10 Tips to Conquer Creative Block
I’m not immune to creative block. It happens to all of us at some point or another and really, it’s all part of the process. Whether you’re a painter, a writer, or any other “creator” - even in business, you no doubt have found yourself experiencing this, and it can feel frustrating and demoralizing. Getting out of the “blocked” state, however, is instrumental in getting back to creating what we love, and there are some wonderful things that can be a huge help.
What causes creative block?
Creative block can result from a variety of things, many of which probably come as no surprise. Here are a few of the typical culprits:
Stress and anxiety: Stress can have a negative impact on our cognitive function, which can cause our minds to shut down and see things more narrowly. Another contributor is perfectionism and self-doubt. When we strive to be perfect in what we create, it often leads to a paralysis. We tend to overanalyze and focus on the mistakes, rather than embracing in the positives and what is working.
Perfectionism and Self-Doubt: Perfection is the death of creativity. It can stop our creativity in its tracks. At the same time, self-doubt can negatively impact our ability to create. We second-guess our ideas and struggle to make progress, and worry about failing.
Routine and Burnout: When we fall into a repetitive routine, we can often stagnate, and fall into a creative rut. At the same time, if we push ourselves TOO hard, it we can burnout, killing our drive to create.
Lack of Inspiration: Creativity often thrives when individuals are inspired by their surroundings, experiences, or other forms of art. When there's a lack of new stimuli or experiences, creative block can occur.
Routine and Monotony: Engaging in the same routine over a long period can lead to a creative rut. A lack of novelty and variety in one's daily life can stifle creative thinking.
There are other reasons we can fall prey to creative block, but getting OUT of it, is what we really want. So, how does one turn the corner?
Overcoming Creative Block
All of these have helped me, personally. You don’t need to do all of them to see the benefits, so pick what resonates with you most to get into a more creative headspace.
Take a Break: Step away from your work and do something completely unrelated to help clear your mind and provide a fresh perspective. Some ideas include: going for a walk, listening to music, or engaging in a different creative activity.
Change your environment: If you’re feeling stuck, try working in a different location or rearranging your workspace. A change of scenery can stimulate new ideas and break the monotony. Further, if you tend to have a messy work environment, go through a “detox” of sorts, and declutter your space. I’m personally guilty of this, and find that the fresh clean slate of a decluttered desk and environment can make a huge difference for me.
Seek inspiration: Look for inspiration in various forms such as books, movies, art, or nature. Getting outside has been shown to be a huge help in boosting creative levels, and once again, this is definitely something that works for me.
Brainstorm: Start by jotting down any ideas that come to mind, no matter how silly or unrelated they may seem. Then, try to visually connect and expand upon your ideas. This can help trigger new connections and spark creativity.
Collaborate with others: Engage in discussions and brainstorming sessions with colleagues, friends, or fellow creatives. Sharing ideas and bouncing them off others can lead to fresh insights and innovative solutions.
Embrace constraints: Sometimes, if we have endless possibilities as our starting point, it can overwhelm us and cause us to stare at a blank page like a deer in the headlights. Setting limitations, however, can actually fuel creativity. This can force you to think outside the box and find unique solutions.
Experiment and take risks: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, styles, or approaches. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and embrace the possibility of failure.
Practice mindfulness and meditation: I admit, I’m not good at this. I’m a “go go go” type person…an activator…so sitting still is not my forte. However, studies show that clearing your mind and focusing on the present moment through mindfulness or meditation techniques can help alleviate stress and open up space for creative thinking.
Keep a creative journal: Maintain a journal where you can jot down ideas, sketches, or random thoughts. This can serve as a resource for future inspiration and help you track your creative progress.
Don’t force it: Sometimes, creative block is a sign that you need to take a break and recharge. Trust that your creativity will return in due time, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to produce immediately.
Have you experienced creative block? How do you typically overcome it? Share in the comments below!