experiences that can lead to the creation of soulful works. As for how to maintain creative vitality, I believe that the most important thing is to maintain a curiosity and desire to explore everything in the world. Sometimes, I find myself staring at a strangely shaped ancient tree, looking up at its dense canopy through the sunlight. At that moment, I imagine that perhaps this tree is the headquarters of a tiny tribe, and maybe the squirrels on the tree are their steeds. When the sun sets, they might come down from the tree to forage in the human city. I have many such imaginations and curiosities, and they can all serve as sources of inspiration for my creations. However, merely having curiosity is not enough to sustain long-term creative vitality; careful observation, exploration, contemplation, and experimentation are also essential. Additionally, reading can provide me with more inspiration and perspectives, preventing me from being trapped in my own mundane imagination. Read more>>
Nooshin Rostami
Creativity is not something I keep alive; rather, it is what keeps me alive. The first hours of the day are the most sacred to me. After writing a few pages of stream-of-consciousness, an exercise in listening to my inner voices, I close my eyes for intentional deep breathing and often do a visualization meditation. In this daily practice, I discovered a reptilian creature with wings that once appeared as an androgynous figure of wisdom in my consciousness and stayed with me ever since. This lovely and kind-hearted dragon comes to pick me up for journeys above the mountains or in deep water when I need emotional guidance. There is no limit to time and space on a dragon ride. Our last ride was on a hot summer day when I woke up feeling drained, sad, and overwhelmed because of a hurtful interaction I had the day before. After writing my morning pages, I sat down to meditate. A voice inside reminded me to meet with the dragon. Our ritual of finding one another starts with deep breaths in and out, while I imagine my body filling with warm and soothing light particles until they overflow from the crown of my head into the room. Read more>>
Danielle Bero
It’s the only part of all of this that matters in my opinion. It’s why we are alive, to create, to imagine, to collaborate, to build, to play… Read more>>
Alexandra Colchado-scott
For me creativity is built on the influx of trial and error and not being afraid to fail. What a lot of people don’t see behind the scenes is testing new building methods, trialing double stuff balloon colors to create new colors, and really taking the time to make builds on our own time to create our own styles. Our community is so wonderful and is just filled with really talented artist that really inspire and help each other out. Read more>>
Sarah Boller
To keep my creativity alive, I’ve made it a priority to take regular days off. In our fast-paced society, especially with the constant buzz of social media, there’s often pressure to always be working on something. But the reality is, we all need rest to truly flourish. By the end of 2023, I was completely burned out, which forced me to reevaluate how I run my business. I realized that I was overworked and just trying to survive. In survival mode, I couldn’t deliver my best work or tap into my creative potential. Photography for me began as a passion—a space to create and dream. Even though it’s now my full-time career, I still need that space to create without the constraints of pressure, expectations, or deadlines. That’s why I’ve committed to taking at least one full day off each week. On these days, I disconnect entirely: no emails, no social media, just time spent doing what I love outside of work. Whether it’s hiking in the mountains or getting lost in a good book at a coffee shop, this intentional time of rest has made it much easier for me to access my creativity and bring my best to my clients. Read more>>
Leuras
My creativity is fuelled by new experiences and relationships so I try to say yes to as much as possible. Travel and people really inspire me and gives me material to work with. I go to the studio at least once per week and collaborate with my band mates Joel and Dillon; they’re a big part of what keeps the creativity flowing. Read more>>
Sho Konishi
I study and teach every day, so I always try to input some new things to my brain to be creative to do output. Read more>>
Felycia Hodges
Keeping my creativity alive involves a mix of seeking new experiences, continuous learning, and surrounding myself with inspiring people. I make it a point to step outside of my comfort zone regularly, whether that’s through traveling to new places, trying different cuisines, or engaging in creative activities that are not directly related to my field. Staying updated with industry trends also plays a crucial role. Additionally, I draw inspiration from everyday environments, like a casual walk or a visit to the grocery store, capturing moments and ideas through photography. I value the insights and energies of my peers and mentors, whose diverse perspectives often challenge my own and spark new ideas. Read more>>
Keita Hagiwara
My creativity is largely inspired by the diverse array of people I’ve encountered throughout my life, not just those within my professional circle. This inspiration can come from friends, family, and even from unexpected sources like pets or locations outside my usual environment. Each individual brings their own unique perspective and way of thinking, creating a rich tapestry of ideas that fuels my imagination. The varied angles of thoughts are always enjoying moment. Keep going out and believe your idea. thats how I keep creativity mind all the time. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Gallaher
I keep my creativity alive by not pushing myself and taking breaks when I need it. I’ve noticed when I push myself too much I tend to burn out quicker. There is days where I feel like I never want to touch social media ever again. Being in the business of social media it’s 24/7 so I remind myself it’s okay to have “creator’s block” or feel stuck. I end up giving it a few days and then I get back up and just go for it. Read more>>
Bonnie Afsary
I keep my creativity alive by showing up to do the work, regardless of whether or not I feel like it. I feel lucky to be alive during a time when we have endless ways to access art. I’m so grateful to live in a city like LA where there’s a multitude of art galleries to visit and incredible museums with rotating exhibits. It’s also amazing, that with the click of a post, I can learn about other artists in different states and countries. I look at social media as a canvas on which millions of artists around the world can share their work. And of course, I keep my creativity pulsating by fueling my days with music. It’s profound how listening to a song can take on a life of its own and save the day. Read more>>
Sara Obando
As most designers, I got into this creative field because I love creativity. And people often think we creatives are naturally always flowing with new ideas waiting to be brought to live. Which is not completely untrue, but it’s hard to train ourselves to use our creativity in a focused way, which is what we need in order to stay on top of projects. As a teenager, I was the random weird kid carrying a notebook around everywhere I went to. Because I was always ready to draw and write whatever came into my mind. Going into graphic and web design was a choice I made easily when time came for college, because I knew that’s where I could put my creativity to good use. But in college you are forced to use that creativity again and again for work. Paintings, essays, readings — all that energy that was free flowing before gets exhausted just trying to keep up with the load of homework. And work as well, if you were already working as a designer somewhere while studying like I did! By the end of the day, there wasn’t any creativity left for my hobbyist self. It wasn’t until years after college, and working a regular desk job doing web design work, that I realized the creative spark was barely there. I had gotten used to keeping things simple, following the company brand guidelines, functional although somewhat boring creative work that got the job done. Creativity in a box. Read more>>
Kyle Nash
I find creativity in music. The nostalgia a song can bring at any moment. I also find creativity in my family, tv shows documentaries on cooking, drawing techniques, and travel. I enjoy seeing someone who works at their craft and has the discipline to carry that out daily. Read more>>
Amy June Tejeda
Hey everyone, it’s Amy June! Keeping creativity alive can be challenging, but the key is to just keep creating. Here are some tips that help me stay inspired: Tips to Keep Your Creativity Alive: • Stay Curious: Always explore new topics and ask questions.
• Create a Stimulating Environment: Surround yourself with things that inspire you.
• Engage in Creative Exercises: Set aside daily time for activities like drawing or brainstorming.
• Collaborate and Network: Join creative communities and seek feedback.
• Embrace Failure: Don’t be afraid to take risks and learn from mistakes.
• Maintain a Positive Mindset: Keep a positive outlook and practice gratitude.
•Keep Learning: Take classes and explore new fields for fresh perspectives.
• Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness meditation or brain dumping (getting all your thoughts, goals, dreams out on a piece of paper) can clear your mind for creativity.
• Stay Active: Regular exercise boosts mood and cognitive function.
Remember, the key is to just keep creating. Stay inspired and keep pushing your boundaries! Read more>>
Ze Feng
To keep my creativity alive, I stay curious and open to new experiences, constantly exploring different forms of art and technology. Balancing my professional work with personal projects allows me to experiment and push creative boundaries. Engaging with a supportive community and taking time for reflection also helps maintain my passion and motivation. Read more>>
Haven Deanglis
I try to immerse myself in the work of other artists that I admire, my contemporaries and those from the past. Fashion and garment design are always changing, but the pieces that inspire me the most stay in my head for years. I love going to museums and galleries, not only garments but exhibitions of fiber and more sculptural textile art. Read more>>
Heather Hua
I first became aware of and began to develop my art style during a period when I was emotionally the most repressed. The inability to accept myself led to a great deal of regret, pain, and deep despair, while a fragile yet resilient vitality within me continuously struggled to break free from this state. This consistent struggle caused me to experience some of the most emotionally intense times of my life. With no mental outlet, my thoughts eventually turned into paintings. My initial creativity came from ruminating on pain. Starting from that time, I also read books, which connected me to a broader mental world. With more input and accumulation, I had more ideas and a greater desire to express them. Additionally, some intriguing dreams under pressure provided me with unexpected inspiration. Now, I continue to get inspiration from external sources such as reading and short trips (life drawing), as well as from dreams and fragments of thoughts. Read more>>
Charles Constant
For me, it’s not really a question of keeping creativity alive. I think it just an innate part of who I am and it’s just there and I think it’s there in everyone to a greater or lesser degree. We tend to think of creativity in terms of “The Arts” only, but I think it is everywhere. I think creativity is always alive in everyone; that’s part of being a human being. Look where the human race began and where we are now. It wasn’t just a few Homo habilis creating stone tools 2 million years ago that got us to where we are now. Humans are just naturally creative. Obviously, some people are blessed with perhaps a greater degree of creativity. Some people get paid to be creative. Others create for fun or relaxation, Still other create out of necessity. And what IS creativity anyway? I think of my mother, who was the “typical” 1950”s/1960’s housewife. Now THAT woman was creative! Running a household with there children, a husband and a father-in-law in it, preparing three (very tasty) meals every single day of the year, cleaning, organizing, keeping my father on track, keep my siblings and I on track. Amazing! The amount of creativity that that job required is staggering. Maybe “How do you stimulate your creativity” is a question I can more easily answer. I mediate twice a day in addition to spending time in bed when I wake-up, just letting my mind wander in that Theta-Alpha state. I keep a digital recorder next to the bed, so if I come up with anything that seems worth pursuing I can make note of it. I can’t even count the number of “Million-dollar Ideas” I lost by not recording them while they were fresh in my mind.Going to museums, reading, just walking outside and not focusing on anything concrete such as my current problems or challenges also help. Read more>>
