With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity alive as it’s one of the best defenses against the rising trend of automation. Even if you don’t buy into all the hype around AI, keeping your creativity alive has always been a challenge and as so we’ve connected with some of the most creative folks in our community to discuss tactics and strategies for keeping your creativity alive.
William Stanley
“Well, it’s simple. I create stories everywhere I go. This is something that I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. I would do this for hours just on my own, although TV and game stations were around as I grew up, I never really cared for them. Instead, I would always play with my toys, spread them about – cars, army men, whatever I had – and come up with a story. Read more>>
Stan Prokopenko
To me, keeping my creativity alive isn’t just about drawing and painting, but in how I approach problem solving in my business and use technology. For me, it’s all about continuous learning, exploring new territories, thinking outside the box, and embracing challenges across the board. I try to structure my workdays to spend most of my time on creative tasks and minimize everything else. Read more>>
Lauren Crowe
It sounds a little oversimplified but I keep my creativity alive by spending time outside. I am fortunate to live in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains which has an abundance of inspiration. Although I like to hike, I find myself being recharged by a simple walk at the park with my son. He’s a very curious toddler which has reminded me slow down and observe my surroundings. Read more>>
Kayley Vandenberg
Creativity has always been a huge part of my identity, so keeping that fire alive is key to my well being. For me, having different methods for self-expression is essential, so along with making ceramics, I also love to write, sew, collage, etc. When one of my creative interests isn’t sparking, oftentimes another one will and I’ll focus on that for a little while. Read more>>
Nanaekow Stiles
I try my best to consume media that I love. Media like film, music, podcasts all aid in keeping me creatively hungry. Read more>>
Dustin Garrett
Since I was young, I found artists that I loved to listen to with one thing consistently in common with their careers: they always were branching to new musical horizons. Trying things, inventing new styles in their “sound”. I think that’s the most important part of keeping your sanity. Always regroup and regenerate the “sound” that defines you as an artist. Read more>>
Lee Ko
As a 3D artist who works with clay, metal, and recycled materials, I thrive on exploring the endless possibilities hidden within discarded objects. Transforming these materials from their former state into something beautiful and meaningful fuels my creativity. Read more>>
Ivan Grieve
What a lovely question. Since my early childhood years, the opportunity to make and create became deeply implanted in my life. Surrounded by 60’s creatives in Bohemian Camden in North London. Happenings, “grown-ups” becoming visionary and inventive, were all around this buzzing part of London. Read more>>
Tyeshia Petrie
I make sure to keep my creativity alive by actively engaging in activities that allow me to express myself artistically. Whether it’s drawing a nature scene, or writing and sharing my thoughts through my blog, I have integrated my creative edge into all aspects of my life. Read more>>
Alexis Cee
Thank you for having me! I hope my experiences can benefit many in their careers, particularly in the realm of sustaining creativity. Various strategies contribute to keeping me creatively inspired. Firstly, diverse inspirations play a key role. Read more>>
Christine Garcia
As a Professional Tattoo Artist, there is a high pressure to specialize in just one style. This can be because the artist genuinely enjoys doing just that one style or because of the aesthetics that it brings to a social media page. Oftentimes, it’s easier to gain a larger following when your instagram page looks a certain way, but, personally, I find myself stuck when I do the same style over and over again. Read more>>
Kris Mathis
I believe keeping your creativity alive gets easier over time if you learn to feed the thing that drives it. Meaning, you have to learn to see the world from a different lens and then allow this to feed your inspiration. From there, creativity kicks in and that’s when things begin to happen. I also believe that having positive influence and new experiences can also help spark something special in a person when they’re running low on creative juice. Read more>>
Julia Evans
I have always been an extremely artistic and creative person in my personal life and at work. As my overall responsibilities have increased in life and each job role becomes more difficult, I find myself slipping away from my creative side. I have had to make a conscious effort to keep my creativity alive in several different ways. Read more>>
Shweta Bist
In my opinion, anything that makes one pause and wonder helps fuel creativity. Once we open ourselves up to the universe’s plan for us, we are led to enriching experiences. But for the creative power of the universe to swoop in and guide us, it helps to have some rituals that work. I keep my creative juices flowing by actively engaging in a few practices— journaling, exercising, reading, drawing, taking pictures, seeing art, and experimenting. Read more>>
Gogo Griot Griot
Maintaining my creativity is not just a task for me; it’s the essence of my being. Even as a child, the seeds of creativity were sown deep within me. I vividly recall writing my first book loaded with stories and illustrations I was nine. My home was a stage where make-believe plays unfolded, inspired by the books I read and the TV shows we watched. Read more>>
Ishaan Tyagi
The best way, for me personally, to stay inspired and creative is to find creative collaborators to work with. I find myself doing the best work when I’m working with filmmakers and musicians that are motivated to push boundaries and try to do things differently. Being a film composer, I look forward to interacting with directors, producers and later on in the process having some great musicians join the projects and see things from their perspective to better inform my decisions. Read more>>
Kyle Dubiel
Creativity for me is somewhat of an engine that always keeps running inside me. I think it stems from my tendency for neuroticism: I’m constantly having thoughts, opinions, emotions, and stimuli fly in and out of my brain, forming connections, realizing patterns, and unlocking insights into myself and the world around me. To fuel the engine, I also consume a plethora of different kinds of art, largely literature, editorials, and movies. Read more>>
Aaryn M Russell
For me, creativity often comes from messing around with a sort of nonsense approach to my art, whether it’s painting or music. It’s sort of a doodling process, opening the mind up and paying attention for that Aha! moment. I also surround myself with creative humans, because the energy flow that happens between us causes little, artistic flare-ups. Sort of inspirational immersion therapy. Read more>>
Matt Fore
I suppose that ever since I was a kid, I always had a clear vision of what I wanted, or at least what I thought I wanted at the time. I don’t really remember a time that I wasn’t crafting stories with my toys (LEGOs, He-Man, Aliens, Jurassic Park figures) and telling myself the stories as I went along, later writing them into short stories with pencil and paper, and eventually planning to shoot movies to tell these stories at age 7 or 8. Read more>>
Katie Ward
The long answer is when I started my business, just the act of doing was enough to inspire. Figuring out the ins and outs of day-to-day operations, finding my personal style as a photographer, and client acquisition kept the spark going for two years. Read more>>
Nom de Plume
Well, I never thought of keeping my creativity alive in all honesty because my creativity has never ceased to boil since as far as I can remember and I wish I had more time to develop all my visions and ideas. I think they all come from the many passions I have art-wise, having grown up completely immersed in the performing industry. Read more>>
Sarah Dean
For me, the answer always comes back to horses. I’ve always had such a deep love for these animals and their relationships to each other, to their riders, and to the land they run on. I feel like I’m never at a loss for what to paint next with horses as my inspiration, and I think that’s the sign that I’m pursuing the right dream. Read more>>
Heather Fenzel
Creativity is a force that drives me, every single day. Looking at even the simplest things in a different light can spark an idea into a creative tide wave. I try to keep my creativity alive by stepping back, seeing how I can do something a bit differently and then talking it out. Creativity is not a one person sport, having conversations and gathering information is such an important part of the process. Read more>>
Sarah Brehant
I am constantly inspired by so much, my atmosphere, people’s energy, things going on around me. Creativity in my business is derived from getting to know each one of my clients, finding out what they like to do, their favorite hotel lobby’s, their favorite restaurants, what their dream home would look like. Creativity is the forefront of a designers business and I keep it alive through my couples and through each event I plan and design. Read more>>
John Paul Davis (d11designz)
Well that’s pretty simple really,I get inspired by everyday life, iconic people I looked up to,such as musicians, actors, entertainers etc. After studying art and technical drawing it wasn’t till years later I realised I could make my dream happen, having my own business doing what I love. I have always had a creative side from a young age,so getting to do what I do drives me even more. Read more>>
Sabi Datoo-Lalji
From a very young age, I have always had my hand in something creative. If it wasn’t sewing something I was drawing dresses or dabbling in creative writing. As I have gotten older those hobbies and interests have shifted somewhat but the need for creativity is still very much alive. Now, being a business owner and a mother, time is limited and I try hard to carve out time to sit and do. Read more>>
Travis Cha$e
Before I go to bed at night I pray for a handful of things. One of them being for God to take me to places that I can’t even imagine with my artistic endeavors. When I think about the things that I truly desire, they are all rooted in creativity. Most people would label me as only a “rapper” based on the exterior appearance but that’s only one virtue of mine. Read more>>
Brandon Francis
Keeping creativity alive is definitely a challenge. No matter what, at some point, as an artist, you will face some sort of block. I’ve found that switching between mediums can often be helpful. Different tools require different thought processes. Graffiti art is also something that has played a big part in my life and is always something that brings me back to a place I need to be to overcome most creative blocks. Read more>>
Tong Tong
To keep my creativity alive, I try to stay curious and sensitive, always questioning why. It’s crucial to leave room for true creativity to flourish, rather than just waiting for inspiration to strike. This means giving myself space to play, experiment, and even fail. For instance, when I’m in the early stages of designing a garment, I keep my sketches easy and loose. Read more>>
CRTFD
To keep my creativity alive I prioritize trying to immerse myself in constant inspiration. I regularly find myself exploring different genres when I am producing to avoid getting stuck on any single project for too long. Trying to be consistent and constantly improve fuels both my creativity and drive for my music. I try to attend live shows as well as collaborate with fellow musicians, visual artists, photographers and videographers to help keep my creativity flowing. Read more>>
Karolynn Vaisanen
I am committed to my creativity. This is the foundation of keeping my creativity alive. I am married to it for the long haul and even though it may ebb and flow, it’s always there. There’s work that has to be done to keep the fiery passion alive but I’m here for it from creative dry spells to creative overdrives and all the times in between. Read more>>
Sebastian Von Chourio
we are a creative spark, to be creative it’s our “God Given Job” and when we feel we lost the connection to this ability it means that we must go within and find the answer, perhaps something needs to change, Whenever I find myself without motivation or sad I do this simple exercise:
I ask myself is there something I need to know? and sometimes I just need to listen to a friend, listen to a really sad song and cry in my bedroom for hours, write down my feelings, or sleep. Read more>>
Raeya Cobb
To keep my creativity alive, I cultivate joy in my life. I make an effort to do things and interact with people that bring me joy. If I’m feeling bored or jaded with dance, that usually means I need to take a break to enjoy life outside of that passion or I just need to train in another genre of movement, or both. As a commercial dancer, I have moments where I miss being a concert dancer. Read more>>
