7 Tips to Help You Break Through a Creative Block

Are you feeling stuck in your creative pursuits? For artists, creative blocks can be frustrating and debilitating. Here are seven tips to help you overcome your block and get your creative juices flowing again:

• TIP #1: Take a Break and Practice Self-Care: Sometimes, stepping away from your project can be just what you need to get unstuck. Take some time to relax, recharge, and focus on your own well-being. Go for a walk, take a yoga class, or spend time with loved ones. For example, author Cheryl Strayed has said that she often takes long walks in nature to clear her mind and spark new ideas.
• TIP #2: Change Your Environment: A change of scenery can be just what you need to spark some creativity. Try working from a different location, or rearranging your workspace to give yourself a fresh perspective. Even small changes, like working from a different coffee shop or rearranging your furniture, can make a big difference. Artist Georgia O’Keeffe often worked in different locations, including her home in New Mexico, to find new sources of inspiration.
• TIP #3: Warm Up with Creative Exercises: Doing some creative warm-ups can help loosen up your thinking and get you in the right mindset. Try freewriting, drawing prompts, or even just doodling. For example, writer Julia Cameron recommends doing “morning pages,” where you write three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing first thing in the morning.

• TIP #4: Seek Out New Inspiration: When you’re feeling stuck, it can be helpful to seek out new sources of inspiration. Read a book, look at art, watch a movie, or even just people-watch. Sometimes, seeing things from a different perspective can help spark new ideas. For example, musician David Bowie often drew inspiration from art and fashion, and was known for his bold and eclectic style.
• TIP #5: Set Small, Achievable Goals: When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to know where to start. Try setting small, achievable goals for yourself, and see if you can meet them. This can help build momentum and get you moving forward. For example, if you’re an artist, try setting a goal to paint for 10 minutes each day, or to paint for 30 minuter per week.
• TIP #6: Collaborate with Others: Working with others can be a great way to get unstuck. Bouncing ideas off of someone else can help you see things in a new light, and can even lead to some unexpected breakthroughs. For example, the musical duo Hall & Oates often co-wrote songs with other musicians, and credited these collaborations with helping them to come up with some of their biggest hits.

• TIP #7: Give Yourself Permission to Create Badly: One of the biggest blocks to creativity is the fear of not being good enough. Give yourself permission to create something terrible, and see what happens. Sometimes, the act of creating something bad can actually lead to something good. For example, artist Pablo Picasso was known for his prolific output, and often created multiple versions of the same piece. He believed that the key to creating something good was to create a lot, and not worry too much about quality.

By trying out these tips, you can break through your creative block and get back to making art that inspires and fulfills you. Remember to be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things.