“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.
333bodega
Samantha N.E: Embracing the moment, Not rushing into anything that you don’t feel passionate about. Cristina N.E: Doing things that I love even if it has nothing to do with jewelry or 333bodega. That really helps to nourish my creativity but like Sam said, do not rush it! Read more>>
Michelle Francine Turner
I had to realize how important is was to be obedient to what THIS season of life requires of me. That means prioritizing what is important in the here and now, even if that means my creativity needed to be put on hold. The biggest struggle I’ve had aside from being shy to “put yourself out there” or be consistent with submitting auditions for voice-over roles, was family. My mother had a stroke in 2019. Read more>>
Andrew Banner
Creativity blocks happens to the best of us. When I was only pursing a career in music production there were times when I wasn’t inspired. Taking a step back from being in the studio and just living life can help a lot. At times when I’m not feeling inspired I would stop creating music and then shift my energy into the fashion world and I would brainstorm some new fashion designs. Read more>>
Estefany Álvarez Marin
As a marketing professional, something that helps me to overcome creative blocks is to make active pauses and get out of my comfort zone, regularly in my creative crises (after the pause) the first thing I do is to take a sheet of paper and start writing my ideas, after that, I start looking for ways to materialize them and turn them into reality. Read more>>
Justin Kidston
Creative blocks used to be a big problem for me. In order for me to overcome them, I learned that i had to change my entire approach when it came to creating art. I used to put an unnecessary pressure on myself. This idea that all of my work had to have this deep meaning that could withstand any type of scrutiny from anyone. Perhaps I felt this way because of some sort of imposter syndrome. Read more>>
Pranav Kothary
I find that writer’s block has more to do with our insistence on perfection than with a lack of ideas. It’s that perfect thing that fits into the puzzle beautifully- what we’re looking for and failing to find. But the larger a puzzle gets, we need to accept that there will be more pieces to try and see if they fit, and more pieces we’ll have to dismiss. But first, we have to try. You will hear plenty of writers speak of “vomit drafts”. Read more>>
Paige Ledom
I think the only way you can overcome creative blocks is by recognizing the source of them. I believe that many creative blocks come from within because we are too fixed on an outcome or the way things are “supposed to be.” I find the way to break free of these moments of stagnation is to play! Adults forget to do that sometimes. Read more>>
Jesse McAnally
Overcoming creativity blocks, particularly procrastination and writer’s block, has been a personal challenge that I struggled with for years. However, I effectively addressed this strain on creativity by leveraging the power of social obligations. Recognizing my tendency to procrastinate without a sense of urgency, I discovered that nothing lights a fire under me more than a commitment to others. Read more>>
Mimi Doyo
Creativity blocks are a constant thing for me. Back in school, I had a routine, deadlines, and constant feedback that helped push me through those moments. But once I graduated, it was a whole new ballgame. The freedom felt like I was able to breathe again, but honestly, it also felt a bit scary – like starting from scratch. Read more>>
Randu Padilla
I use to wake up everyday and write anything I could, this was my morning meditation. Get any thought or idea and try to spend run a quick little story. I did this for a whole year and it helps train me to just always make something. As long as you write, draw, even a little scribble; something will come out of it! Read more>>
Robert Grant
To overcome creativity blocks, I switch up my environment and routine to spark inspiration. I engage in freewriting to bypass my inner critic and seek out diverse sources of inspiration through books, music, and art. Collaborating with others often leads to breakthroughs, while prioritizing rest and self-care recharges my creative energy. Read more>>
Jonathan Cuartas
Writers block is something that plagues so many screenwriters. Some claim it’s a myth, or an excuse to procrastinate. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ve been blocked more times than I can remember. It’s that gnawing feeling in the back of your mind as you’re deep into writing – the type of feeling that makes you ask yourself: Is any of this actually good? The best way to get over it, at least for me, is to keep going. Read more>>
Maty Young
I’ve got a few tricks up my cinema camera wielding sleeve. First thing, I make sure I’m doing something film-related every day. Even if I’m not feeling super inspired, I might review scripts, edit a little, or just play around with my camera. Keeping in the groove is super important. Talking things out is a big help too. I’ll chat with a friend or a fellow filmmaker about where I’m stuck. Sometimes, they’ll see something I missed, or just talking it through sparks a new idea. Read more>>
Jamie Chihuan
Recently there have been days where I feel the stress of not wanting to create anything. Unlike years ago when I was painting every day, But with life you have responsibilities and when you get older you have more responsibilities. I work as a creative and I often spend 8 hours a day creating content This leads to creative burnout. But one way I have overcome this is by enjoying the time I have when I’m not working. It’s okay if you’re not painting all day every day as long as you are doing enough impactful work. Read more>>
Joshua Morata
For me, writer’s block comes and goes.. so to say I’ve beaten it is a bit of a far cry. I’ve had some pretty close calls with extensive blocks that have lasted longer- I would recommend keeping yourself busy, just in the off-chance that that creativity may circle back. Read more>>
Dylan West
Often what feels like writer’s block is really plot decision block, where you can’t decide what to have happen next in the story. If you’re a pantser and didn’t make an outline for your book, you might try outlining – at least until you get unstuck. If you’re an outliner like me, and you’re stuck at a decision that your outline didn’t address, or you’ve realized you need to deviate from it, then you might write out a list of questions surrounding that decision. And a list of options. Read more>>
Lisa Hammer
I never realized when I was younger that I would someday get creativity blocks. When you’re a kid all you have is your imagination and even though your life is structured, you don’t have grinding tasks (like bills, health, jobs, rent, etc.) to pull you out of your creative state. I was always in a creative state. Even having crippling anxiety, PTSD, and depression as a child, I was always able to disappear into my imagination and stay there for prolonged periods. Read more>>
Dillon Arnold
When I find myself facing a creative block or burnout, it is usually caused when I am struggling to connect to a particular project or feel stretched thin. I’ve witnessed the ebbs and flows of my work enough times to predict when these seasons are likely going to happen which has been my first strategy in overcoming it: being able to anticipate it. Read more>>
Ramiro Rodriguez Zamarripa
Overcoming creativity blocks in the realm of music creation involves acquiring and developing a versatile set of tools that empower an artist to compose even when inspiration seems elusive. One such tool is the ability to borrow a simple seed of notes and rhythm from various sources and transform them into a unique creation. Read more>>
Isaac Jones
Overcoming writers block is probably one of the hardest things any person in a creative industry will face. Sometimes it pushes people to just completely give up. What I’ve done to overcome this is not do everything at once. If I’m writing a song and I get to a point where my ideas have run dry, I just save the project and come back the next day. Read more>>
Ry & Skyla
While we are fortunate to cover food, events, and theme parks – which are always changing! – sometimes you can start to feel like you’re in a rut. To help overcome this, we have to be proactive in keeping a running list of ideas to use later, even if they are weird! This gives us a well to come back to, and hopefully one of those things kickstarts our brains with some creative juices. Read more>>
Jennifer Sabatini
As the proud owner of CASual Art Works, a dynamic creative business that harnessing the power of laser technology, vinyl, and my own creativity, I am dedicated to bringing to life the imaginative visions of both business and retail customers. Since our establishment in May of 2020, there have been moments when the wellspring of ideas and creativity seemed to dry up. Read more>>
Brianna Coleman
As a creative entrepreneur, I have to be at the top of my creative game all the time. Whether it’s marketing concepts for my social media management clients, growing my own personal brand, or at photography shoots, it’s vital my creativity stays sharp. A way I help beat creativity block is exercising with no music. My favorite. version of this is swimming laps. Obviously, I’m not going into the pool with my Air pods. Read more>>
Sarah Beck
Overcoming creative blocks can be a challenge. Something that works nearly every time for me is taking a walk with my dog Winston. I can almost always find the inspiration I’m looking for in nature. Read more>>
Dolores Johnson
I naturally do not believe in forcing myself to be creative. For me, creativity should be organic. If I find myself blocked, I rearrange my art supplies, I watch YouTube videos to gain inspiration and I reach out to others who are like-minded individuals. Sometimes I host paint nights in my house where my friends prep for art shows together. Read more>>
Traci Ling
Creativity is not something that can be forced. Nothing is more frustrating than going through periods of creativity blocks. Especially, when someone is expecting you to come up with an incredible idea on a whim. It happens far more often than I would like, but I use it as an opportunity! This is when I will find time to work on a passionate project by taking any medium, not just photography, and dump it all out. Read more>>
Elizabeth Rossi
When I was writing my second novel, “New Years in Paris”, I ran into a devastating writer’s block. The frustration to sit in front of the computer, typing and retyping the same sentence and not having any creative flow was such a disappointment and the longer it went on, the deeper that level of disappointment got. I started questioning my skills, my abilities as a writer, self-doubt crept into everything I did. Read more>>
Justin Johnson
One can’t overcome something that doesn’t exist. Writers block doesn’t exist in my world. The creativity is like working out at the gym. One has to do more than push ups to develop their chest in the same sense, an artist has to go to other channels to create. For me sometimes a free write isn’t enough for me to start creating my poetic magic. When that happens I start making lists, or I’ll go to my favorite music streaming platform hit shuffle and whatever the first song is I have to write like I’m the feature on the song. Read more>>
Matt Harris
I always try to be working on at least two different pieces at any given time. by alternating between different subject matters it helps me keep my ideas fresh for each piece and also is a great way to stay productive. I also do daily timed Warm-up sketches for 30-45 minutes every morning to help ease into my work load for the day rather than jumping straight into more complex work. Read more>>
Rachael Goddard
Honestly, the thing that works for me when I hit a block with anything creative whether it be acting, music, or writing I will watch movies, shows, and podcasts that I know will get the juices flowing and sort of go on a bit of a brain vacation. Read more>>
Will Jackson
The number one thing I do to over come writers block is take breaks. Whether I’m composing/songwriting, building tracks during the production stage of a song, or in the mixing stage for a track, I schedule in regular 20 minute intervals for a tea/coffee break. Read more>>
Michael Peloso
As a creative, all of us have crossed paths with the dreaded “block”. Speaking from a songwriter’s perspective, we have faced our adversary many times. Are these lyrics “cliche”? Didn’t I write something similar the last three times? Why can’t I say or play something new? Self-doubt always creeps in. And it’s ok. It’s all part of the process. Read more>>
