5 Ways to Overcome Creativity Block

Welcome to the very first post in our Creative Kickstart series: 5 Ways to Overcome Creativity Block!

If you're anything like me, there are days (or even longer periods of time) where finding the motivation to create becomes seemingly impossible.  For me, it can be any number of things - lack of inspiration, too many distractions, or just generally feeling stuck.  Here of 5 of my tips for breaking free of your creative block and kickstarting your creative flow!

1. Take 30 Minutes to Let Others Inspire You.  Grab a cup of tea (or for me, a soy chai) and browse online for half an hour. Look at your favorite online galleries, fashion and design blogs, or Etsy shops.  Or turn on your favorite music and thumb through a fashion, home decor, or lifestyle magazine.  It's amazing how spending just a few minutes enjoying the work of others can ease the pressure and inspire you to feel motivated to create.

2. Go Outside.  Get out of your studio, house, or office, and spend a few minutes outdoors.  If you live in the city, take a short walk and observe the shops, architecture, street art, and people.  If you live in the country, spend a few minutes breathing fresh air (even if it's cold out!) and basking in nature.  I'm a city girl, but a short drive to a nature preserve and some time among the trees does wonders for me!

3. Create for Fun. We're all busy with work and life, and it's easy to get lost in the pressure and forget the pleasure.  When I'm feeling creativity block, it's often at least partly because I'm thinking only in terms of work and my businesses.  Believe it or not, putting work aside for an hour or two and letting yourself start a project just for fun will allow you to comeback to your work projects feeling refreshed. Even if your job isn't in a creative field, giving yourself some time to work on something you enjoy can make your workday more enjoyable as well.

4. Start An Idea Journal. Creative people tend to come up with the best ideas when they're not focusing too hard.  Make or buy a pretty journal or pocket notebook that you can carry with you and put by your bed at night, and when you have a creative thought (no matter how silly it may seem at the time), record it. This will allow you to feel less pressured to come up with new ideas during your workday so you can concentrate on turning your concepts into reality.

5. Banish Self Doubt. This one is easier said than done, but it's also the most important, and it happens to all of us.  We compare ourselves to others, get down on ourselves for not accomplishing all of our goals, or question our abilities.  Just remember that no matter what, there is someone out there who looks up to you and admires your work!  You have talent, or you wouldn't create in the first place.  Make some colorful notes on scrap paper to tape up in your workspace with positive words or thoughts to remind you that you are a unique, creative person!  I like to do this with single, powerful words like ENCOURAGE, LIMITLESS, BEAUTIFUL and BLISSFUL.

What are your tips for breaking free of creativity block?

Images - 1. Create sewing collage found here, 2. me loving a Sequoia in Yosemite, 3. fun creative inspiration collage I made last year, 4. my idea journal, 5. positive words to inspire.

xo,
melissa