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.

Alicia Byers

As an entrepreneur and business strategist for financial advisors, keeping my creativity alive is not just important — it’s essential to the quality of work I deliver. One of the biggest ways I protect and fuel my creativity is by intentionally designing my schedule. I operate on a shortened workweek, which gives me the time and space to engage in creative outlets outside of work. I’ve learned that my best ideas often come when I’m not sitting at my desk. Read More>>

Zhen “Donny” Li

I think creativity isn’t something you can force. It’s something you have to protect, and sometimes, rediscover.

There was a period when I felt like I had become more mechanical—focused more on getting things done than actually feeling them. That made me stop and think about why I chose to be a filmmaker in the first place. I realized it wasn’t just about using a camera or mastering a craft. It was about expressing emotion and telling stories. Film and visual storytelling are simply the languages I use—but what really matters is staying connected to what’s human and real underneath. Read More>>

David Park

Keeping creativity alive these days can be a challenge at certain times. Some days I find myself drawing inspiration from films and shows which I grew up on. The memories made during creative processes as well. Whether it be from wonderful moments on set, to being pushed forward by your parents to continue thriving in the arts.

Nowadays where it is presented as a challenge, I personally force myself to continue forward. To embrace discipline. Even if it means to struggle with completing a few pages for a script- I was able to achieve it without wasting the entire day. You need to keep pushing because I promise you that regret of accomplishing absolutely nothing is so much more painful than taking one step forward. No matter how small or large. Read More>>

Austin Pope

I think one of the best ways to keep creativity alive is to be in a constant state of questioning. I’m always asking myself questions: about my existence, about the world around me, and how I interact in it. This is especially important when I’m considering my identity and moral views. It’s my curiosity that keeps me in a creative state of being. Read More>>

Luz

I believe creativity is everywhere. It’s not just about the creative work you do; it also includes how you navigate your day, tackle challenges, and even in simple tasks like planning your meals. Creativity can be found in the simplest aspects of life, but you need to open your eyes to it and practice. Read More>>

Sage Wilks

My brand, Iz and Oak embodies the spirit of the west, so I find one of the things that I can always count on to inspire my creative process is the western lifestyle itself. I’ve found that traveling against the backdrops of the west helps me to regularly find inspiration- whether that’s riding through wildflowers in the backcountry, the saguaros in Arizona, or the prairies of Montana. Read More>>

Angela Greene

I keep my creativity alive by not limiting myself to things I know. In the art world, it’s easy to fall into a wormhole of artists creating similar art pieces, but it’s our job to find something in ourselves that we may never have envisioned. Asking questions about what I can paint that is out of the norm, or bringing a new color to the palette, usually will get the job done. It doesn’t have to be anything groundbreaking for me, just a new subject to pique my interest. Read More>>

Nuoya Liu

My creativity is a celebration of my memories and a visualization of nostalgia, linking the past with the present for a new experience. Through this celebratory process, I give form to my recollections, transforming intangible memories into tangible works of art that keep my creativity alive. Printmaking is one medium through which I give form to my experiences.
People’s different interpretations of my work become new perspectives for me. Read More>>

Gabriel Fogleman

I think one of the biggest contributors to my creativity staying alive is not allowing myself to become complacent. There’s always so much to learn. I’m very passionate about what I do and how it can also benefits others. I love going on social media and seeing what other creatives are doing and I also love trying new things. Whether it has to do with my camera when I’m shooting or in the editing process, I love seeing something that I’ve seen online and trying to duplicate. Not only is it fun to try new techniques, but it also becomes another tool that I can put in my toolbox. I feel that the tools I’ve picked up along the way are also what helps me to stay creative while I’m shooting. Read More>>

Rebekah E.

My creativity is kept alive by my love for my interests, friends, and the world around me. As someone who becomes very invested in media I like, I find a lot of inspiration in the worlds that others create. Playing around with characters and storylines often helps me learn what I enjoy in characters and world building, which leads me to forge my own path in art and storytelling. I also take inspiration from editing and music. My friends are very creative people, so discussing and sharing art and stories with them is a lot of fun!  Read More>>

Crystal

Living full-time on the road has been one of the best creative decisions we’ve ever made—and honestly, we didn’t plan it that way at first. We thought we were choosing freedom, adventure, and a break from the routine when we sold everything and hit the road in our RV. But what we didn’t realize was just how much that freedom would fuel our creativity. Read More>>

Mengsi Chen

As a makeup and hair stylist who thrives on creativity and cultural diversity, here’s how I keep my inspiration alive:

Continuous Learning. I actively study evolving trends in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and other Asian makeup styles and ensuring that my techniques stay fresh. Keeping up with new trends online fuel my growth. Read More>>

Summer Kais

By staying in motion. I don’t wait for inspiration — I keep creating, even when it feels quiet. Ideas tend to show up while I’m planning, designing, or picking up on moments that feel like something more. I stay open and observant. A shift in light, a phrase someone says, an image that sticks with me — those little moments build something bigger. I don’t slow down often, but creating keeps me energized. It’s how I move through the world. Read More>>

Adejoke Oyewole

Joquette Boutique was created out of the love for fashion and integrating African culture and prints with modern contemporary fashion styles and accessories. I keep my creativity alive by studying my clients fashion needs, fast evolving fashion trends but remaining simple and my imagination of creating timeless pieces my clients will love for years to come. Read More>>

Zachary Jordan

When I was a kid, creativity came easy. Whether I was filming movies, snapping photos, or making music, I always found the time. But as I’ve gotten older, life’s gotten a lot busier—and keeping that creative spark alive has become more of a challenge.

For me, making music has always been about one thing: self-expression. The goal was never money. If it comes, that’s a bonus, but if it doesn’t, nothing changes. I’m still going to make the art that feels most like me. That mindset has allowed me to stay true to what I create, but let’s be real, rent isn’t free. Read More>>

Eliza Dumas

Creating with kindness toward myself is what keeps my creativity alive. I make my best work when I let myself actually enjoy the process, not just chase a perfect result—because those are two totally different things. Every creative I know struggles with self-criticism (myself included), and a few years ago, I started keeping a photo of Little Eliza—me as a kid—in my studio as a reminder. When I catch myself thinking something harsh, I look at her and ask, “Would I say that to her?” Of course not. She made things with nothing but pink and joy, not worrying if it was good or impressive. Read More>>

Jaznae Norman

Keeping my creativity alive has definitely been a journey of trial and error. Over time, I’ve learned to really listen to my body and lean into what I want to create, not just what I think people want to see. That shift has been essential in staying connected to my artistic voice. I’ve been drawing and creating since I was about 5. Read More>>

Oleksandra-Kseniia Prokopchuk

For me, creativity is not just a process; it’s a way to express my emotions and experiences, a way to show how I see the world and teach others to see the beauty around them. I nurture my creativity through small moments of inspiration that are always nearby, if you just listen carefully and observe. I am inspired by nature, science, religion, mysticism, and music. Often, simply going for a walk with my dogs or looking at the clouds or stars gives me new ideas. I especially draw inspiration from dreams.  Read More>>

Leo McCreary

I keep my creativity alive by coming up with new ideas to crochet. For example I started making crochet stress balls and those became my biggest hit. From that, I started making crochet slinkies, pop its, and other fidgets. Read More>>

James “Fuzz” Sangiovanni

There are many ways in which I keep my creativity alive and flowing. First and foremost I access that part of my brain as often as possible, on a daily basis really. Being a musician, an artist and entrepreneur, I write and produce music as often as possible, even if just for my own enjoyment and inspiration, not for any specific goal. I brainstorm ideas constantly. Always working on the next project and opportunity. I see creativity as a form of problem solving which is really my biggest muse. Read More>>

Nina Ishii

As a content creator and bag designer, I keep my creativity alive by constantly staying curious and observing the little things around me—whether it’s people-watching in NYC, flipping through vintage magazines, or even just walking through a fabric store. I also journal a lot to clear my mind and reflect, which helps me come up with fresh ideas. Read More>>