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.
Gabby Klein
This is a tough one, and I think the answer is always changing. There’s a feeling of inspiration that I’ve learned to pay attention to, almost a tingling in my brain, that gets me excited about the world. I first noticed it as a kid going to IKEA, and then in school as I learned about iconic design styles, and now from a wide range of sources. Read more>>
Kuhr Lee
I accomplish this by continuing to make new ideas. Whether it’s by writing new songs or filming for content. Every idea is at the very least practice. Read more>>
Shay Bailey
For me creativity is something that needs to be charged by people, places and experiences. I’ve been a creative for as far back as I can remember and I often find Inspiration in what’s happening around me. My surroundings are critical in keeping my creativity alive. Read more>>
Ann Miller Smith
It can be challenging to stay creative, especially when your career depends on it! I find that I feel more naturally creative when I am taking care of myself by getting outside, exercising, and putting down my phone. For an extra spark of creativity and inspiration I love to visit museum art exhibitions, gallery openings, and other art shows. Read more>>
Trevor Finlay
Great question. I try to stay open and listen. Like a lot of songwriters that I’ve talked to, I get ideas during mundane activities like brushing my teeth or driving. My phone is littered with soundbytes and scraps of unfinished ideas. Read more>>
Nico B.
It’s important for me as a designer and as an entrepreneur to stay creative because it allows me to produce the greatest work that bests represents my clients as well as myself. I don’t believe in being one-dimensional. There are areas where I thrive creatively and others where it requires more effort and attention. Moreover, I can put myself in different scenarios with the goal of creating the best outcome. There are many ways I keep myself motivated and creative. Read more>>
Zack Morris
I have always seen creativity like a muscle; you have to stretch it and work it to its limits in order to continue to grow. When you have a creative skill set, you must find new ways to challenge yourself, because it forces you to find or create new solutions and innovative ideas. Over time, these ideas and concepts can grow into a part of your identity as an artist. Read more>>
Tracy Daves
Great question! When I think about how my creativity stays alive and well, I know it is a gift from above. I dig deep to my roots. My very first childhood memories were growing up in our family’s loving 1970’s split level home. My creativity was birthed from growing up in the love, laughter and craziness of my Puerto Rican household. I draw from that! Read more>>
KT Rocket
I like to take a break and exercise maybe go outside and make beats. I get inspiration from just being in different places. Read more>>
KANIKA
As an entertainer, singer and songwriter, my work is not only about being creative but taking the listener on a journey that allows them to feel emotionally connected to the stories I tell through lyrics and songs. One of the toughest things about being an independent artist is having to wear all the hats necessary to keep my business thriving. Read more>>
Steven Emile
Fostering one’s creativity is one of the most challenging aspects of being an artist. And it is something every one I know has struggled with at one time or another. Expressing our creative energies is so essential to our existence that it can be extremely frustrating when there is a lack of creativity in our life, or inspiration to be creative. Read more>>
Malachy Poinan
I keep my creativity alive by always diving into new experiences. Trying out different things constantly shifts my perspective and keeps me sharp and inspired. Read more>>
LR Wilson
I keep my creativity alive by listening to the universe and keeping people around me who are positive. When you allow the universe to guide you, it’s not hard to show up as you are. Read more>>
Britt Kilpatrick
In my line of work as a graphic designer the need for creativity is high. My main focus as a designer is with print work, mainly stationery, invitations, and greeting cards.
Each year I put out a hand illustrated calendar with a different theme. I absolutely love doing this as it fulfils my artist itch and brings smiles to the faces of those who receive one. Read more>>
Olivia Quantz
This is a topic that I frequently discuss with other creatives and something that I think many of us struggle with. A lot of times, it can feel difficult to constantly maintain the same level of creativity for project after project, and many creatives can be hard on themselves if they don’t feel that spark of inspiration for every client. The way I see it, creativity will always ebb and flow to a certain degree, and some projects will always come more naturally than others – and that’s perfectly fine. Read more>>
Andre Madatian
Keeping creativity alive is always a challenge. Writing blocks come to me plenty, however, the best way that I have found to break through such obstacles is to walk away from a particular project and do something mindless. I have accepted that somedays I will have creativity flowing through me without any issues, while other days I will just stare at my instrument or the piano for hours without any usable material. Read more>>
Jelly Ellington
I would say that being a product of my surroundings has kept my creativity alive. To go with the flow of life even when it may pose many challenges, To embrace adversity, and try to find beauty of out of it, A year ago I was displaced from my home in Austin from losing it to a fire. I relocated back east to Western North Carolina, where I became inspired to write and record a whole EP. Read more>>
Susana House
Keeping your creativity alive can get a little complicated when you have adult routines and duties. When I first began managing my time I quickly learned just how little time there is to get so much done, it became overwhelming. So I decided to slowly develop a system where I only managed what I could control. Once I let go of issues I could not control is when life starting working with me and for me. Read more>>
David Gnozzi
I’m blessed to work in the music industry, music is art, music IS creativity and being a mixing engineer and a producer working for musicians and artists I get fed their creativity every day. That, in turns, sparks mine. Another side of it is, like most people working in music, this choice is almost a “call”. Read more>>
Parker Hastings
I continuously look for things to keep me inspired. Whether that’s hearing good songs written by great songwriters, listening to my favorite artist’s music, going and seeing some well respected songwriters live, or even listening to interviews of some of my heroes; it all inspires me to keep perfecting my craft and gift I’ve graciously been given. Read more>>
Brooklynn Morgan
There are a couple ways I keep my creativity alive. The first method is writing everyday. I try to stay in tune with what I’m feeling and write poetry or just simply put my feelings on the page. I usually write night so I can recall my day and use what stuck out to me the most. My second method is taking a class like acting or dance, to keep my brain in an artistic mode. Read more>>
Karina Evans
When writing on a deadline, it’s sometimes difficult to find my creative spark because I feel pressure to deliver within a time-crunch. In order to keep creativity alive during those, I allow myself the freedom to take breaks from my project and enjoy a variety of other creative endeavors that can shift my focus while also having fun. Read more>>
Kate Grey
Staying in a creative headspace to me is staying naïve. Being open to being inspired is the key to finding it. When I find myself in a rut or lack motivation to create, I can count on random moments of inspiration to pull me out. It’s important to me to make sure that what I’m creating is to please me. Read more>>
Naima Melonson
I keep my creativity alive by embracing my genuine talents and staying true to my passions. From a young age, I discovered my love for fashion, entrepreneurship, and creativity. As I developed my personality and gained independence, these interests only grew stronger. Read more>>
Lindsay Gizicki
My children are a huge source of my creativity. I’m lucky enough to be able to work from home with them, so I don’t miss any moments. Watching them, playing along side them, and listening to their amazing creativity has allowed me to explore my own creativity. Their ideas inspire ideas of my own. My books are based off of ideas they have given me. Read more>>
Ekaterina Khromin
The desire to create never leaves the artist. This desire lives with you as an integral part of your body, like breathing itself. Sometimes, in especially difficult circumstances, it stops for a while and then revives with renewed vigor and directs your thought and feeling. Read more>>
Janelle Ariona
Creatives often go through periods where our creative juices dwindle, and we feel frustrated with the lack of new ideas. I feel that the best way to keep my creativity alive or revive it when creative blocks come along, is to be a lifelong learner and be inspired by the work of others. Though social media has its pros and cons, it allows creatives to connect with one another and seek out each other’s art. Read more>>
Monic Reyes
To keep my creativity flowing, I constantly seek inspiration from a variety of sources. I immerse myself in art exhibitions, visit museums, flip through magazines, observe interior designs, and spend time in nature. These diverse experiences provide unique perspectives that ignite my imagination. Read more>>
Joshua Levine
The best part about an entertainment company that performs at live events, is it forces you to always reinvent yourself on every level. To be successful you have to be creative. This includes our overall products, system setups, advertising/marketing campaigns, website etc. For me, I have always dared to dream and then bring in experts to help me execute. Read more>>
Natali Zarate
As a visionary, my creativity is an essential aspect of my livelihood. As a result, I am constantly creating throughout the days, holidays, at work, at home, at events, in nature, in the community, with my students, friends, family etc. At times, I’d find it difficult to keep up with every creative idea I’d come up with or even a new craft I wanted to pursue. Read more>>
James Reid
Staying creative is a problem for a lot of people; school, work, kids, commitments of all sorts can drain one’s energy and take away the impetus to create. I’m no exception. There are a lot of days where the day-to-day grind of running a small business can dull the desire to make something, be it a song or a business idea. For the first couple of years this was especially true, as we dove head first into a new multi-segmented business and had to learn a lot in a short period of time. Read more>>
Fernando Ortega
Living intensely in my day-to-day life is a constant source of creativity for me. I often find inspiration in seemingly irrelevant things, details, or everyday objects that may not say much to others but are significant to me: a level crossing, the winding cables, a traffic sign, a pedestrian, a signboard… Looking at reality with different eyes helps a lot. And if you add music or watch a movie, you can continue dreaming with your eyes wide open. My latest idea came to me while watching the movie “Meet Joe Black.” Read more>>
Derricka Lee
Let me just say, it isn’t easy keeping up with the latest trends & styles! You have to be determined , an set new trends. How I keep my creativity alive is by always offering new things. For one people love what’s trending for the season, holidays, an special events, so I’m always two steps ahead… Read more>>
Reyna Papotto
What keeping creativity alive looks like for me: living. I know that sounds so cliché and preachy, but it’s so true. I find a new beautiful, interesting, melancholy, breathtaking thing (the list goes on), in my every day life that makes me want to create art. Even if the art is daydreaming. Read more>>
