“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.
Fer Granados
I used to be incredibly insecure about my writing. For starters, I’m not a native English speaker, so my grammar isn’t always perfect. But therapy was a big turning point for me. Through therapy, I realized I’d been doing a lot of things wrong for myself. I was in the wrong job, building the wrong future, and spending my energy on the wrong people. Read more>>
Catherine Balaq
I’ve had many years in my life when I was unable to be creative, due to work demands and family. I think you have to have a bit spare in the tank to feel you have the energy for creative acts. I didn’t writer between the ages of 22 and 40. I was so busy with children and working as a psychotherapist that time for me in that way just didn’t happen. Read more>>
Kevin Strand
With any creative process, there comes a point in time when one runs out of ideas. When I get to this point, I go on the internet and start viewing the works of the masters for inspiration. There is so much out there to see, that one will never run out of ideas or inspiration. I look at woodworking, 3D printing, CNC routering, laser engraving, epoxy, & airbrushing works that others have so graciously uploaded. I try to integrate all of my processes into my works, if I can. Mixed media allows one to expand the possibilities of what can be made. For example, I love to integrate my woodworking with epoxy, paint, & metal. Read more>>
Lindsey Rickert
When the pandemic hit in 2020, I had just finished a year-long process of building my studio and was so excited to finally use it. But within a month of its completion, everything changed. Suddenly, being in confined spaces with people wasn’t an option, and I found myself staring at this space I’d worked so hard to create, wondering how to channel my creativity. Read more>>
Canon Herring
When creating a piece of music I rely on my inspirations as well as technical ability. When I come to the end of both of those things I can feel blocked off to creativity. Musicians block is a very common effect, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding the source of your inspirations and limits of your physical ability is crucial to your success. When feeling blocked off to creativity, take the time to step back and assess. Sometimes it is worth pulling back the slingshot to shoot forward into success. Creativity cannot grow from mental fatigue! I have found that when I take the time to rest and get re-inspired, I come back to my project with a better creative flow. Read more>>
Marlene Escutia
As a fashion writer, I’ve discovered that cultivating curiosity and embracing a multidisciplinary approach are key to overcoming creativity blocks. My passion for learning drives me to explore a wide range of subjects, from history and science to fiction, poetry, and memoirs. I firmly believe that all information has inherent value and that every subject is interconnected. This understanding of intersectionality unlocks a vast reservoir of inspiration, allowing me to continually discover fresh perspectives and ideas. Read more>>
Tayler Bennett
Any professional in the creative field has dealt with some form of having their creativity blocked or unable to come up with a great idea or vision. The solution to these moments can be personal and depends on the individual, but my solution is a little more generic. Whenever I am experiencing a creativity block, I do one or two things. I first change tasks or projects and try to tackle or focus on something that has less brainstorming involved. If I am unable to do this, then I completely leave the work area. I go outside and take a walk or start a workout just to get my mind to relax. That way when I come back to the issues, I’m looking at them with fresh eyes and a fresh mind. However, while I am away from the work area I do keep a notebook around to jot down any random ideas that may pop-in into my head. Read more>>
Tessa Morell
When I experience writer’s/creativity block, I have to force myself to try something new or different. I go to a new environment outside of my home and listen to music that reminds me of the subject I’m writing about. Usually, the most effective method for myself when I’m stuck is to just brain dump onto the page. I don’t think about what I’m writing, what it means, the grammar, nothing. I just write it all out. I can then go back and find points within the dump to expand on and organize. Overall, a change in environment, immersing myself in the work, and forcing something (anything) to come out is the most effective way to overcome writer’s block. Read more>>
Juliette Crane
My motivation to keep painting has always been rooted in personal healing and expression. I had always been an artist, but I reached a point in my life where I no longer allowed myself to be creative. It just hurt too much, so I stopped. I had all of these art supplies, and I just shoved them into a closet. Then in 2009, a few years after we moved from Chicago to Madison, I lost my job. I was extremely burned out, and I felt the urge to return to what I enjoyed doing most: painting and creating. I loved coloring, drawing, and painting as a kid. To heal my spirit as an adult, I took out all my art supplies, went into the backyard, and allowed myself to play, paint, and create just for me. Read more>>
Jey Austen
As a creative, I didn’t realize how much mental health matters until later in life. When your cup is empty, how can you pour from it? With ADHD, anxiety, and depression, I absolutely hate the neurotypical advice of “just create a little every day, and you will slowly perfect your craft” – it usually comes from a white man in a black t-shirt who has never experienced true loss in his life. Read more>>
Marissa Ayala
This past year, I returned to a consistent writing routine and art practice after years of needing to put writing on pause due to life circumstances. Returning to a sense of self and creative writing as an identity is incredible. A few things have helped me: setting up my career focusing on work-life balance, carving out a space in my house only for writing, reading, and art, and structuring my free time where I’m held accountable to show up and write with others. I’ve built on the foundation of showing up by prioritizing friendships that fuel artistic thinking, experimenting with new ways to enter creative thought, and leaning into multidisciplinary art forms, establishing my writing as an intersection of language and visual art. Read more>>
Lonnee Rey
Decades ago, a Tony Robbins cassette tape fell into my hands. One outstanding lesson, “Ask questions you want the answer to,” stuck with me. This was his memorable example: if you need to lose weight, you could ask, “Why am I so fat?” or, “How can I lose weight?” Your brain will give you very different answers. “Ask questions you want the answer to” changed my life. When writer’s block hits us, frustration is right behind it. It isn’t fun, is it? To move ahead you have to get unstuck. Unplug from the source – step away to do the dishes or better yet, vacuum. You’ve been meaning to do that anyway, right? And ask this question; “How can I have more fun today than I ever thought possible?” Read more>>
Arthur Retiz
I definitely get creativity blocks from making music at times, but I try to get out of my comfort zone and push myself to explore different creative outlets beyond just music. I love writing, painting, and working with my hands — it helps keep my creative energy flowing. Even finding new hobbies can be a huge help by giving me a fresh perspective and puts me into different creative zones. Exploring different forms of art often helps me see past the blocks and find new inspiration. Read more>>
Nate Raven
As a Creative, it is inevitable that somewhere along the creative journey, you will encounter what people love to shout out to other creatives: ‘I have a Block!’ But I don’t believe in Blocks. As an Actor and Writer myself, I have definitely run up against a moment where I asked myself ‘Where do I go from here?’ or ‘Why did I stop writing this scene?’ To me, the terms Creative or Writer’s Block has such a negative connotation, and no one can get anywhere with negativity swirling around them. These so called ‘Blocks’ allow creatives to stop the project they are working on and get distracted by the internet or social media or anything else flashy and fun. Read more>>
Jonathan Penvose
Creative blocks often happen to me at the end of a project when I need to start something new. Switching between tasks leaves leftover thoughts that make it harder to focus and think creatively. Especially when inventing or making experimental connections between workflows. To deal with this is to seek out great work. Over the years I have kept thousands of references and I often look at work from others I admire. Creators like Adam Savage remind me that the process of making can be energizing and motivating. This helps me get back into the flow and move past the block. Read more>>
