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.
Evan Olbricht
For me, it’s all about constantly working on new projects and pushing the boundaries of my work. I think you should always be experimenting and trying new things, seeing what sticks, and not being afraid to step outside your comfort zone. If you’re doing the same thing every single day, burnout creeps in fast. Read more>>
Saint Wynters
Creativity is in everyday things. Cliché coming from someone that has artistic parents and went to art school. But seriously, everything is one touch away from an idealistic life. I like to think of living as an art and philosophy as mirroring truths. Read more>>
Lance Rousseau
My secret is knowing when to turn it off. I used to spend all my energy chasing creative moments, which only led to burnout and mental blocks. Now, whenever inspiration strikes, I jot it down in my notes app and return to it later when I’m ready to explore it. Many of the intellectual properties I’ve developed began as sudden bursts of inspiration. Read more>>
Amber Claire
I have always kept up my creativity in any way, shape or form -whether it be in singing, art, or sewing. I think it’s really important to stay inspired and creative, no matter what level it’s at or who may be watching. Do what makes you happy! Read more>>
Child King
For me, creativity is never something that disappears — it’s more like an ever-evolving organism. It’s my connection to source and life itself so it’s always there. It shifts, grows, and takes new shapes depending on where I am in life. Read more>>
Jasmine Noghrey
Creativity is something I try to keep at the center of everything I do. On Sundays, I teach adaptive art in a special education program that welcomes people of all ages and abilities. It’s such an inspiring space and it pushes me to think in new and imaginative ways. Read more>>
Mystique Niles
I’ve learned that creativity isn’t something that just shows up when you want it to — it’s something you have to nurture every day. For me, keeping my creativity alive means staying curious and open to the world around me. I draw inspiration from conversations, from walking through the city, even from moments of stillness. Read more>>
Cheryl Poe
Keeping creativity alive can be a real challenge when you feel the need to be constantly coming up with new and exciting ideas and designs. Seeing the creativity and ingenuity of other designers and makers is really helpful and inspiring. Everyone has a different process and I find it fascinating. Read more>>
Tatiana Maria Corbitt
I keep my creativity alive by letting myself play. I make my best art when I allow myself to let go of the idea of a perfectly finished project. Overanalyzing a piece while trying to make it is a surefire way for me to get discouraged and quit, or create something completely awful — pedantic and self-serving. Read more>>
Keith Roberts
For me, in some ways, creativity is like a muscle. You know: Use it or lose it; stretch it to keep it limber. One of the ways I exercise it is by constantly challenging it. I have had many hobbies in my life that revolve around crafting and creating. Read more>>
Neil Harvey
Being a composer/musician I think I am always looking for inspiration from wherever I can find it. Sometimes it will seem effortless, and I am able to tap into a stream of creative consciousness without any obstacles. Ideas will just flow and I can very quickly have a concrete idea developed in no time. Read more>>
Nora Abajyan
For me, creativity is like a recipe — it needs the right ingredients and care to keep it fresh. I stay inspired by constantly exploring new flavor combinations, following seasonal trends, and experimenting with different textures and designs. I also find a lot of ideas in everyday life — from colors in nature to patterns in fashion and art. Read more>>
Damon Percy
Keeping creativity alive is one of the most important things at the core of what I do. There is a spark that fuels so much of my work which comes from knowing how purposeful and necessary my work is. Also, realizing that this is something that I created and uniquely belongs to me. Read more>>
Merissa Ware
One way that I keep my creativity alive is by allowing myself to find inspiration. Whether it is watching a really good TV show, reflecting on my life experiences or going to a filmmaking event, I find inspiration by being observational. Also, my creativity is the most alive when my mind isn’t cluttered. Read more>>
Liney Blu
I keep my creativity alive by staying curious and open. A lot of it comes from just living life—going out, traveling, having conversations with friends, or driving in the car. I try to pay attention to the little things people might overlook and let those moments inspire me. Read more>>
Jeremiah Terro
I keep my creativity alive by staying connected to life itself. Everything I go through the highs, the lows, the chaos, and the calm feeds into my art. I let myself feel it all and then translate that energy into sound. Read more>>
Talisa Durso
My passion for the culinary lifestyle has always been embedded in me. Creativity grew off that allowing me to use the plate as my canvas and food a work of art. Read more>>
Yahli Ambus
I always try to push myself towards new ideas. Every new music I hear, new gear piece I get, new drum tuning – all of these can be a source of new ideas and inspiration. I try to always have those and that’s what keeps my creativity alive. Also playing with other musicians can be inspiring and can spark my creativity. Read more>>
Jessica & Candace Brown
For us, creativity flows best when the soundtrack is right. Music sets the mood, carries the vibe, and keeps our imagination alive, grounded, inspired, and always in our zone to create magic. Read more>>
Frankie Krusen
I think it’s so important as a creative to continue to create for yourself. I think as a creative or a photographer we can get caught up in trends, feeling like we need to change things about our business because we see others doing it. Read more>>
Destanie Chavira
I get inspired by anything and everything, I think being creative has always came pretty naturally to me. Most of my ideas come from mundane things. Though, my creative process is anything but organized. It’s like a spiral. One idea turns into a never ending list of ideas. My notes app is about to bust. Read more>>
Noah Griffith
Creativity, for me, works a lot like exercise. Years ago, I messed up my knees by doing the same workout routines over and over again without variation. I’ve come to see creativity the same way. Read more>>
Samantha Bousquet
Honestly, I keep my creativity alive with two things: research and reaction. I’m always scrolling through social media — not just for fun, but to see what’s trending and to think about how I can adapt it to my little corner of TikTok. I love putting my own spin on things, and figuring out how to make it feel true to me and my audience. Read more>>
Mario Sanchez
I keep my creativity alive by experiencing art in other forms other than DJing. I like to watch movies, go to museums, hang out with other creatives, practice martial arts and think about ‘what ifs’, which all in turn help me have a big imagination, it’s all a big part that helps my creative side stay fresh and consistent. Read more>>
Nora Sun
I have always been interested in both the sciences and the arts. Sometimes, I struggle to balance these two interests simultaneously, especially as they lean into different aspects of myself. Thus, I choose to alternate between focusing on each pursuit. For example, I may devote a few weeks to a writing project before focusing on research for the next month. Read more>>
Sawyer Smith Roque
Creativity comes in waves. I always have a personal project simmering in the background of my paid work that I can turn to when I lack inspiration. Once I gain momentum on those projects, I find that my creative spark returns. Writing regularly is another way I stay connected to my creativity. Read more>>
Linda Plaisted
I keep my creativity alive by showing up- daily. There is a quote by Picasso that sums up my approach to keeping the small but steady spark of creativity burning- ‘Inspiration Exists, But It Has to Find You Working.’ Being an artist is not always a magical mystical state of connection with the Universe. Read more>>
Darin Balaban
This is a tricky question—which is exactly why I gravitated toward it. It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, and I hope my take doesn’t sound too convoluted because honestly, I’m still figuring it out. Creativity comes in waves. It’s fleeting. It feels more like an emotional state—like being happy or sad or content—than something you can summon on command. Read more>>
Nicol Patel
People often ask where my inspiration comes from. For me, inspiration is everywhere. A new recipe I’m trying out, a stroll through the farmers market or grocery story, even conversation with folks in the store will get me thinking about new ingredients and how they play with chocolate. What motivates me and fuels that inspiration is the ability to tell a story with chocolate. Read more>>
Jess Perna
Striving to make each piece of art better than the last makes it easy to keep creativity alive. I compete with myself every day. Read more>>
Broken Wires
Between all the members of the band, we have a wide and eclectic taste in music that spans multiple genres, from classic rock and prog to soul, hip hop and jazz. This means we each bring different aspects of creativity to the studio when it comes to writing, rehearsing and performing our songs. Read more>>
