“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.
Danny Silvertone
That’s a great question. For me, overcoming a creative block isn’t about finding some magical new idea, but rather about reconnecting with what’s already there. First and foremost, I constantly draw inspiration from my real life experiences. I try to pay close attention to the world around me—the conversations I have, the emotions I’m feeling, the struggles I’m going through, and the small victories. Read more>>
Theophilus Caviness
I have been able to allow my creativity to flow organically. In the past I used to try to force myself to sit down and make myself “be creative.” These days, I’ve learned to take it slowly and to always be prepared. Being prepared means I always have something to jot down ideas. Read more>>
Salomon Vertiz
Nine months ago, the northwest neighborhood of Pacific Palisades was engulfed in flames, eventually encompassing about 5,000 acres. Fires spread to Pasadena, Altadena, Eaton. Inner cities like Bell Gardens were surrounded by thick, ominous layers of smoke. Couple days prior, I suffered a fall in the LA River, bruising my ribs. It hurt to laugh, cough. Read more>>
Anthony Sims II
Wait to be inspired. Sometimes the wait is better than the immediate gratification of creation. When I feel a creative block, it’s easy to blame the challenge, and it’s much more difficult to admit that I need to take time off. Read more>>
S. F. Rogers
A very wise friend told me that if I’m stuck, step away. I love the practice of stepping outside into the fresh air and sitting for a moment. If that doesn’t work, then I pull out my storytelling dice and try to write something outside the manuscript I’m working on. Don’t be scared to write something out of the norm! Read more>>
Marie Fiorin
In my work as a fashion journalist and radio host, I’ve learned the hard way that creativity blocks don’t stand a chance against time and deadlines. When you’re about to go live on air, you can’t afford to be stuck — you have to find topics. Read more>>
Kendall C. Stark
Writer’s Block is only a state of mind. States of mind are temporary. You can feel sad or down, but those feelings aren’t forever. Once you realize that writer’s block is inherently a fleeting moment that will be over soon, that is the first step of conquering the block. The next step is a little harder. Read more>>
Chung Yu (Alex) Chen
I let things get a little messy. Instead of starting the workflow in the usual way, I slow down and keep it exploratory. I’ll create and execute random ideas—sometimes by hand, sometimes using tools I don’t normally use. I’ll put on an album I wouldn’t usually listen to, and remind myself: it’s okay to be inefficient, it’s okay to be imperfect. Read more>>
Jingtong Yan
Hitting a creative block is pretty normal for me, especially with self-promotion projects. I usually deal with it in two ways. First, I like to start a few different directions at once. If one feels stuck, I can switch to another. Often, progress in one area sparks ideas for the others. Read more>>
Kare Nguyen
I was working in a role where I needed to write and respond to questions and topics with thoughtful, researched, and detailed answers that wouldn’t just help the one person I’m responding to, but to anyone who came across my answer/message. Read more>>
Fynn Rolston
My first instinct when I hit a creative block is always to dive headfirst into inspiration. I’ll read fashion magazines, scroll through archives, watch videos or interviews in the field I’m focusing on, and even reach out to people who inspire me. I’ve also found that experimentation is the best way forward. Read more>>
Nickolas Deanne
When I face a creativity block, I’ve learned that it all starts with mindset. I don’t wait for inspiration to strike—I take action. I sit down and write honestly about what I’m experiencing in my life: the struggles, the emotions, the raw moments. That vulnerability becomes the foundation of my work. Read more>>
Richard Leard
Creative block isn’t something you can truly “beat” it’s more about learning how to manage it and keep the creative spark alive. I look for inspiration anywhere I can find it: music, art, video games, and movies. With movies, I pay close attention to the environments, backstories, and character designs. Read more>>
Carolyn Yoo
One way I recommend working through creativity blocks is determining one’s minimum creative time. What’s the minimum number of minutes you can devote to your creative work today that you can feel good about? For me the number is five minutes, just a blip of time drawing one thing in my sketchbook or writing a sentence or two. Read more>>
