“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 crea
Logan Sanders
I always listen for something other peoples’s music. Listening always sparks idea. Take something into your own perspective and create something new and fresh with it.Logan Sanders is a Nashville based singer/songwriter. Given the stamp of approval by Garth Brooks, Sanders and his band are becoming a driving force in country music. Read More>>
Linneka Watson
As a graphic designer, I have encountered instances where I faced creative blocks while working on projects. However, I have developed strategies that specifically address these challenges and help me overcome creative obstacles.
When experiencing a creative block as a graphic designer, I find it valuable to take a step back and seek inspiration from various sources. I explore design blogs and online portfolios to expose myself to different design styles, techniques, and trends. Immersing myself in the creative work of others often sparks new ideas and revitalizes my own creativity. Read More>>
James Parke
The creative process is a wild ride. A uniquely fluid, emotional journey on one hand. And a systemized, logical one on the other. From inspiration to generation to expression, creating is an art and science that feeds our souls in ways difficult to define. It’s an outlet, a means to explore, and a great tool to channel connection. At times, the flow of ideas is abundant. And at others, the flow feels totally unavailable. When the words or ideas seem to be out of reach, here are some strategies that have worked well when trying to overcome creative block. Read More>>
Fellpeller Studios
As a group, we are able to hold each other accountable with our creativity. It is something we are truly grateful for. But one of the biggest things that keep us going is our willingness to try new things and step into other arenas that aren’t just film. This world is filled with so many different forms of expression and creativity and we believe that showing versatility in that is the key to success. Read More>>
Jason Williams
Creativity block is a very real problem for creatives (like me). If you are a creative like I am inspiration can strike at any moment which is great but it also can stop at any given moment (not so great). I spend a lot of time creating so I have had to learn how to over come the block that so many of face. I still don’t have it perfected but I have picked up a few tips and tricks (or hacks for all you cool kids) along the way. Read More>>
Julian Tejeda
Creativity blocks/burnout is almost impossible to escape in my opinion. I think we’ve all gotten into a headspace where we genuinely believe that if we aren’t creating or constantly on the move we’re a failure. The best way to overcome a block on the road to creativity is to allow it to happen, I like to think of it as our brains way of telling us “Hey!!! I need a break!!!” There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking a step back from a project or just taking your time. I’d rather be known as someone who consistently put out good work over a long span of time rather than someone who churns out a product they aren’t going to remember in a month. If your heart is truly in something, the ideas won’t stop. Read More>>
Judy Tzu-Chun Wu
As a scholar and historian, I tend to engage in long-term projects. All of my books thus far have taken 10 years to complete, starting from when I begin conceiving a project, conducting research, writing the manuscript, to when the work is published. Along the way, I have definitely faced both nay-sayers and self-doubt. Am I working on something worthwhile? Am I telling the story in a compelling way? Why can’t I find the time to focus on this project? Why is the computer screen so blank when I do? Read More>>
Drew Henry
As the Owner and Strategist for Eat It Up Marketing, I have the daily task to lead and create eye-catching and “mouthwatering” content marketing campaigns for our clients in San Antonio, the Texas region, and across the country. Jumping back and forth between different clients and creating campaigns across multiple mediums can be fun but also challenging. When you’re using that creative part of your mind all day, you’ll inevitably get tired and run into a creative block. The best way I combat this is to step away from the distractions and get back to why we create in the first place. If I’m working on a restaurant campaign, I’ll step away from the project to go experience a meal, which offers way more inspiration than the office setting! If I’m stuck on a blog post, I’ll change my writing location or step away from screens completely for a walk. Sometimes the best ideas come to you when you’re experiencing rather than forcing a brainstorm. Read More>>
Casey Mensing
I have an interesting but not necessarily uncommon approach to creative blocks. I work on multiple projects simultaneously, usually in several different disciplines. For example, I will have screenwriting, fiction, poetry, painting, collage, and combine projects all going at the same time. When I catch inspiration or an idea for one of them, I work on it, and then as the natural fade occurs or if I get stuck, I move on to one of the other projects. It keeps me constantly in a creative state and working. Still, I wonder if the lack of focus on a single project means it takes longer to finish something or if it would be just as long because I’d be dealing with creative blocks or fighting with myself to get into the creative mindset. Read More>>
Quanaisha Stafford
I personally struggled with creative blocks for years where I wasn’t confident in what I was doing for a portion of my life. There were some days when I would begin to paint and in the middle I would feel blocked and stop. From the blocks, I spent so many years unfinished or with work I felt was not good enough. I sat with myself and my work, thinking about what I wanted to paint, but more so what I wanted to say. It was important to me to translate and show the content in a way that made people feel something when they viewed it. I take breaks from painting now, maybe once a month or once a week depending on my creativity. It is more difficult for the creative juice to come out most of the time, so just sitting and existing helps. I reflect and be still. I find that doing this helps me stay focused on the creative process and stay connected to the heart of my work. It also gives me an opportunity to rest and recharge, so I can return to my art refreshed and with an entirely different perspective. During this time, I am able to tap into my subconscious and let my imagination run wild. By giving my mind the space to wander, I am able to come up with new ideas and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process. This time of reflection and stillness also helps me to stay grounded and focused, so I can create my best work. Read More>>
Kalisha B
If I’m creating for others and I have a fast deadline, I research samples to get inspiration. If I have time, I get started right away so I can allow my creativity time to mature. Last, if I am creating for myself and I do not have a deadline for completion, I let my energy lead me. Sometimes it’s right away and sometimes I have to put something down and come back to it later. Read More>>
Patrick Antonian
The best way to overcome a creative block for me is getting new experience and just simply working through it. I try and change up a something in my life to experience some new things. All the while I keep writing. Some things written will not make it to the final release of a song, but I keep writing and eventually get to a place where I’m expressing my new experience and am happy with the outcome. Read More>>
Jayhlin Michele
As a creative, inspiration is always around me. I get inspired by the trees, the sky, nature, family, people, buildings, the list could go on. Inspiration has never left me, I am blessed to be capable of finding that through life, but the urge to create from that inspiration does leave me. For a while, I thought of this lack of drive as a blockage. Something that was stopping me from creating, or doing. One day, I was talking with this really talented human and we were talking about writer’s block at the time it had been a year out from releasing my first poetry collection. As you could imagine, I felt pressed to release something as monumental. While talking with this person the words “you’re just enjoying life right now, and that in itself is the creative process,” really spoke to me. Realizing that a blockage is really in your head has helped me get out of what is known as writer’s block. Creativity is a process, for writers, singers, filmmakers, etc. In the end, taking time to enjoy life and step away from the stress of producing and creating is also a part of that process. When you see it that way, life will continue to be your creative process, instead of your creative blockage. Read More>>
Cory R
Normally when it come to writers block or any creativity block, I’ll dig deep into something that will inspire me to create new ideas. I try create my stories or music chapters from films or books, like John Carpenter or Stephen King. I try to keep things refreshing in a way that everything feels like this “is something new”. Read More>>
Hannah Hall
Creative blocks are SUCH a huge part of pursuing any kind of art form. I think specifically in my field where being a photographer/videographer primarily in the music industry music requires an immense amount of content – more than anytime in history – so having to be constantly pouring out of a creative cup to supply work can get very exhausting. I’ve found having hobbies and communities that are entirely separate from art are intensely important. For me motorcycles have filled the space to use a different part of my brain, something more mechanical and puzzle oriented. Being immersed in a community that is full of stories and traditions always inspires me and informs much of the creative work I do. Just because you are not actively making art doesn’t make you not an artist. Sometimes it’s incredibly important to put art aside and go and learn about things that are a complete 180 from it to help you find it again. Read More>>
