Creative Block? 3 Tips to help Spark some Inspiration
It’s all about filling that creative cup
3 min read
Falling into a creative rut is bound to happen sooner or later.
There’s nothing wrong with that, I think it’s our mind's way of telling us we need a break- or we need to spark some inspiration.
Either way, it’s no fun. You feel stuck & unable to create.
Here are a couple of ways to get through that inevitable feeling.
Switch it up
do things differently.
Sometimes I get lost in my posting schedule & creating content for the algorithms instead of doing something useful for my creative growth.
I took a break from the brief challenges on Instagram & started coming up with the entire brief myself. Including business ideas & branding aesthetics that I’m interested in.
Sometimes having rules & strict guidelines can hurt your creativity- follow what interests you, try new things & don’t be afraid to put it all out there.
Get out of your comfort zone.
I took a small break from branding projects altogether (except client work, of course) to practice more graphic design skills- poster design in particular.
I was nervous to start this little side project but I knew I’d learn a lot & it would help strengthen my design skills.
Challenging yourself forces you to learn and grow in ways you wouldn’t if you stayed inside your comfort zone.
Experiment, learn a new skill, try an entirely different medium- take a risk!
Refresh your space
switch up the flow of energy
By now, you know the benefits of working in a clean & organized workspace.
But when I’m feeling less than creative, I need more than a clean desk.
It’s the official start of spring, so open those windows & do some real spring cleaning.
Declutter your space so you can declutter your mind & allow new ideas in.
I go into this ‘refreshing’ with a positive attitude & my favorite playlist.
Singing & dancing are absolutely required.
Any way you like to move your body & get the juices flowing is encouraged- put on Yoga with Adriene, go to the gym, or go for a walk around your neighborhood.
Moving things around gets rid of that stagnant energy & creates space for something new.
Besides, getting your mind off trying to create for a bit can’t hurt either.
look for inspiration everywhere
pay attention to details
Whether it’s client work or passion projects or creating content- sometimes you’re just putting out more than you're taking in.
Take a step back & look around.
Look for inspiration in different ways. Try avoiding social media altogether.
Find a used book store & browse through their design books.
Pay attention to the branding on that walk around your neighborhood.
Read books, articles, blog posts & case studies.
Sign up for design newsletters that provide curated inspiration for you to browse with your morning coffee.
Look at architecture, impressionist artwork, short films & old magazines.
Keep a sketchbook with you to keep track of the things that inspire you & those ideas that come & go quickly.
Having something to look back on when you’re feeling uninspired can do wonders. Maybe this time you’ll make sense of the things you scribbled down before.
As creatives, we’re bound to go through a block every now & then. In my experience, it’s best to lean into it.
Don’t put any pressure on yourself to create if you can’t.
Work on other things.
Take some time to refresh & refill your creative cup.
You’ll come out the other side even stronger 💪
Thanks for reading!
Let me know how you get out of a creative rut in the comments!
