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.

Lindsey Jonin

Creativity is a huge part of my life. It keeps me going and helps me feel most like myself when I allow that part of me to come alive. I’ve been drawn to creativity and creative activities since I was a young girl. It’s always been a grounding and joyful part of who I am.

When I step away from my creative outlets, I feel it deeply. It shows up in my mood, my energy, and even in how I connect to myself and others. It’s like something essential is missing, a quiet void I can’t ignore. Read More>>

Bingyi Zhang

For me, creativity is not a fixed skill but a state of being—one that needs to be nourished continuously. I keep my creativity alive by staying curious, allowing myself to wander both physically and mentally. This means taking long walks without a destination, reading across disciplines, visiting exhibitions, or just sitting quietly and observing the world around me. Read More>>

Ariel Watkins

I’ve learned that creativity is like a muscle you have to feed it and move it regularly, or it starts to fade. For me, I make it a priority to stay inspired in ways that feel natural and enjoyable. I try to watch something creative at least once a week, whether that’s a documentary, a show about the arts, or one of my favorite movies. Even if I’ve seen it a dozen times, there’s always a moment or line that stirs something new in me. Read More>>

David Aaron

I keep my creativity alive by genuinely noticing and appreciating the little stories and moments happening all around me every day. It’s easy to get caught up in the big moments—but honestly, I find just as much inspiration in the quieter, subtler aspects of daily life. It could be something as simple as watching a parent care for their child, a teacher guiding their students, a man and his dog, a barista who puts love into every cup of coffee, or even just observing casual interactions between strangers on the street. These everyday moments are packed with creativity and beauty if you take the time to truly see them. Read More>>

Aymara Lucero

I started the Concerned Cook brand 15 years ago, and I’ve found that discipline is key when it comes to being creative and inspired. It’s like a muscle that you have to work, but in the end, discipline and planning are what give me room and freedom to be creative. Read More>> 

Creed

For me, creativity is a living thing — it needs movement, curiosity, and sometimes even chaos to stay alive. I keep my creativity alive by constantly shifting between my different mediums: photography, design, fashion, video, storytelling. Each discipline feeds the others and keeps the energy flowing. But recently, the AOM Lo-Fi project sparked a real resurgence. It gave me permission to create for vibe’s sake — to build worlds out of sound, color, and mood without needing a traditional format or rigid rules. Read More>>

Luísa Galatti

Earlier this year, we lost one of the most authentic filmmakers we knew. Or at least a filmmaker who came in to break barriers and lift the filmmaking bar. David Lynch. As I said my goodbyes through social media posts filled with memories, images, and quotes, I ran across one that was simple but struck me: “Negativity is the enemy of creativity.” Read More>>

Seirim Yoon

I keep my creativity alive by staying flexible and open to inspiration in my everyday life. I believe creativity can strike at any moment, so I make a conscious effort to stay mentally present and receptive to new ideas, no matter the situation. When inspiration does come, I reflect on it, ask questions, and try to understand it on a deeper level. That process of exploration helps me truly make the idea my own. For me, creativity is less about waiting for a spark and more about staying in a constant state of curiosity and openness. That is what keeps the creative flow alive in my life. Read More>>

Tina Yan

This question stood out to me among others because I think it’s something we all struggle with, on and off. Especially now, where AI has become so widely used and the unhealthy work culture — hustle culture — has become the norm, it’s easy to become discouraged and doubt our worth, creativity, and skills. However, I believe that our creativity is never dead. Rather, it needs to rest, and is simply waiting for the right timing to burn ferociously again. Read More>>

Christina Highfield

When you work within the creative field, it can be very hard to keep that spark alive. There are times that I am just making products to make them because the stock is low and that can feel very repetitive or boring. You feel as if you’re just a machine on the tracks, doing the same task over and over and over again. Eventually, you stop creating while you’re stuck in this cycle of restocking. When I’ve noticed that I haven’t allowed myself time to express myself or let myself play, I take a well deserved break to do something fun. Read More>>

Mackenzie Nelson

I was a first-generation homeschooler growing up in the 90s, and life was good. No internet, lots of outside play, and endless art supplies fueled my creativity to my heart’s content. If I wasn’t digging up clay from the bottom of the sandbox or sewing something for my doll, I was rummaging through inherited art supplies and experimenting with new techniques. I was always curious, and I had an insatiable desire to create. Read More>>

Joseph Deckhut

Working in the research side of science, instead of the artistic side, it can be pretty difficult to stay creative. A common phrase is that ‘Science is descriptive, not creative’ after all. So, the main thing that has let me keep my creativity is to not only make sure to set aside time for my hobbies but, to share those hobbies with the people close to me. It is very easy to get sucked in to your research and become a hermit. Doing that is not good.  Read More>>

Ally Gaetz

I think an important thing to remember when I am struggling with creative block, is that not everything has to be the next “best seller”. Some designs take days to get right, others are okay just being simple. When I find myself struggling keeping my creativity alive, I connect with other small business friends. Sometimes knowing you aren’t alone or being able to bounce ideas off another person, changes the whole dynamic. Read More>>

Luke Duo Art

For me, creativity isn’t just a passion – it’s a lifeline. When I’m not creating, I genuinely feel like a part of me starts to fade. So I make it a priority to keep that spark alive in as many ways as possible.

One of the most unexpected times my creativity shows up is right before I fall asleep. There’s this fascinating window between being awake and drifting off where ideas just flood in. It’s not always easy, but I try to capture as many of those late-night sparks as I can – scribbling them down before sleep takes over. Read More>>

Alvah

I keep my creativity alive as a muscian by listening to music all the time. I always have headphones on and I am always looking for different music to listen to. I like to listen to music from different time periods and from different genres, especially when I am in a creative rut. But most importantly, I listen to albums in their entirety as that helps me connect to the music in a more personal way. I am also lucky to have friends that enjoy listening to experimental music and often their recommendations become inspirations for my new song ideas. Read More>>

Jessie Han

I always carry a small notebook with me to record my dreams and interesting moments from daily life. These fragments, though seemingly random at first, often become meaningful sources of inspiration after a period of reflection. Over time, they help me generate deeper and more creative ideas that fuel my artistic projects. I have written many stories in this notebook, but only a small portion of them eventually develop into complete works. Read More>> 

Terry Taylor

For me, creativity has always started with one thing: confidence in self.

From a young age, I believed that whatever I put my mind to I could make real. Music was the first space where I fully realized this truth. What started as a simple love for rhythm and lyrics grew into a lifelong dedication, and eventually, a defining part of who I am. Read More>>

Justin Drain

The different types of photography I do keeps my creativity alive. I do not stick to one style, I can do a number of them, For example, I take photos for conventions and with that I can network with cosplayers and plan photoshoots with them in the future. The inspiration I get for those shoots come from movies, television series, and other types of media and they play a big part into lighting, composition and aspect ratios. I can do portraits for business, acting, burlesque and more that can use for marketing purposes. I keep myself moving onto the next project on what can inspire from one shoot to another in different styles. Read More>>

Oluwatobi Edward

I find creativity in everything—music, the films I watch, personal experiences, or simply sitting in nature. Creativity is everywhere. It drives me to develop new ideas and create meaningful experiences through my work. Read More>>

Sedat Adik

I keep my creativity alive through deep observation. I’ve always had an instinct to notice subtle details—textures, contrasts, patterns in nature, or the emotion behind a person’s expression. These moments often become the foundation for my ideas. I also stay inspired by the excitement of discovering new techniques, tools, and artistic approaches. The tattoo world is constantly evolving, and I love diving into that evolution—experimenting, learning, and finding new ways to express depth and meaning in my work. Creativity, to me, is a constant dialogue between perception and innovation Read More>>

Ashika

Creativity, to me, is a habit – one that gets exercised daily, especially when your profession depends entirely on it. It’s not just about coming up with ideas; it’s about using analytical thinking to solve real problems for clients, often in collaboration with incredible vendors, fabricators, designers, and clients themselves. That synergy is inspiring – but it can also lead to exhaustion. Sometimes, the real creative challenge is figuring out how to stay creatively inspired. Read More>>

Starr Petronella

Creativity is a funny thing. I don’t think that my creativity has to be kept alive because it is always present. However, acting on my creative nudges is a whole different matter.
Early on I began looking at things and seeing beauty everywhere in my life . The way the dew drops rest on a blade of grass, the various colors of rust present on a nail on the ground, the textures and colors of the fragile wing that once was part of butterfly, the glittery slime trail the snail would leave behind, etc. All of these amazing treasures sparked creativity and wondrous stories that my imagination would just run wild with. I see magic in so many things. Read More>>

Desiree Maultsby

I’m inspired by the women who came before me—my Haitian foremothers, my Fulani bloodline, and my mother’s colorful and expressive resistance to gender-role norms during my early development. I’m inspired by the way color can say what words can’t. By the power of creative flow and presence. By the audacity of joy. Read More>> 

Jung Soo Kim

I feed my creativity by listening closely to my surroundings. The environment we live in may appear static, but it constantly shifts depending on how we perceive it. For me, creativity begins with viewing familiar spaces through unfamiliar perspectives. Responding to the world around me with attentiveness and sensitivity is the foundation of my artistic practice. Read More>>

Amyn Mukadam

This is a fun one to explore. For me, creativity is fueled by both my profession and my personal life.

As a Tennis Coach, I work daily with youth ages 3 to 17. Their energy, humor, and curiosity constantly inspire me to stay inventive. I get asked everything from, “Coach, do you like pizza?” to “How old are you?”. It’s those offbeat questions that spark laughter and connection. I build games into our lessons, let kids create hilarious team names like “Samosa Smashers” or “Dosa Dunkers,” and keep things fresh so tennis stays engaging and fun. Their youthful spirit keeps my own creativity thriving. Read More>> 

Jerry Gibson Jr

I keep my creativity alive by coming up with different ways to conduct business to separate ourselves from other labels in the industry. Read More>>

Soupless

We love to try new things constantly and experiment as much as we can. Everything is fair game. Once you allow yourself to do whatever sounds good to you, the possibilities are endless. Read More>>

Guy D’Alema

I credit my ability to keep my creativity alive to my being a curious person. I tend to look at and examine my subjects with a desire to know what they might have experienced in their life that has them presenting themselves the way they do. What is “their story?” My mission is to go deeper than the outward appearance of my subject. I want to capture more than their look, more than just their likeness. And for me to get to the “essence” of my subject, I need to be curious about them. My ultimate goal is to capture their story…the story that makes them who they are. Read More>>

Sasya Koneru

Creativity is a hard thing to achieve. Expecting creativity to hit you like a ton of bricks while you sit around is not a good expectation to have. To keep creativity alive, you have to always be doing, always moving, and always searching. You need to be busy with your life, until you can find a moment and turn it into something new. To be creative, you need to find something unique in your day-to-day life that you can get inspiration from and turn into your own thing. If everything was perfect, no one would be engaged with your story. You need to show your human side, and the best way to show people this is through creative outlets. Read More>>

Dylan Toomer

After some time Ive realized that as a creative, you have to let yourself live because at the end of the day you’re only human.Our art reflects our lives and just taking the time to live and have new experiences will fuel your creativity.At the end of the day you really can’t separate your emotions from your art medium, so the only thing left to do is embrace it.After you embrace it you’ll only get better at your medium because what you’re doing or making means something to you and that’s all that matters. Read More>>

Kymber Gustin

I have always been interested in photography, from a young age. My walls as a teenager were covered in throw away camera photos of my friends, places I had been, things that I loved- all taken in what I thought was the coolest way, a unique angle or pose. That interest grew and I took film photography classes and eventually as an adult learned how to use a digital camera. My business started because I decided to throw myself back into photography in my 30’s and chase the feeling creating gave me. When I decided to pursue wedding photography, it was because it fed that creativity the most while also allowing me to be a part of something I love- love stories. Read More>>

Elise Bynum

Staying creative is truly a lifestyle for me! I pull inspiration from everything around me fashion trends, bold colors, black culture, and even my amazing clients. Whether I’m styling a vibrant colored wig or designing a new graphic tee, I love pushing boundaries and keeping things fresh. I also make time to step back and play, experimenting with new looks, textures, and marketing ideas just for fun. Creativity flows best when I allow myself to just go for it, take risks, and always remember why I started Majestic Hair & Accessories in the first place, to help people feel confident, bold, and one-of-a-kind! Read More>>

Koko & Sass Design Co

As a couple in business, we’ve learned how important it is to carve out space—both physically and creatively. Traveling overseas plays a huge role in keeping our creativity alive. Right now, we’re in Montmartre, Paris, for that very reason. Beautiful decor and inspiring dining experiences fuel us, so we’re intentional about choosing unique hotels and restaurants in advance. We also find that nature resets us. Travel isn’t just about what we see—it’s about the energy we absorb. That energy comes home with us and often becomes the spark for our next creative direction. Read More>>

Helen Wu

Being Gen Z means I have never known a world without the internet so much of my creativity actually stems from the internet, and I say that because it has introduced me to countless passions that now fulfill my imagination.

For example, I have always been fascinated by anything related to space. Yet, as someone with no direct access to the universe, the internet became my gateway. Back in school, you’d never find the Voyager Golden Record in textbooks, no one spoke of the story of the space dog Laika, and films like 2001: A Space Odyssey were never shown in class. Read More>> 

SoaR Zephy

As a gaming creator that has been in the space for years, keeping up with trends and consuming content is a way to get inspiration & creative on your own videos. Occasionally burnouts, overconsumption, & bad habits can lead to lack creative & physical productivity. However, that does come down to disciplining yourself to make sure you manage your time to keep the creative process flowing. Times alone also allows you to think clearer on your issues. Allowing more creative space to flow naturally. Read More>> 

Jamie Zayac

I keep my creativity alive by staying deeply connected to my survival. Creativity is not just a form of expression for me, it is a way to transform pain into purpose. After working as an ICU nurse and experiencing a life-changing injury that nearly took everything from me, I realized that creating was how I made sense of what I had been through. Read More>> 

Julia Lytle

As a PR agency owner, I believe creativity can be sparked by just about anything. A thoughtfully designed restaurant, an unforgettable meal or a compelling art exhibit can all inspire new ideas and perspectives. I try to approach everyday experiences with curiosity, because whether in PR or business more broadly, there’s always something to learn and apply.  Read More>>

Allen Zhang

As a traditional illustrator, it takes more passion and experience than a sudden epiphany to stay creative. Once the necessary skills are in place, all I need is the right motivation to start creating.

Looking back at my creative process, I’ve realized that developing hobbies has always been the best way to keep myself passionate—not only about waking up the next morning, but also about providing inspiration for my career as an illustrator.  Read More>>