It can be great working in a creative industry, but it can be hard to remain enthusiastic and inspired all the time.
When you are in the creative process you require to be in the right frame of mind, you need to be inspired and focused to create your best work. Creative block can be hugely frustrating and is the last thing you need when your role is built on being inventive. You could have everything set up and still get hit with the dreaded block. If you are a blogger, have you ever suffered from creative block? Are you wondering how other creators seem to put out creative ideas so effortlessly?
You will be happy to know you are not alone. What works best when trying to overcome creative block is different for everyone. Even the biggest professional designers with years of experience can face a creative block. So, when creative block inevitably hits you, you ca try some of these tips to help get those creative juices flowing again.
These are 12 simple ways that you can overcome your writer’s block.
1. Try A Digital Detox
Sometimes staring at a blank age or screen can be redundant. Many of us now spend our days attached to our smart phones or laptop screen.
Getting away from your desk routine and spend time with family, friends or get outside. Getting yourself away from technology can help put your mind elsewhere as well as helping the creative juices flow. Having a social media detox can enable you to come back to your project refreshed with a new found motivation.
Read: 6 ways to stop wasting time on social media
2. Change Your Environment
Your environment can impact how you work and your productivity. It is important to remember that individuals are relaxed, comfortable and positively stimulated are known to be more creative. When you have been stuck creatively moving to a different environment can help spark new motivation and creativity. The right working environment can stimulate creativity and innovation. Colours, lighting, sounds and arrangements all influences how creative people can be.
A study completed by the University of Chicago found that ambient noise was the optimal level for creativity. Whereas extreme quiet sharpens your focus which makes it hard for you to think creatively. So, when you are stuck switching to a different workspace can help you spark your creativity.
3. Broaden Your Horizons
Immersing yourself in different arts or cultures that you wouldn’t necessarily be interested in. if creative block feels like a permanent friend, you could take up learning a new skill, visit a museum or shake up your life in a big way. Experiencing new things can inspire you and bring a new side to your creativity.
4. Do A Methodical Task Instead
On some occasions, you may just need to clear your head in order to restart your creativity. So, deciding to do a methodical and monotonous task can give your mind a break. Taking a break could be to out a wash on, cleaning the house or even washing dishes – all these tasks require little effort to think about. When you have been busy participating in boring tasks, chances are your mind will be craving some creative projects.
Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash
5. Don’t Be Afraid To Stay Away
Staring at a blank canvas can be a waste of time, taking the time away from your project can help clear your mind. Whether you take time to be with loved ones, take a short walk or to do other tasks, it will help to take your focus and frustration of the creative block. You can then go back to your project with a clear head and motivation.
6. Find New Sources Of Inspiration
Searching different platforms can be a great way to boost your creativity. If you are a blogger reading other blog posts can provide you with inspiration. Pinterest is an effective tool to see content from all types of creators. Instagram and Twitter are also platforms that share creative content that can inspire and motivate you.
7. Allow Yourself To Fail
Could you be holding yourself back because you are worried your work will not be good enough? When you step outside your comfort zone, it will sharpen your skills and possibly enable you to create a project better than you thought.
If you are working on an important project you may be concerned you will fail, this can cause a creative block or you may stick to your comfort zone and won’t try something new.
8. Take Care Of Yourself
It is vital to listen to your body. When you are struggling with creative block, it can be really stressful and it can come with an immense amount of pressure. So, taking a break and giving yourself permission to be kind to yourself. Take a nap, have a snack, watch a favourite T.V. show or even have a relaxing batch, do something for yourself. Sometimes taking care of yourself is all you need to recharge to help initiate a breakthrough.
Read: 25 ways you can practise self-care
9. Talk To Other Creators
Broaden your network. Having conversations always ignites ideas and turning to your creative community can help you feel stimulated again, knowing that you are not the only one struggling with your creativity.
Photo by Sarah Dorweiler on Unsplash
10. Break It Down Into Manageable Chunks
In some cases, a project can seem too big or too daunting that can make you lose track of what matters. It can be easier to break down the creative project and then it can come together as a bigger picture. For example, if you are a blogger and you are stuck, instead of the whole post, break it down. So, firstly come up with a title, then brainstorm key points etc. once you start on one chunk it can spark motivation and the ideas come flowing.
11. Do Not Force Creativity
Inspiration and creativity is not something you can force and you cannot do it on purpose. If you try to reproduce a past good or successful project, you’ll never get the same result. Creativity is not a manual skill therefore it cannot be forced. Everyone loses steam sometimes; it is okay to walk away and try again with fresh eyes.
12. Eliminate Distractions
Your phone can be a huge distraction when you are constantly being notified of an interaction. This can also be the same for emails and any social media platforms on your laptop. Scheduling certain times for checking social media and other notifications, this can stop the urge of checking your phone.
Creative block can happen to anyone at any time and can make you feel extremely frustrated. There can be many reasons why you can be stuck creatively such as:
- Stress or unhappiness
- Fear of imperfection
- Have too many ideas and have decision fatigue
- Your creativity routine isn’t working
- You are overthinking
- A life change or problem arises
Creative block happen to the best of us, but it doesn’t have to stop you in your tracks. With these tips and some time, you’ll be back on track with your creative projects. Whenever you are struck with the creative barrier, go through this list of strategies. It will give you simple, yet sure-fire ways to get your creative juices flowing again.
What do you do when you are hit by a creative block? I’d love to hear in the comments.
Useful information. Thank you 😊
Some fab tips. I find that not thinking about it and doing something else always helps. The more I think, the less I can come up with!
Yes that can just lead to frustration. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great tips, thank you for sharing
I’ve definitely experienced creative block when it comes to my blog and I found it most helpful to take a step back from my blog and being online. I also agree you can’t force creativity so that’s why it is a good idea to take a step back.
Thank you for reading and commenting x
So true! These are good ways to overcome creative blocks. I usually walk around my room to overcome it. So far, it works like a chalk.
These are all such useful tips, Lauren. I’ve been battling a creative block for the past couple weeks, so I’ll be trying out some of these ideas for sure. Thanks for sharing! x
I hope these tips help you. Thank you for reading and commenting x
Fap tips! I’ve experienced creative block a lot with my blog and sometimes it really is just best to step away from it for a while. I think taking care of yourself is so important and I love the idea of doing a methodical task first too – you’re absolutely right, I often end up coming up with ideas whilst doing simple things like doing the dishes! Thank you so much for sharing x
These are great tips. I often get creative block and I agree taking some time away from social media can help.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Creative blocks are a nightmare, these are great ways to overcome a creative block. I usually like to take a break from blogging when that happens and focus on something else until my creative juices fill up again! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
That’s a good idea! Thank you for reading and commenting x
Great tips! I’m not a very creative person in general and always wonder how people do it.
Some of these can definitely apply for when I have a writer’s block with my blog though, thanks!
You are creative because you have a blog, creators block is for all areas. Thank you for reading and commenting.
This is incredibly helpful information. We definitely agree with Nos. 3, 4, and 7, as allowing ourselves to broaden our horizons and feel comfortable with the prospect of failure removes the “training wheels” so to speak. Feeling comfortable with failure allows us to create content fearlessly. Thank you for sharing this list!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
You’re welcome.
A digital detox is such a good idea. I often get trapped in a scroll cycle and it blocks so much of my life out!
Corinne x
https://skinnedcartree.com
Yes I can be guilty of endless scrolling and it doesn’t help. Thank you for reading and commenting. X
I LOVE this!! I like to change up my environment, get outside and definitely a digital detox.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great tips, I will try the methodical method. And there are just I knew about it from this post. Thank you for sharing them.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Really great tips here Lauren! I wish I had this at the beginning of the year when I was getting awful writers block! Eliminating distractions is so important, if I don’t, I procrastinate a lot haha. Thank you for sharing!
Procrastination is so easy isn’t it! Thank you for reading and commenting.
This post was perfect for me. When I stopped taking care of myself, I noticed that my creativity levels went down and I was less motivated. Taking a step back and trying something new helped to spike it up again.
You’ve made some excellent points here. Usually if I’m finding lack of any form of creativity it’s because I’m “trying too hard”. Forcing myself to be motivated to post, read, exercise, really anything of that sort takes a toll on my ability to actually get it done because I hyper fixate on it.
I like that you e offered many suggestions for people all over.
I stopped caring for myself and my likes over recent months and it shows, so this post was an excellent read for me to work toward getting myself back on track and out of my depressive rut. Thanks!
Such a helpful post! I really resonate with not forcing creativity as the additional stress of creating something can actually lead to little productivity!
Definitely! Thank you for reading and commenting.
These are amazing tips! And so true. I am moving, so I am obviously not practicing as much self care as I need. Because of that, my blog has been suffering because I have ZERO ideas so I need to take care of myself!
Definitely! Moving is so stressful. Maybe when you are moved you could write a post of top tips you have learned from moving. To help others who might be moving soon? Xx
Thank you! that is such a great idea!
Some brilliant tips here! For some reason, the thing that always works for me is doing something that’s generally pretty boring like washing dishes or taking a shower haha. Thank you for sharing these, lots of new things to try when creative block hits next. 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Wonderful tips Lauren! You are so right though, having a group of bloggers friends to share ideas and bounce ideas with it’s the best!
Definitely! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Lovely post! I add a new scent to my environment; that could mean flipping the reeds in my diffuser or cleaning the house for that ‘fresh’ scent or baking a treat in the oven. Pleasant scents help me relax and get my brain going again.
Crystal | http://www.amazingbaby.app
That is a good idea! I like to light a candle. Thank you for reading and commenting X
I have to work the hardest on eliminating distractions.
That is a thing I have to work on too! Thank you for reading and commenting!
There is nothing worse than a writers block so I hugely appreciate this post and the amazing tips you’ve shared. I’ll for sure be putting them to go use the next time in at a standstill with my writing. Thank you so much for sharing with us lovely Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
I think I have a problem of overthibking things sometimes. I’m still working on it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading and commenting x
These are all nice tips, and I agree on Pinterest being a source of inspiration and content ideas, that app is wonderful. A digital detox, is something everyone needs once in a while but then it takes some serious effort. Overall, I love this post.
It’s always great to read posts like this because not only do I get great ideas to help me out; I also don’t feel so alone when a creativity blocks decides to come along. It’s good to know we all struggle from time to time!
You are absolutely not alone. I am glad you like this post. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Love these ideas! Talking to other people is a great idea, I love to discuss my thoughts with other creators to create a firm plan of my next creative idea 🙂 x
Good ideas here! Sometimes we just need to walk away.
Thank you for sharing these ideas – I definitely experience creative block from time to time so this list will be really helpful. Something that helps me is to declutter my workspace – I can think more clearly when I’m not surrounded in mess! x
That is really helpful. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Changing environment and engaging a hobby generally helps me
Fantastic ideas! I love the digital detox one! It is hard to stay motivated all the time. Thanks so much for sharing!
It really is! Having breaks is important. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I find creativity easier if I’m trying to make something that sucks as step 1. step 2 may or may not happen.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Your web address you left, does not work x
Great advices! Next time I’m unable to write I will be applying these tips!
Getting inspired 💫 Thank you!😊
These are great tips. I try to take a digital detox regularly. We have one coming up this weekend, as I will be enjoying family time on our weekend away.
Enjoy yourself!
Great tips actually!!
I never thought about these, very helpful.
Thanks for sharing, I’m going through writers block at the moment again, I’m thinking it’s so much pressure to do everything, not slowing down and thinking right I need to do this at this time, I hope that I can writer something soon 🙂
I hope these tips help you and you can start writing soon. Thank you for sharing.