“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” – John Maynard Keynes
Sometimes, getting out of a creative block requires escaping from the gravitational pull of old ideas, other times it might require diving into them to get re-inspired. Below, we’ve shared a variety of perspectives, insights and advice on how to overcome creative blocks.
Byron Chang
As a film editor, encountering creative blocks is a common and normal part of the editing process. The journey from raw footage to a polished film is rarely straightforward. There are times when I am overwhelmed with an abundance of footage, and other times when I have to work with very limited material. Each scenario presents its own set of challenges and requires a flexible and adaptive approach to storytelling. Read more>>
Alex Correa
After releasing my short film “High Potency,” I felt drawn to several new avenues. Acting being one of the many art forms, especially with my recent start at a production studio. As a creative, the inevitable question that is almost always going to be asked is “When’s the next one coming out?”, accompanied by self-doubt about my ability to craft another short film. Persistence and the support of good friends encouraged me to pursue a new project. Read more>>
Pam Ewell
I was grappling with this issue and wondering if I was a “real” artist or not. After all, if I’m a creative professional, it should come naturally, right? I wondered if my mentors dealt with this and wondered how they address it. This led me to start my own podcast interviewing artists asking them for advice on this topic and more! Read more>>
Asya Olson
I try to completely shift my focus to something else, ideally a monotonous task that I need to do anyway. For example, editing pictures. After editing for hours, my mind gets so bored that it starts generating fun ideas. Another great option is to take a day off in nature. Works every time! Read more>>
Sarah Larsen
I defy creativity blocks by understanding that believing in them is the essence of their existence. Motivation comes from the act of doing, and so long as I am expressing in some way, eventually that’ll lead me to wherever it is I’m going. Less focus is placed on the destination. More focus is placed on being in the present moment, and allowing myself to feel what I’m feeling. Read more>>
Jalen Christopher
Creative blocks are an integral part of the creative process. The Bible suggests that creativity is a gift from God, enabling us to reflect His image and glorify Him. When I encounter a creative block, I view it as an indication that my mind and body need time to align with the creative vision I aspire to achieve. Read more>>
Justin Remo
Working with comics, a medium of art that has often been neglected, criticized, and disrespected in the world of fine art, I have received my fair share of doubt from those around me as I began my journey as a cartoonist and a comic writer. Honestly, I can admit that those doubts got to me at times in the earlier stages of my career. Read more>>
Kate Williams, Ph.D.
I’ve learned that you can’t force creativity. So, instead of staring at my computer for hours hoping an idea will strike, I’ll take a break and do something else instead — go for a walk, take a shower, or even do a load of dishes. I tend to have several projects going on at a time, so giving my brain a break and time for ideas to simmer helps me get those “aha!” moments that lead to great pieces of writing. Read more>>
Jie Yan
As an industrial designer with over six years of experience, I have developed several strategies to overcome creativity blocks. Changing my environment, such as working in a different room or going to a park, often stimulates fresh ideas. Practices like mindfulness and relaxation, such as meditation or yoga, help clear my mind and reduce stress, making it easier to access creativity. Read more>>
Cass Zoubek
One thing I can never avoid is the occasional designing creative block. Sometimes the ideas and flows just aren’t there, no matter how many beautiful stones I have in my stash to oohhh and ahhh over. For me, it’s not about avoiding the inevitable block, but knowing how to overcome it. Read more>>
Emily Kwon
Creatives encounter many challenges on their journey, and one of the most significant is facing creative blocks. Creativity block is a period where we struggle to come up with sensational and inspiring ideas or are simply unable to depict the ideas we generate in our heads directly. Read more>>
Thy Nguyen
I overcome Creativity blocks by occasionally writing down my thoughts and through my captions on social media. Read more>>
James Miille
A few years into my art career, I faced a major creative block. I had recently completed a highly prolific year of creating a new photo every single day, which had effectively become my biggest time commitment, and naturally an important part of my identity. People came to recognize me for the project. It was the way I spent time with friends and made new friends. Read more>>
Zak Bethel
Creating an original custom piece of artwork that is worthy enough to be tattooed on someone’s body forever takes a steady flow of creativity and inspiration. Unfortunately sometimes that creative idea just doesn’t show itself to me. As frustrating as it is, the only way out is stepping away from the design and searching for new inspiration. Read more>>
Kristina Esposito
I have found when I hit a creative block there are usually two things that help. The first is to take a bit of a break. Go for a walk, watch a TV show that inspires me (right now I’m rewatching the Sopranos and its suprisingly helpful). Basically anything to get my mind off of what I need to do. Read more>>
Elizabeth Toller
Creativity, for me, is a cultivated habit requiring skill. I practice my craft daily, whether inspired or not, honing my skills in photography, composition, and post-production. Mastery of these technical aspects reduces the need for conscious effort, revealing the endless possibilities of art. Read more>>
Raul Moreno
A way to deal with creative blocks is to step away from your work for a long time not to long where you lose interest in your work. enough time where you can have a refreshed mindset and inspiration not long ago, I had some creative blocks myself because I had too much in my plate. Read more>>
Frank Vic
Being gifted in multiple lanes of creativity is one of my biggest strengths, mainly because I can be creative at all times. Making music is one of my favorite of the few, but when I do get into a creativity block, I can easily resort back to photography, videography, or creative direction. Read more>>
Cole Thiele
Writers blocks are inevitable. I run into them repeatedly. Usually, the source is some sort of distraction. That can mean positive distractions as well! I’m actually in the middle of a creative block right now, so this is timely. I am currently writing another episode for my animated series, Carboload, and I had great momentum with it. Read more>>
Jordan Knight
The short answer is I haven’t. To be completely truthful, burnout and creative blocks have been a personal struggle for me, especially since the pandemic, and various life events far out of my control that came after. Even still I struggle with accepting an ever changing creative industry that is simply hard to keep up with. Read more>>
Eric Tonzola
Having creative block is pretty common for most artist. I know that I often find myself struggling to develop an idea for a painting or getting started on an illustration. For me the best way to overcome these creative blocks is to first not beat myself up over it. Read more>>
Claribell Nunez
I overcome creativity blocks by collaborating within my community. I also take breaks and look for creativity in different forms. My main focus is on social media management and when I hit a creative block I focus my attention on painting. Read more>>
Elvia & Alex Garcia
Usually as a creative mind, we all end up in the same square where we don’t see anything else than a wall that doesn’t let us create anything else that is being created already and with that frustration comes. Read more>>
Mark Johnson Jr.
I’m a firm believer in having a block just means you haven’t lived enough life yet. Every time I feel stuck I try to find a new experience to partake in whether that be traveling out of the country or going to a new local venue. There’s so much in this world for us to experience & learn. You can have something new everyday and still never be finished. Read more>>
David Yang
I think the best thing to do when overcoming a creative block is to step back from what you’re doing, As a filmmaker and video production company owner I’m constantly coming up with new ideas for new projects and sometimes you just got to let the tunnel vision slowly open back up till you can see the bigger picture. Read more>>
