5 Ways to Overcome a Creative Block
Lights… Camera… Nothing! Artists of all types are known for their creativity, imagery, and enthusiasm for their project. They love creating and putting their work out into the world, but sometimes the ideas don’t flow. They become jumbled inside the brain, begging to be released. It’s important to know that creative blocks happen to everyone. Luckily, there are ways to get rid of them.
- Step Away from Work
Sometimes people become so focused on creating something new and incredible, they put too much pressure on themselves. Take a break from thinking. Go on a walk. Watch a movie. Get a drink with friends. Do anything other than what you’re supposed to do. After a day or two, come back to the project with a clear head. And please, please remember to get adequate sleep.
2. Take a Notebook Everywhere
The phrase “you never know when inspiration may strike” has never been more true. Go about life as usual. If something stands out on the subway or at the local coffee shop, write it down. Suddenly, the problem won’t lie in having no ideas– there will be too many ideas to choose from.
3. Finish Unfinished Projects
If there are any unfinished projects lying around, finish them. Even if the work is sloppy, at least it will be done. Set out to finish every project, even the bad ones, and eventually one will become what it’s meant to be: something incredible.
4. Try Something New
New ideas come from experiences. No one ever learned anything new by hiding away in their room. Something new doesn’t have to be crazy or exciting either. It can be something as simple as taking a cooking class or taking a different route to work in the morning. It can be eating a ham sandwich for lunch instead of turkey. Every experience warrants a new thought–something to mull over and consider at the end of the day.
5. Get in a Set Routine
Every single project does not need to be a masterpiece. An actor doesn’t need to master every monologue, every story a writer creates doesn’t need to be entertaining, and every painting an artist creates doesn’t have to be Starry Night. Do the work anyway. Set up a regular routine every day. Artists should plan to spend five, 10, or 20 minutes working on their craft. For photographers, that’s taking pictures. For singers, that’s jamming to the radio on the drive to work. Eventually, one of those simple morning rituals will turn into a spectacular idea.
Overall, creative blocks were made to be broken. Get to work by stepping away from work, doing something new, and getting used to a routine. The world deserves to see the best of the best, but that can only be done when people step out of their comfort zones and knock down every single creative block they have.
