“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.
Ashley Behrens
I find creativity everywhere, so if I’m feeling lackluster and wanting to create, there are quite a few things I like to do. First, I spend time in nature. Going for a walk, taking a hike, getting myself to the ocean – these are all methods of inspiration for me. The natural world is the ultimate muse, so spending time outside gets my creativity flowing. Second, I let my materials speak to me. Because I utilize so many recycled, reused, donated, and found materials in my artwork, I find that sitting with them and allowing them to show me what they’ll become is important. Read more>>
Kc Miller
The best way I have found to handle a creative block is to keep working! It’s a myth that artists need to wait for inspiration. Waiting for inspiration can lead to missed opportunities and frustration. It turns out that inspiration often comes while working and there is great value in sticking with a piece or a project even when it doesn’t seem like it’s coming together. Read more>>
Jerry Egbaji
first off, i stop whatever it is i’m trying to do. take a break. take a walk & listen to some music. watch a movie. visit friends and play video games. basically, just leave my current environment for a couple hours and try doing something random. it works, every time. Read more>>
Christen Krumm
The biggest thing I’ve found that causes my creativity blocks is . . . burnout. By the end of last year, after working full time and somehow managing to write four books — plus getting not-so-great news for my author journey, I teetered on the cliff of burnout (let’s be honest, I was most likely free falling down that cliff). It took a lot to pull myself out of burnout, but it started with rest. Read more>>
Kenya Mahogany
As a creative artist, overcoming creative blocks often involves a blend of strategies that reignite my inspiration. One effective approach is to change my environment, grounding myself allows my mind to be clear. I love exploring different art forms, reading, or listening to music that resonates my purpose. But most importantly, taking breaks and stepping away from my projects can offer a fresh perspective. All of this can stop creative blocks and help me to continue to produce meaningful and impactful work. Read more>>
Luis Guzman
I am certainly not void of creative blocks, however there are many interests (listening to music, walking my dogs, writing, talking with family and friends, just to name a few) I watch other artists create to help sustain my creativity. Helping me grow and expand on my perception of the world, events, places, people and things in order to make Art. Read more>>
Joe Carson
I recently noticed my propensity to set ridiculous standards on new projects, like a composer meticulously refining his latest symphony. I’d get so excited about an idea and start writing, but my interest would slowly dwindle when it wasn’t perfect, leaving me with a half-baked concept. I realized this pressure was a significant source of my writer’s block, fueling a greater creative anxiety that made it difficult to get anything done. Instead of obsessing over the result, I’ve begrudgingly learned to embrace the process, which is inherently messy because it has to be. As simple as it sounds, I now try to create without judgment. I don’t care how nonsensical the new material is or how it may not fit the bigger picture; it’s about momentum. Eventually, that spark will return; when it does, you’re far better off staying in motion. Even staggered motion is better than stagnation. Read more>>
Fee Brandt
I like to work on multiple projects simultaneously because it allows me to switch between tasks whenever I feel unmotivated, burnt out, or stuck on one. This approach lets me pause a challenging project and shift to another that might involve a different story or medium. When I return to the original project, I can approach it with fresh eyes, new ideas, and renewed motivation. Read more>>
Milena Mikic
For me, dealing with creativity blocks is a pretty common challenge, and I’ve learned a little bit about how to handle them. When I hit a wall, my first instinct used to be to push through. Now, I’ve found that stepping away is really the best approach. I give myself the space to breathe and let my mind wander. It’s amazing how often a fresh idea pops up when I’m not forcing it. I trust that creativity will come back when I’m ready, so I try to embrace that pause instead of feeling frustrated. I also pay attention to what my blocks might be telling me—sometimes they’re a sign I need to recharge or take a break. By connecting with myself and stepping back, I’ve discovered that creativity can flow more freely. Read more>>
Sassie Phillips
Well really I don’t force myself to create something, instead I just let my brain relax. My body has probably just reached a point of “nothing is inspired to write” so I just chill until I find a good inspiration. I’m not gonna force myself because why do that? I’m not in a rush to go anywhere, and I’m definitely not in a rush to prove myself to nobody. I do Music for me, so I take my time with my craft. I make sure my baby (my music) is perfect in my eyes. I love when I put my all into a track and it comes out to what I imagined. I love working on my time and not feeling the pressure of other because that’s when the imposter syndrome kicks in. You start to compare what you have to what others have and that’s just not have CREATIVITY works. I over come my creative blocks by giving myself the space to not create and to just live. When you live you experience. When you experience, you gain perspective, I can write about my perspective. Read more>>
Nate” Poetically Nate” Dillard
I had to search for prompts. I’ve started placing myself in community with other poets to start writing and venturing out more to elevate my skill set. As far as beating the writers block I express myself on paper immediately. Sometimes I step outside to write freely. Also, collaborated with a couple of organizations such as Langstons Parlor to improve my writing skills. Read more>>
