“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse
Even with all the courage in the world, every creative will eventually run into a creative block, so we asked some of our favorite creatives to share how they overcome creative blocks.
Erin Elizabeth
There is so much trending on social media at every minuet of the day. Often it can be intimidating to keep up with who or what inspires you, and keep true to your own brand’s voice. When my creative juices are running low, the best thing for me is to just unplug it. Delete the app! Maybe just for a few days. Get out in nature, do something you like to do, or take a walk. It’s amazing what a little carved out self care time can do for your mojo. Read more>>
Corri Riebow
In the 14+ years I have been making jewelry, I have been asked these 2 questions consistently. What inspires you? And, how do you overcome creative blocks? We all experience this at some point in different aspects of our lives. I am constantly inspired by nature. The trees, grass, sky, water, rocks and animals. The colors and textures and everything in between. Read more>>
Misha Vaidya
I posted a quote on Instagram a couple of years ago (and likely a few times since), “Creative people need time to sit around and do nothing.” Unsurprisingly, it got a fair amount of love, especially from the artists, writers, designers and creatives in my life. How do I overcome creative blocks? Well, I’m still learning and I’m not sure these could be considered pearls of wisdom (just yet), but back to said quote; I try to inject balance into the situation. Read more>>
Simran Kothari
Overcoming creative blocks can be difficult. The ways in which I have are: – I usually go for a walk to change my environment – I distract myself by watching a funny show/movie – I try to seek inspiration Read more>>
Andrea Campbell
Overcoming writing is a challenge that I have encountered over the course of my career as a writer, and my journey to become a professional writer – and before that as a young person right at the beginning stages of uncovering, my love for writing. I can say that I have overcame writers block or found ways to overcome writers block in various ways throughout the stages of my life. Read more>>
William Pierre
Good question, for me staying productive in any way has kept creative block at bay. Ive discovered that you don’t necessarily need to be doing solely what u love 24 hours a day to succeed. Instead you can be supplementing that drive with other things that you like as well for example like when a musician finds inspiration for writing in a completely whole different task. Read more>>
Ashley Meenach
I have overcome creativity blocks by really leaning on my network of creatives. Ill set up a time to meet with a couple other creatives to put a photoshoot together or talk about ideas for an upcoming project. Listening to ideas from other artists usually inspires me to start thinking creatively again. I also have many different talents. I write, sing, model, design clothing and creative pieces, draw, and do makeup and hairstyling, and clothing styling. Read more>>
Marco Barbisotti
Creativity is a part of been executive chef and also a big challenge because is very, very difficult to be always on top of your game and be creative, successful and able to present to a guest something they will rave about and coming back the next night to have it again. This is all about. It seems easy in our time to get connect and use some social app to find a great idea but in reality, or in my case I need to feel the ideas, i need to touch the products, seasonality and most of all I need to smell and try it. Unfortunately, these days what only matter is the Instagram looks, just cool and fancy and off course the like!!!! Read more>>
Kevin Gray
Early in my writing career, I complained to an editor about writer’s block, and he quickly threw that notion aside by saying: “It’s your job to write. Accountants and doctors don’t get to have accountant’s block and doctor’s block.” Harsh as that felt to a young me, the sentiment has stuck. Now when I’m feeling uninspired or generally blocked, I push through it by focusing on the less-creative side of writing. Read more>>
Meghan Swindlehurst
Creative blocks and burnout are so real, and the best way that I have found to combat those moments is to just rest. When I am feeling like I need more creative energy, I try to stay away from Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, or anything that is going to fill my mind with the creative works that other people are doing. It sounds kind of counter-intuitive, but when you are already feeling the burnout, consuming content surrounding your creative field is only going to perpetuate those feelings of exhaustion. Read more>>
Anna Wise
When I feel a creative block, I pick a painting that I’m proud of, and create a series off of that painting. I ask what makes this painting strong – theme? Color? Subject Matter? Once I know my favorite parts of the painting, I incorporate these elements into the new series. I find this is an attainable way to ignite creativity because you are taking something great that you’ve already done, and making it the prototype for something new. Read more>>
Marvin North
My biggest strategy has always been to plan ahead as best as possible. In the case of writing, I create outlines for the major plot elements, then I add rough ideas of what happens in each chapter to the outline. Sometimes I might only outline the first half of the book this way, and come back to do it again for the second half. Read more>>
Ramin Guseinov
That is the battle that never ends for me. And I’m still learning how to overcome the blocks more effectively. But most of time I just can push through it. If I feel uninspired I just start experimenting and do random stuff. It doesn’t have to be great or even good but I have to start. Usually just “throwing stuff at the wall” gets me involved in the process and in that process I can usually find inspiration. Read more>>
Maggie Lunetta
One of the most challenging things of being a solopreneur is that all the creative ideas are up to me! My previous career was spent within very collaborative environment, with a team and partners that worked together on most projects; if creative blocks occurred we could pull together brainstorms or even pass projects along to others for fresh ideas. Since it’s just me I’ve had to find a different approach to overcoming creative blocks! Read more>>
Samir ADHD” Akhter”
We all need a break sometimes. I’m a big fan of playing video games or revisiting music genres I haven’t explored in a while when I need to refresh my brain. Lately, I’ve been vibing to disco and 80s pop – stuff I don’t normally listen to. It’s crazy how diving into something new can give you a fresh perspective and get the creative juices flowing. Read more>>
Samanda Marshall-Sawyer
In 2018, I embarked on the journey of writing my first book. However, life’s challenges and my own self-doubts slowed my progress. Despite having the content, distractions like procrastination and perfectionism hindered me from completing the manuscript my book. After nearly 5 years, I realized it was time to overcome my obstacles and finish what I started. The process became a personal journey, pushing me out of my comfort zone and aligning with my purpose. Read more>>
Dawn Reno Langley
I don’t believe in writer’s block. Period. Why? Because if I allowed any kind of block to stop me from writing, my family would not have eaten for years. I know that sounds flippant, but my parents always encouraged us to bluntly say our truths, and one of mine is that the only way the story gets written is if my butt is in the chair and my fingers are on the keyboard. Even if I can only write for 15 minutes, I can often get a page written during that time, One page a day equals 365 pages at the end of the year, and that’s a pretty good-sized book. Read more>>
Necia B
It takes time to overcome these blocks. I always tell people including myself when it gets to the writer block or creativity block focus on something to clear your mind because sometimes it can be a lot of ongoing things running through your mind that it’s hard for you to thing and focus on the main thing. Take ten deep breaths, meditate, run or walk around the block a few times or how many times you can to reset your mind. Resetting your mind helps a lot to regain the strength to get back into that creativity and passion that you truly love doing. Having that self care moment means a lot to your body and mind as well as your writer block moment. Read more>>
Teri Underhill
I’ve overcome all creativity blocks by making myself be creative AND allow myself to make bad art in the process. A lot of us get in our own heads about wanting to make “perfect” art all the time, but nothing can be perfect until we make mistakes. I’ve found that pushing myself to create anything even if it’s small and bad really helps me get out of any block. Sometimes what I think will be a bad piece even ends up being my best piece. It’s ok to take time to create. Read more>>
KATHRYN KVAS
Even though I’m a creative director/writer/filmmaker, I was creatively blocked for a really long time. Julia Cameron’s amazing book the Artist’s Way really helped me overcome a lot of it (just as it’s helped a ton of other people!). And scheduling time to write every single day and treating it like a doctor’s appointment that you CAN’T MISS really helps, too! Read more>>
Jacquelyn Tolksdorf
I harvest all my ideas under the light of a full moon while wearing a unicorn onesie for optimal creative growth and always have them in my back pocket (of my onesie) for later. Kidding. Somewhat. I do stockpile both ideas, new tricks to learn, etc for later. I can’t control ideas so I constantly have 52 dozen notebooks around my office, home…shower to jot them down when the moment strikes. When I’m fresh out I always have a huge Pinterest board of new Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop editing/design tricks that once I learn spark a whole new wave of creativity. Read more>>
Chiquita Dennie
I overcame writers block by taking time in between publishing to relax and do more self-care items like walking, getting a massage, watching movies or turning everything off and meditating. Letting my mind clear is the best way to avoid blocks and keep my creative juices flowing. Read more>>
