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.
Christian Casola
My creativity is truly unmanageable; I smile at the funny things that come to mind every second I spend with myself. But it keeps me alive—it’s thanks to my creativity that I’ve achieved so many milestones and dreams, realized with strength and determination. My key phrase is “always believe.” Read more>>
Bo Zhang
Love and be interested in all new things around you. Perhaps many people think that life is monotonous, but as long as we are curious, there will be many surprises and interesting things around us, which are all good sources of creativity. Read more>>
Maria Rodriguez
The way I keep my creativity alive is by drawing inspiration from my daily life, culture, and the community I serve. Everything I create reflects my experiences, needs, and passion for sustainability—whether it’s candles, jewelry, body butters, or drinks. Yo soy de barrio—born in Pilsen, the heart of Chicago’s art scene, and shaped by Back of the Yards. My work is a reclamation of my indigeneity and a tribute to resilience. Art is in my DNA, my existence, and everything I build through Freedomlei State of Mind. Read more>>
Genelle Holub
Keeping creativity alive is by being clever with the type of creativity you seek. You see, there is no box with creative minds…only the next step, the “how” or the “getting” there. These look different for everyone but for me it started at the age of 7 or 8. I was fascinated with color, specifically coloring the face! Every doll, toy and action as a kid was around face fashion. The clothes for dress up needed to match my imaginary lipstick or hair color. I wasn’t allowed play makeup or any makeup growing up but it was my obsession. Read more>>
Winn Alexander
I’m always experimenting and trying something new with the music. If I find myself in a creative funk, I’ll pick up the guitar and jam out some of my favorite songs, like the Beatles Blackbird, Norwegian Wood, maybe some Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan or whatever I’m vibing with at the time. I often will run through my original songs too. Sometimes it’s just finding a cool riff and running with it. I always have a pen and notepad around. You’ll catch things people say sometimes that can make for great lyrics or song titles. I get melodies that come to me too. Sometimes a song will just naturally develop that way. The guitar is an amazing instrument and learning a new riff or coming up with a groovy chord progression is just really great to me. You gotta keep it fun. Read more>>
Jeremy Fink
I have a note on my phone that says “But is it Art?” This line is usually used as a commentary on the seriousness of an artistic work, but for me it’s a reminder that everything is creativity if you view it that way. And if you can consider your life a creative act filled with curiosity and meaning, then everything becomes art. (Easier said than done, BTW! It’s a practice with ups and downs.) Read more>>
Jane Elizabeth Dennis
I enjoy taking time to focus on a subject, theme or process intentionally for a specific outcome – for many years, I designed and made clothing; or learned to crochet and create patterns. For painting, I feel most creative when I slow down and appreciate a simple scene, there is potential to record and share that bit of inspiration. Read more>>
Sonya Cote
To keep my creativity alive, I dive deep into what I consider my normal practices—working with food and food design, coupled with the act of service. My creativity thrives in the interplay of growing, harvesting, and transforming ingredients into something meaningful. I have the unique advantage of being connected to Eden East Farm, where I can witness the life cycle of ingredients firsthand. This farm serves as an endless source of inspiration, offering perspectives that are constantly evolving and surprising in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Read more>>
Jose Jose Arrieta Cuesta
I consider myself “Un Inquieto,” which translates to being unsettled, as my family would call me. My mind tends to jump from one passion to another in short periods. I had the privilege of growing up in a playful environment where I developed friendships and explored various hobbies throughout my childhood. This kept my mind eager for the next spark that would guide me onto a new pathway. Read more>>
Shannon Tillman
Prayer. I know but the Lord says ” We have not because we ask not”. So I pray and ask that the Lors keeps me creativity flowing so that my clients will love their nails. I am a true woman of God so I ask and pray for the things that will continue to give Him all glory in my life whether business or personal. God is my everything and I am nothing without Him including my business. Prayer is my phone line to God whenever and for whatever even just a hey and a I love you. Read more>>
Jill Slaymaker
Every morning (if I’m not giving a talk or teaching a workshop) I write in a journal for thirty minutes or more: I vent, make to-do lists, and plan art works. I also write a gratitude list in there, of seven NEW things each day. (They can’t be the same ones as yesterday or last week.) Sometimes I’ll continue the list until I reach 20.
A scientific study with people suffering from depression showed that the “seven new things” gratitude technique improved their moods considerably. Read more>>
K. Lori
The way that I keep my creativity alive is by meditation. I meditate daily in a calm peaceful space and allow the creativity to come to me by way of images, shapes, and color. I do not allow myself to search for ideas in the world because then they are not mine but someone else’s. Read more>>
Jingjing Sun
As a freelance illustrator and motion media designer, I usually keep my creativity going by doing the following:
1. Stick to browsing image websites for fifteen minutes to half an hour every day and categorize the saved images, which is very important both for accumulating inspiration and improving aesthetics.
2. Get in touch with other disciplines or fields to learn from others and gain new and interesting knowledge, including photography/design/astronomy/biology/medicine and so on.
3. Do more creative training, even in the bottleneck, every day randomly draw something small, there will be progress. Read more>>
Jing Peng
To keep my creativity alive, I draw inspiration from the confluence of technology, design, and human experience. My work has always revolved around translating complex challenges into intuitive solutions, and I stay curious about how people interact with the world around them. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working on a diverse range of projects, each requiring innovative approaches and fresh perspectives and I see creativity as a practice of connection—between disciplines, users, and ideas. Read more>>
Niya Williams
My creativity stays alive through life experiences, including the events I attend, the connections I build, the emotions I fully feel & understand, the environments/rooms I walk in, and the goals I set and accomplish. Previous artworks I’ve done also pours into keeping my creativity alive. Read more>>
Louis Douyon
My creativity is deeply rooted in real-world experiences. To keep it alive, I actively seek out new adventures and perspectives. I find inspiration in conversations—listening to people share their interests, untold stories, and unique life experiences. These moments ignite my curiosity and push me to explore unfamiliar territory. As a filmmaker, this translates into experimenting with new methods of storytelling. Whether it’s trying out cutting-edge gear, discovering fresh angles, or collaborating with diverse individuals, each experience shapes my creative approach and keeps my passion for filmmaking thriving. Read more>>
Ruslan Khromin
My inspiration always comes from within: my past experiences, fears, and even dreams. Sometimes, I have the craziest visions at night and later only remember parts of them, yet certain ideas stick with me, and I always try to jot them down on a piece of paper or in my Notes app before they disappear. Read more>>
Maggie Bell
This is a good question. I think any creative person would agree, at times it can be difficult and others it flows so naturally it can be hard to explain into words. I really try to keep an open positive outlook even if I’m having a bad day/ week/ month and look for other ways I can be creative besides just with my work. I always find myself back with nature to reflect and redirect myself. Read more>>
Shitong Lyu
As a designer, I keep my creativity alive by staying curious about the world around me. When I see interesting compositions or details, I capture them through photos and turn them into poster designs as a fun creative exercise.
I also make time for regular figurative sketching. This practice helps me stay connected to the flow of lines and forms while giving me space to explore movement, emotion, and storytelling. Sketching feels both grounding and inspiring—it’s a way to reconnect with the joy of creating. Read more>>
Keonna Rutley
I keep my creativity alive by constantly thinking about what I could try or change. Whether it’s trying different fragrances or set up for markets, I’m always looking for a new ideas. I study other businesses to see what they are doing to draw in the customers attention. Read more>>
Shakira Ross Mack
I have been keeping my creativity alive by taking more breaks. I tend to push myself constantly to do more, which often leads to burnout and leaves me unable to accomplish anything. This year, between moving and adjusting to life as a newlywed, I have been focusing on taking breaks to recharge. I have tried to go for daily walks outdoors while listening to music. One of my goals for next year is to resume my yoga practice. Read more>>
Rampagentx
Some strategies I employ are:
1. Explore New Perspectives
2. Stay Curious
3. Make Creativity a Habit
4. Collaborate and Connect
5. Embrace Play and Experimentation
6. Rest and Recharge
7. Reflect on Your Journey Read more>>
Nyjerah Cunningham
Keeping my creativity alive is of utmost importance. I feel the most alive when I’m at peace and connected through my mind, body, and soul. Sometimes I get lost in creating that I forget that taking breaks is just as important. Practices like yoga and meditation really help to clear my mind from any creative blocks. Read more>>
Dro
My creativity never runs out and it’s my superpower. I simply keep it alive by being unapologetically myself. Read more>>
Elsie Gilmore
Stepping away from my computer is the best way to keep my creativity alive. Creativity comes from downtime and from just plain old living. Walking out my door shows me so many things that I want to photograph or write about (or both). Sitting in my apartment or at my computer sometimes (but rarely) exposes me to things that make me want to create. Read more>>
Octavio Molina
Well, it’s a practice. I read a lot because it forces me to use my imagination. I also like to be surrounded by design books, art, and photos, sometimes I just sit and flip through the pages of my books or stare at a painting and wander into the space. Music also helps me tremendously, candles and essences. Read more>>
Tierra O’neal
I draw inspiration from everything, whether it’s music, art, conversations, even spaces I walk into. I also make it a point to experiment and challenge myself, whether it’s trying a new editing technique, exploring fresh content formats, or collaborating with people who push my boundaries. Read more>>
Kayla Macvean-salaun
Creativity has always come easily for me, but staying creative or being creative ‘on demand’ is much harder. However, given that my career and livelihood depend on me remaining creative 24/7, I’ve found some hacks to make it easier:
First and foremost is consuming content. People often think that disconnecting and staying off social media will give you the best ideas (and sometimes it does), but spending time scrolling through REELs and TikTok, reading through other brands’ email newsletters, and paying attention to funny trends always sparks an idea that you can use as a starting point. Bonus points if you look at your competitors’ content for inspiration (emphasis on inspiration) (not to copy!) Read more>>
Brittani Diehl
I grew up with a deep love for art. I used to draw a lot as a child and in school that translated to exploring a lot of different mediums through middle school and high school. I have worked with paint, charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, digital art, and many more. I was often called a hobby hopper due to my inability to stick with one art form before itching to move on to another. For a while I even dabbled in crochet and jewelry making. Read more>>
Vira Aguirre
Let’s not forget, we are only human. And as humans, we get tired, overwhelmed, and burned out.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been creative: spending endless hours cutting pictures out of magazines and assembling them into murals, drawing, coming up with clever ways to overcome obstacles, and so on. One common thing in all of this was that I would always step back, take a break, and look at my work from different angles. When I returned to my projects, I’d come back with a fresh perspective, a new opinion, or sometimes an even better idea. Read more>>
Jennifer Brennan
By communicating with my collectors, and supporters, and hearing the feedback from them definitely keeps my creativity alive. Knowing that my work is enjoyed and desired by others is so inspiring. My love for recycling is also how I help keep my creativity alive. My forms for my sculptures are made from different repurposed/ recycled materials, which otherwise would end up in a landfill. I love being part of a solution, and hopefully an inspiration to look at things that normally would be thrown away, to be given new life. I’m always inspired by new ideas and trying new things. I have recently partnered up in a collaboration with my best friend,, Read more>>
Jingjing Fang
The most important thing for me to maintain my creativity is appreciating beautiful things, such as films and movies from great artists, photographs, media arts, and traditional or digital paintings, as much as I can. One of the quickest ways to do this is by collecting art from websites like Pinterest. During work breaks, I spend about 10 minutes browsing through these sites. Sometimes, an interesting image catches my attention, and I click on it to study its artistic techniques, connecting it with ideas already stored in my “art brain.” Read more>>
Zhigang Zhang
My inspiration is from my life, I observe people around me, so I think I would love to walk around my place and to travel other places in order to keep my creativity alive, for instance, Train railway station, supermarket, they are full of crowded people. I also like to travel to get inspiration. Besides, I would like to browse some art platforms and to read a load of artist related articles they publish everyday like It`s Nice That, Creative Boom, and Creative Review etc. Read more>>
Lisha Liang
As an artist, I think that creativity is not static, but constantly evolving with the accumulation of time and experience.
First, record the changes in my own thinking. I like to draw inspiration from different fields – not just art, but also literature, music, science, and even philosophy. Sometimes, a book, a piece of music, or a philosophical paper will suddenly inspire me to explore a certain creative method. This interdisciplinary way of thinking helps me break the limitations of thinking and produce more in-depth and broad creations. Read more>>
Li-anne Kong
As a music composer and producer, I believe that writer’s block is inevitable, especially when my job calls for constant creativity, projects after projects. It’s so easy to go down the rabbit hole of spending hours in the studio, trying over and over again to squeeze out ideas during a creative burnout. But creativity can be found everywhere; we can find them in paintings, movies, nature, daily conversations and so many more places. It’s really important to me that I take a step back and view life in a bigger picture. I’d sometimes go for walks, maybe watch a movie, or simply just spending time with the people I love. These things wouldn’t instantly give me a great melody line for my project, but they are definitely a few of my go-to sources that recharge my creativity, because ideas will eventually flow after and it’s a nice feeling to have. Read more>>
