“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.

Valentin Correa Mallmann

When I hit a creativity block, I often travel, change genre, or even switch rooms. I record new sounds on the road, then bring them back and dive into my home studio refreshed. I also take pauses, immersing myself in music I love to unpack what resonates and feed it into my own sound identity. In my studio work I often improvise live with guitar or synth for about an hour, then pause and return with fresh ears to arrange and mix. Read More>>

Axel Pa

I was in my living room, scrolling through social media and watching endless videos, when it suddenly hit me: I should be drawing, making my own videos, growing my social media. But I wasn’t doing any of that. So I did what most of us do when we feel guilty… nothing.

I had an excuse for everything: I was tired, uninspired, there was always a reason not to do it. But I was curious at the same time. I wondered, is there any technique to overcome this? Read More>>

Dan Bi

My biggest writer’s block came from my novel. Five years ago, I drafted the outline, including the relationship between the characters and their endings; I was also very happy to witness that those characters in my writing had come to life little by little and accompanied me forward.

But two years later, the problem appeared – all the characters said to me: “The path you arranged is not for me.” And no matter how I wrote, it was not right. I spent a long time negotiating with them, since changing the blueprint would be so frustrating. Read More>>

Queen Majeeda

I overcome writers block by taking a break from what I’m writing and doing something different. I learnt in high school from my English teacher that if I’m studying and feel like I’m not absorbing the material, I should do something physical like play tennis and when I go back to studying my brain will be ready. It’s the same thing with writing. It’s important to remain active so sitting and writing for long periods of time should be interspersed with physical activity.  Read More>>

Manny A.

When I hit a creative block, I know it’s time to step away from the canvas and return to what fills me up—nature. Whether it’s casting a fly line into a quiet stream, setting up camp under a blanket of stars, or hiking deep into the woods with Amelia and our two dogs, Dodger and Remy, I find myself again. Read More>>

Desi Stowe

I imagine anyone doing creative endeavors encounters some kind of block. As an author, I’ve been hit with writer’s block more than once. To press through the block, I often go for a walk to clear my head. If that doesn’t work, I’ll give it a few days and work on another project. Perseverance will break nearly any block; sometimes it takes a few minutes, sometimes it takes days. Read More>>

Brigham Blackham

Have I ever felt creatively constipated? I have.

That wincing, gut-deep pressure when you know there’s something brilliant inside you—a gold bar, solid and valuable—but it grips like a dry corncob to your insides. You want relief more than anything, so you are insistant to uncork the creativity. Read More>>

Ichaya Mills

When I feel blocked, I return to what grounds me. I reconnect with nature — through a quiet walk, a deep breath, or a moment of stillness under the sky. Art lives in the world around us, and sometimes we have to step outside to find our way back in.

Visiting art museums helps, too. I let myself be inspired by the echoes of other creators, knowing I am part of that continuum. I also keep an art journal — a place where I can start with a single line. That line becomes a path. Read More>>

IMANI

I’ve best overcome writers/creativity blocks by giving myself time to just do nothing. Allowing my inner artist self to rest. I think a lot of times, things bloom and spark in periods of rest. Letting yourself be. I’ve noticed mostly in those times, a new idea sparks in my head. I could be driving and listening to a beat and start humming a melody. I think that’s so important. Not being super hard on myself and letting things flow naturally. Read More>>