“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.
Barry Shapiro
Blocks happen to all artists. When I hit a rut I find it helpful to have a small, fun side project to move over to. Something meaningless and fun and one that doesn’t take up a lot of time or space. That distraction allows me to take my mind off whatever I’m frustrated with but stay in the creative zone. Read More>>
Kristofer Seppälä
When it comes to creativity and working on a new story as a writer, I envision it as finding a current in an ocean, looking for that ‘flow.’ When that current isn’t appearing, it’s a sign that there is something I’m attached to that I need to let go of. Read More>>
Lori Markman
I grew up internalizing (from my father) probably two of the worst messages an artist can have: ‘If it’s not perfect, it’s no good and you are a failure’ and ‘If it doesn’t work, force it’. Those messages and my constant comparisons with famous artists were a disaster in my artistic life and took more than fifty years to overcome. Read More>>
Nannette Foster
Did you know that only 1-3% of books that are started are actually finished? I was nearly one of those statistics. As a highly intuitive artist, I tend to create from waves of inspiration. This works beautifully when designing jewelry or writing a blog post, but when I decided to write a book, I found the prospect of finishing a manuscript daunting. Read More>>
Russtina Green
When I face a creativity block, I’ve learned that the best thing I can do is step back and give myself space. Forcing creativity rarely works, so I take a break and do something I genuinely enjoy-something that helps me relax and reset. Spending time in nature is especially powerful for me. Read More>>
Wade Stephens
To be honest, hitting a creative rut in all forms of art is normal. It is what you do once you’re in it that matters. I usually will step outside my comfort zone and try focusing on something specific for a week such as a color, subject or theme which will help reignite my creativity. Read More>>
Andre Writer
To overcome “writer block” I take a step a back, step away and live life. When I’m creating and it starts to feel forced that’s when I know it time to take a break and re-approach with a different perspective. To fire up the inspiration I might watch a movie, hit the gym, or talk to one of my friends… Read More>>
Mondo Roque
I’ve hit creative blocks plenty of times, and over the years I’ve learned not to see them as enemies. They’re just part of the rhythm of making things. When the ideas stop flowing, I try not to force it. I move. I sketch something random, create creative spaces, or just step away for a bit. Read More>>
BlackCloud
Brenda: As a musician and stage performer, I’ve learned that forcing creativity can be disastrous. When I hit a creative block, I take a break and step away from the project instead of pushing through. Coming back later with a fresh ear often helps me hear things differently and improve the results. Sometimes, all it takes is a little distance to gain clarity. Read More>>
Dr. Crystal J. Davis
§ Act I: The Silencing § Act II: The Rising Through the Trenches § Act III: The Global Reintroduction “You’re not a good writer, Crystal. You should consider another major.” That was 1988. I was a young woman in a journalism class at Kansas State University, and those words delivered with academic finality branded something deep inside me. Not just disappointment. Defiance. Read More>>
Aaron Brodeur
I never really experienced creative block in the traditional sense. The problem wasn’t a lack of ideas, it was too many of them. I worked across so many mediums and directions that I could have gone anywhere, and I didn’t know which path was mine. Instead of deciding, I made everything. For years, I created work for calls from galleries and institutions. Read More>>
Keyonna Hollingsworth
I get some of my biggest inspiration and motivation from the community around me. My friends and family continuously help me pour back into myself which in return helps me stay on track and keep me in uplifted spirits to strive for greatness for my business. Read More>>
Autumn McGrath-Shook
I talk about this all the time in my flower classes. Something that fascinates me about any creative field is that many people in that field will appear to be doing the same thing at the same time. Sometimes watching the trends in your creative field can feel frustrating as an artist because we all want to be differentt. Read More>>
