Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

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.

Donovan Scott

Born in San Jose, CA and growing up in Fremont, CA, I was surrounded by art within my household. My father was a painter and my grandfather was a musician; different mediums and both from Brooklyn, New York. I spent majority of my 20’s in San Francisco, CA and graduated from San Francisco Academy of Art University. The Bay Area has a significant graffiti influence as well (R.I.P. Weezy), so I believe just seeing it everywhere played a role too. Throughout grade school I took art classes as I’ve always noticed myself excelling within art projects that were presented to me.  Read more>>

Bree Alvarado

I keep my creativity alive by using everyday experiences as my biggest creative outlet. I find inspiration in my daily interactions, whether it’s observing how people connect or exploring new ideas in unexpected places. Running my candle business allows me to channel these moments into creating unique scents and designs that resonate with people’s experiences. By staying open to what’s around me, I find new perspectives and ideas that help fuel my creativity. Read more>>

Emre Gokalp

There are so many things that can distract us from doing what we truly love. It’s easy to lose hours scrolling through social media without really getting anything out of it. For me, as a musician, apart from the time I spend teaching, I have a lot of freedom with my schedule. But that freedom also requires self-discipline, or it can be hard to stay creative. Read more>>

Alex S

As an artist, my main message is to inspire people to not forget about their passions and hobbies. I used to work a 9-5 before becoming a full time artist. With a family to take care of plus bills and chores, I always made time to paint and keep my passion for art alive. Read more>>

Miranda & Eddie

Both of us are always coming up with new ideas, products, etc. We bounce ideas around, combine ideas, trial and error until we get it right. We are lucky to have almost endless options to let our creativity flow and run wild. Read more>>

Samira Ezzo

Keeping my creativity alive is when there is a constant need to search for new things to discover & change accordingly to make this discovery successful in my own ways. In other words, the fact that there are so many things to stay creative for, like the inspiration I get from wandering in streets observing every detail, and activating my 5 senses consciously, by noticing the small little corner shops that sell a product of a craft, or the accumulated architecture that can sum up the history of a city, or even listening to the side conversations from small mini markets that have key words used in one city than another… When I experience all of this stimulus, I cannot but bring it justice for me to keep being creative in exposing such beauty with others. Read more>>

Emma Mcmorran

Seeing artworks that are new to me. Living in DC, I’m able to visit a number of incredible museums. Anytime I walk out of a particularly amazing exhibition, I want to go make something. It’s rooted in childhood trips to museums with my Mom, where I’d go home and paint. Since I work at an art museum, I’m lucky to be surrounded by artworks and creatives. Read more>>

Karen Ohlgisser

As the CEO of Neshi Designs Corp, I keep my creativity alive by bringing together the right team of people who inspire and challenge me every day. I truly believe that innovation comes from collaboration, so I focus on creating a team that is diverse in skill sets, backgrounds, and perspectives. By fostering an environment where open communication and cross-disciplinary ideas are encouraged, I make sure that creativity flows freely. I’m passionate about empowering my team to take risks, share their ideas, and contribute to the bigger vision. When the right mix of talent comes together, the possibilities are endless—and that’s what keeps me excited and driven as we continue to push boundaries and create exceptional work at Neshi Designs. Read more>>

Jewel Of Giovanni

Nurturing creativity is a remarkable skill that naturally comes to us. The world around us brims with inspiration, offering endless possibilities for our imaginative pursuits. Engaging with the diversity of life can open our eyes to new opportunities. Each season brings its unique palette and atmosphere, offering fresh ideas and perspectives on how we see the world. For instance, the intricate designs of insects, the vibrant colors of autumn leaves, or the delicate blooms of spring can inspire artistic expression in countless forms. Read more>>

Yuwei Li

Staying creative is a very simple and difficult thing to do. I think the main thing is to stay curious and keep everything fresh. Other than that, browsing for information, reading more, talking to friends, and traveling are all good ways for me to stay creative. Also, different kinds of good artwork often gives me a lot of inspiration to create even better work. Read more>>

Tiffany Poke

I keep my creativity alive by drawing inspiration from both nature and the arts, which I also incorporate into my work with clients. Spending time in nature helps me stay grounded and sparks new perspectives, which I bring into sessions, especially when working with clients who benefit from mindfulness or expressive arts. I find that engaging in my own creative pursuits, whether it’s through painting, writing, or even taking mindful walks, keeps me connected to the creative process. This helps me stay adaptable and open-minded, which is essential for tailoring therapeutic approaches to each client’s unique needs. Read more>>

Stephanie Rose

I never put a cap on how much creativity I let in. I’m always allowing my mind to venture to strange places, to see what kind of stories & characters I can come up with. I write down everything that blossoms in my mind, and feed those ideas until they become something I can create an entire story with. Then I get EXCITED about that story. Read more>>

Junior Luna

Creativity can come from many different places for me, but I think the main driving factor in keeping that creativity alive is knowing that I’m just barely scratching the surface as a musician and as an artist. Knowing that I’m at maybe 5% of what I’m capable of doing in the future and knowing that I have SO much to learn keeps me motivated to just constantly expand my skill set and expand my creativity. Read more>>

Michelle Mullins

I try to maintain a balance between discipline and flexibility. I like to set aside time for fun and creative activities, but I frequently have to remind myself that I need to leave room for experimentation and failure. Some days are less productive than others, and that’s okay, but keeping a routine helps me stay consistent and motivated. Read more>>

Chris Cara

For me, keeping creativity alive is all about living in tune with everything around me. I try to experience life to the fullest—staying deeply connected to people, relationships, moments, and even the ups and downs that come with it all. I let myself feel whatever I’m going through fully, even if it’s a low point. I don’t force myself to feel good if I’m not there. Sometimes, staying in those darker moods is part of my process, and I’ve found that accepting every side of myself brings out the most honest music. Read more>>

Envi Jordan

Really, my creativity is what keeps me alive and not the other way around. My mind runs a thousand miles a minute, I’m always coming up with new ideas for songs. I could be walking around the city running errands, or at home cooking. I get a lot of ideas in the gym… I’ll be on the elliptical and a lyrical idea or melody will come to mind. I’ll grab my phone, open the voice memo app while still running and bring the mic close to my mouth to record a quick tape singing the line so I don’t forget it. Sometimes if a friend vents to me about a situation in their life, that story can inspire a song too. There’s a domino effect because the music I make inspires the dances and choreography I create. Inspiration is everywhere. Read more>>

Kelley Gatling

I keep my creativity alive by always looking for fun, new ways to connect with my followers! As a six-year-old superstar and Instagram influencer, I love sharing big adventures through my photos. I challenge myself to capture moments that are exciting and different—like trying a new pose, finding the best light, or showing my favorite places. Staying curious and having fun keeps my creativity fresh, and my followers get to join me on every adventure! Read more>>

Marley Angel

Keeping my creativity alive comes naturally when I allow myself to explore every idea, no matter the outcome. As a musician working in folk, chamber pop, and electronic music, and as a graphic designer and painter, I’m always finding new ways to express myself across different mediums. I make it a habit to write down all my ideas—even the ones that seem a bit wild—so I can revisit them and keep my imagination flowing. My friends also play a big part in my creative spark; they’re a constant source of inspiration and motivation. Creativity, to me, is about honoring all the layers of who I am and letting that shine through in every project. Read more>>

Perla Sofia Gonzalez

I think it is the opposite: creativity keeps me alive. I cannot stop creating. Sometimes it becomes exhausting because it means always having more than one (or two…) ideas to be materialized at the same time. Anything could be a source of inspiration if you are open to hearing, seeing, feeling, and then creating. Read more>>

Galleon

We keep our creativity alive by always trying to push ourselves with new concepts and songs, as well as trying all the different ideas we come up with. It’s important to seek out new music for inspiration, which is why being in a band is so exciting. We all put each other onto our personal favorite artists, collectively broadening our horizons and expanding our sonic palette. Our goal as a band is to create new and exciting things. Read more>>

Smokie Arce

My creativity thrives on change, curiosity, and openness, I maintain a strong connection in a way that honors and involves my culture, focusing on deeper connection to traditions, stories, and symbols. Here are some approaches: my creative side by allowing myself to create without pressure or expectation can bring joy back into the process. Experimenting freely, without focusing on results, Uncovering new and exciting directions. Read more>>

Jingkun Huang

To maintain creativity, I believe the key is keeping an open mind and a continual sense of curiosity. During my undergraduate studies, I focused on documentaries, capturing many real-life stories, which taught me to find inspiration in reality. The documentary-making process is filled with unpredictability, requiring a keen sensitivity to surroundings and people. This experience taught me how to capture subtle moments and weave them into visual storytelling. Then, during graduate school, I began working more on narrative films and music videos, allowing me to explore more visually expressive storytelling. This shift from documentary to narrative film has driven me to continuously experiment with new visual styles and narrative techniques. Read more>>

Carlos Pineda-palma

I surround myself with art, entertainment and people I believe in. There is only so much time in a day for you to achieve your goals, you cannot afford to spend too much of it on things which upset you no matter how engaging they are. However, you can’t rely on escapist fiction or procrastinate away from the bleakness of life but you can certainly take charge to not be a product of your environment but rather make your environment become a product of you. As corny as it sounds make your own reality. Read more>>

Melanie Luke

Accept that creativity ebbs and flows. It’s not always a clear path which can be frustrating and there are plenty of times when the ideas plateau or worse, flop. I surround myself with people who can be honest with me and bring other perspectives to my attention while staying supportive. But that also requires me to let go of Ego and listen.
Being creative for creative’s sake is fun. Trying to be creative in a world where everything is monetized is a different beast. That is the quest for the Unicorn: finding the sweet spot in the Venn diagram of what brings the soul joy, what has a good chance of making money, and if there’s a void / need in the market. Read more>>

Sarah And Jenny Erman

Jenny and I made alot of silly videos when we were younger. We have always had that creative spark. Now that we are adults, we honestly just have fun and our Instagram lets us continue to have that creative outlet. Read more>>

Madeline O’keefe

Art-block is no joke, and it’s hard to keep your creative energy up – especially when there’s bills to pay. A lot of artists don’t have the privilege of solely being an artist in sustaining an affordable lifestyle. While this can be stressful and perhaps take away from your artistic motivation, I’ve found it super helpful just to keep my consistency through doing the bare minimum sometimes, art-wise. This may sound “lazy,” however I’ve found this to be a simple way to give myself a break while still honoring my commitments. So whether that means a tiny sketch on my lunch break, a single brushstroke per day, or simply writing down concepts as they come, it’s relieving to remember that there are small ways to “hack” art block and stay in touch with one’s creative voice in the midst of life’s chaos. Read more>>

Ghislaine Van Den Heuvel

Keeping my creativity alive has always meant staying open to new influences. My foundation in contemporary dance, developed during my BA studies in the Netherlands, taught me to value discipline and freedom in equal measure. I moved to New York to immerse myself in the Martha Graham technique, which opened up a new world of expression. Working with Graham’s Second Company brought a timeless quality to my movement vocabulary, which I’ve blended with other influences to develop a style that feels authentic to me. Read more>>

Ioannis Giannikos

Being alive is what keeps my creativity. I mostly use music as a therapy to my self, I take everything negative from the inside and I create music from them. This helps me to keep my sanity and to be creative at the same time. The mould that my walls carry, that’s how I get rid of it, by talking about it and sharing it through my art. Read more>>