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.

Justin Jackley

In my own personal experience, creativity is something that comes in waves. One day you might feel like ideas are just flowing non-stop and other times… nothing. I think one of the best ways to keep creativity alive is to indiscriminately gather ideas, no matter how stupid they sound at the time, and write it down or sketch it out anyway. I get a lot of ideas at night when I’m going to sleep and I try to write them down when I can. The time between being awake and sleeping, called hypnagogia, can produce some pretty bizarre images and ideas that you might not think of during the day. I think a big problem for artists and creatives is stagnation.  Read More>> 

Fiona Embers

Creativity is inherent to who we are as humans. I believe it is not fragile or delicate, but rather a robust, relentless force that demands its due and will not be ignored. Not only does it survive all efforts to constraint or extinguish it, but its purpose is to imbue our lives with joy and meaning, and denying it for long deprives us of untold riches, of the manifold new dimensions to every experience that can only be accessed through creative expression. Read More>> 

Lauren Lajas

My creativity is shown through everything i do! Of course, i have chosen my creative pursuits as a career, but outside of that, i can’t help but be drawn to color, art, and oddities, oh my! If it isn’t my writing or my music, my creativity is shown through my living space or my clothing. My makeup or my hair. I’ve been told i even look like a Creative (and i just hope that’s a good thing). In another life, i definitely was an interior decorator or fashion designer. Social media is also a great tool to flex one’s creative muscles and that is an absolute must in my line of work. Read More>> 

Suzanne LaKamp Adkins

I keep an “idea bank” where I store thoughts, images, or colors for inspiration. Sometimes I revisit old works, and look for new ways to expand or reimagine them. Read More>> 

Jarrod

I host weekly drops of my work and, fortunately for us, it sells out (or comes close to it) every single drop. This gives me the unique opportunity to keep producing and, as a result, to keep tapping into my creativity. Read More>> 

Millie Bennett

I think the better way for any artist to ask themselves is “how do I keep myself from killing my creativity?” As we live through the days of AI, this question has become increasingly important to me, as it is easy for artists to feel pressured to try and keep up with its dangerous speed. But to try and keep pace with AI is dangerous to creativity, as we end up fighting against something that is not even exercising creativity. Instead, we must create in the human way: slowly, carefully, and with appreciation for our own abilities. Read More>> 

Dewayne Walker

I keep my creativity alive by using fashion as my voice. As a Deaf model, visual expression is everything so I draw from emotion, culture, and my own journey. I stay inspired by creating from the heart, not comparison Read More>> 

Oh So Lovingly

Creativity is a muscle. You can’t use it all up. The more you use it, the more of it you have. Every week I produce a new video on YouTube. Every month I develop a new painting concept. It was actually harder in the beginning to come up with ideas, but the more I’m creative, the more creativity I have. It’s true that creativity is a muscle. Read More>> 

Natalie Uhlenhake

Trying new things! Doing the same things over and over will give you the same stories over and over. If you step outside of the usual, you get new things to write about. Read More>> 

Cassidy Jones

Honestly, I think I just try to stay curious. I don’t pressure myself to always be creating something perfect. I let myself make weird stuff, or stuff that’s just for me. And when I feel stuck, I switch things up. Like, if I’m usually working with one medium, I’ll try something totally different just to wake my brain up. I also keep a running list of random ideas or things that inspire me, even if they don’t make sense yet. Creativity kind of comes in waves, so I’ve learned not to force it and to keep feeding it little things it can grow from Read More>> 

Lillian Jean Reitz

Creativity is kind of like a houseplant. It might survive on its own for a while, but it really thrives when you give it some attention, light, and a little bit of love. Being a full-time wedding photographer means creativity is a huge part of my everyday work, which is amazing, but also means it’s super easy to burn out. Read More>> 

Mary Cruz

Exploration! I feel there’s a pressure to fit into a certain mold or that your artstyle has to stay the same for the rest of your life, but pushing both is a one-way ticket to burn out. As I grow and change, so does my art. The more you explore different aspects and avenues of art, your creativity will flow with it, Read More>>

Billy Wright

Creativity seems to come from anything that might inspire, and it seems that inspiration has endless avenues. It could be that I heard or read something that someone said, or maybe the way something was sung or and how it made me feel.

I’m often learning songs for clients or artist in various styles. And these tunes may deposit a style or technique that adds to my creative artist language as well. Read More>> 

Aubrey Johnson

I keep my creativity alive by finding more and more ways to romanticize life. I find inspiration in everyday moments- conversations, nature, books, and even the small details most people might overlook. I’ve never been one to question my existence or even my purpose in life, but I often find myself searching for new experiences and skillsets (especially when it comes to creating content!) Read More>>

Rutvij Reddy Seelam

For me, creativity is sparked by the initial thoughts and emotions I feel when I come across something inspiring, whether it’s a film, a photo, a piece of writing, or even a casual conversation. That first reaction often leads to visual ideas or moods I want to explore further. Music is also a huge source of energy for me. It helps shape tone, rhythm, and emotion, sometimes even guiding a visual concept before I pick up a camera. Read More>> 

Patricia Schmit

When I started my brand Pepino in 2022, I already knew I needed to find a good work – life balance, if I want to do this for longer than a couple months. The worst thing that can happen is if my creativity gets lost. Backoffice tasks and marketing of the brand did at some point get in the way of my creativity, so I took some time off. I got away from everything business related for a couple weeks and when I got back to it, I felt extremely creative again.  Read More>> 

Emily Geisler

This is the golden question. A good question really is worth 1000 answers, and this is one of them. One could say that this is a critical aspect to life in general, but when one’s life centers on the creative industry- like in the world of fashion design, website design, writing and content creation- then it becomes even more important. Read More>> 

Colleen Tully

I keep creativity alive through constant learning and curiosity. There’s an endless world of ideas to explore and marvel at. I read widely—poetry, history, and especially Victorian literature—to keep my imagination engaged. I also make it a habit to visit galleries and museums regularly; seeing other artists’ work often sparks new questions and fresh perspectives. I read poetry, history, and Victorian literature—not only for their content but for the way they invite reflection and wonder. These texts open imaginative spaces where ideas can evolve and deepen. I also visit galleries and museums often; engaging with the work of other artists often sparks unexpected questions and connections. Read More>> 

Jose Barraza

I feed my creativity the same way I’d feed a fire, by giving it fuel. I explore new experiences, learn from different cultures, and give myself permission to experiment and fail. The more I stay curious, the more ideas come naturally. Read More>> 

Karra Wise

I try and surround myself with curious people that want to make and/or do things! I feel like there is always something to make, learn, fix or just do! It’s not fun being in a rut or staying too still. Read More>> 

Marco Valerio Antonini

Every new project I am tasked to write music for is like a completely new world, with specific challenges and requirements, but also with specific points of inspiration and originality. So, in a way, my creativity is kept alive automatically as long as I put myself in an open state of mind and let the story communicate to me its needs, the characters’ inner universe, and the emotional landscape that it sets the stage for. Read More>> 

Chloe Yamaguchi

In today’s society, there exists a prevailing sense of entitlement toward art. When nurtured properly, this feeling can create appreciation and beauty. However, the rise of ai has started to negatively impact this, threatening the essence of creativity itself. With a digital world that now prioritizes quantity over quality, preserving a unique creative style can feel overwhelming. Read More>> 

Jeremy Yijie Chen

I keep my creativity alive by making “play” a daily practice. It’s not just a thing I do, but a mindset I nurture. Whether I’m designing a board game or crafting immersive narratives for workshops, I try to lead with curiosity and joy. I surround myself with tools and people that invite experimentation: playful warmups in meetings, moodboard rituals, even game-of-the-week moments with clients. Read More>> 

Lori Riviere

Creativity is baked into our lifestyle. My team and I laugh together, eat together, explore together. When we travel — especially for events in cities like Paris — we make time to visit museums, galleries, concept stores, or just beautiful spaces that inspire us.

We believe in activating all five senses, and in making space for joy and play. That’s where fresh ideas come from. Our energy as a team is part of the secret sauce. We truly enjoy each other, and that connection fuels our creative flow. Read More>> 

Katharina “Jude” Mundt

I keep my creativity alive by constantly making things, even if they turn out badly or are not something I would ever share publicly. There is value in creating for the sake of creating. It can be challenging, especially with platforms like Instagram that reward a constant stream of output to push you through the algorithm. That pressure can feel discouraging, almost as if you are being forced to create, which has never worked for me. I try to find a balance between doing what feels right for me and what I need to do to share my art with others. Read More>> 

Angelo Acevedo

I keep my creativity alive by always trying something new. Whether it’s learning something unexpected or watching a film that sparks an idea, I love taking inspiration and folding it into my own work. I’m constantly tweaking my formula it keeps things exciting and keeps me motivated. Pushing myself to try creative things I never thought I’d do has been one of the best parts of the journey Read More>> 

Louis Meschino

Fortunately, I live in the largest city in North America—New York City, which often feels like a playground for photographers. You never really know what you’re going to stumble into around the next corner. I walk the city daily, crossing paths with fascinating people from all walks of life. A few offer a unique perspective and sense of individuality that I hope I can express in my images of them. A lot of the time the City feels like a fever dream, in a good way. Read More>> 

Jayden King

I’m constantly listening/exposing myself to new things. Whether that be film, music, art, inspiration can come from anywhere so I always like to familiarize myself with everything that’s out there Read More>>

Kaia Josephine

In any way possible. I treat creativity as if it is as quintessential to my existence as food and water. As if it’s a necessity for me to live a well-rounded life, and it is. So I guess it keeps itself alive, but if I were to highlight something that adds fuel to the fire I believe it would be to follow inspiration when it strikes. But also connect with likeminded people, and my community. To immerse myself in it. Go make stuff. Collaborate. Share. Read More>>  

Katerina Sigala

I believe creativity is something I was born with — it’s a core part of who I am. I honestly can’t imagine life without imagination, without a creative lens through which I experience the world.

Of course, certain moments help fuel it: nature, love, heartbreak, beauty, pain. But for me, creativity is always there. When you’re an artist, it’s not something that comes and goes — it lives within you. It might change form, but it never disappears. Read More>> 

Brooke Bofill

I knew from an early age that creating art felt good, I always wanted to be an artist, but didn’t know how to do that. High school artist teachers thought I should prepare a portfolio for college, but my guidance counselor said I would never make money and that I was good at math. So I went to Pace University, downtown Manhattan for accounting (took mostly liberal arts since the first two years is a lot of electives) this was 1998, I left right before 911, and the shared apartment was 2 blocks from the World Trade Center. I still had some things there but abandoned it all and never went back. Read More>>

Ruiqi Tong

For me, the most important thing is to foster an open and creative mindset. Consider myself a creator. As a stage manager, we are often not mentioned when it comes to creatives. When it comes to directors, designers, and actors, it’s easy to notice their creative works, but when it comes to stage managers, the focus usually shifts to leadership, communication, negotiation, and so on. We do play a very functional role in an extremely creative industry. However, that doesn’t mean there is no creativity in stage management. It is not about room for creativity, but an eye for things to create. Treating the world with open arms, we can be creative about everything. Read More>>