staying creative : Working through creative block


For this staying creative I haven’t written crazy amounts like last week, I thought I would keep it simple. This happens to the best of us, nothing wrong with a creative block and its natural in the life of a creative, our brains sometimes run out of ideas or we over think things that we do that can lead to a creative block.

That can be plenty of way around this and plenty of ways to cope with a short or a long creative block. I thought I would break it into sections.

A change of scene

Sometimes the same scenery and the same four walls can become stagnant and really not help with inspiration. So try and get out and see something new, something that would stimulate your mind. Draw in a different spot, take a walk, go sit in little cafe to finish off some of your work. A new environment will benefit you greatly.

Prettifying your space

Occasionally when I am working in my little studio space in my room, the space can get on my nerves either distracting me or boring me. So I mix it up, try and find some inspiring pictures things that cheer you up and make you smile. Images that keep your brain going. Also it can be a great time away from what ever you are working on.

Read a good book

When I am lacking in creative juices and I am overly stressing about what I am working on. I like to take myself off and read a book. A lot of the time the books I read are to do with art,  history or a good soppy novel. I find that I feel like I am still doing something creative so I don’t overly stress. I shared last week some books that inspire me. 

Don’t stress or force creative process

This is one of the major stumbles when it comes to getting over creative block. I am prone to this, Don’t stress, your ideas and creative process will come back to you. Some creative blocks last a lot longer then others and I think sometimes they are for a reason. You may need to switch you are brain off for a while and there is nothing wrong with that.

Watch a good film.

This is pretty similar to step 3 (read a good book) a good film can take your mind away to other places. Which is always good.

Go back to basics.

If like me you draw, get out your sketchbook and just doodle, don’t put any constraints on yourself. If its blogging step away from blogs! the more you look at other peoples it can stress you out, go out and find what inspires you. 

Cook!

Food is fuel, for the mind and soul take some time away from your desk and your work to cook. Cook something nice that you could maybe share or just devour yourself, I absolutely love baking, its one of my favorite things to do and always happily takes my mind off the stress of not creating.

Get out! 

Socializing can help temporarily (and creative block is temporary)  take your mind off creative stress. Even if it is only for an hour, a good break with people that make you smile, could be just what you need.

Take a  full break.

Sometimes creatives burn out and need a break from creative work, whilst away you could work on something new and different (this may lead to something new) it might be good to use another part of your brain. I’ve done this before, I stopped drawing and blogging properly for 3 months, it was just what I needed, i got figgity but it was nice not having to stress out about reaching deadlines and just do my 9-5 job.

Remember work on the things you can do and don’t worry about the things you can’t, make a list of things that you feel that you can work on start small when getting back into working and then build on that. Don’t stress to much and fret seeing all these other creatives making fun and exciting work, we all have creative blocks, just don’t let it take over everything you do.

You can read last weeks staying creative post here.

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17 Comments

  1. January 12, 2014 / 10:35 am

    Great advice Ella. I'm having a bit of a brain block at the moment, so going to go out for a wander and wake my head up 🙂

  2. January 12, 2014 / 11:43 am

    After graduating I've just had the biggest creative block. Everyone was telling me to take a break but after working so hard and full on for 3 years a break felt like I was being lazy. It's been tough but after taking a break I'm slowly getting back to things and it now feels great. It might feel weird at first but like you say, sometimes you just need time.

  3. January 12, 2014 / 12:31 pm

    These are really good tips! ♥ I find that if you start getting annoyed or impatient with your work then you won't create something very good so it's best to take a step back and relax with something else.

  4. January 12, 2014 / 1:18 pm

    from all of these, I think the most important (for me anyways) is to get out more. I have weeks when I get out in total 3 or 4h/week. yup.. that's not good.

    imeowlife. ,Dixx

  5. January 13, 2014 / 5:18 am

    I am constantly searching online for ideas that can assist me. Thank you!
    jeux de ninja

  6. January 13, 2014 / 1:23 pm

    Good tips Ella! I always find a little tidy/organisation break can get my motivation back.
    Also looking at photos and reading blogs of other creatives that are doing amazing things with their life often kicks me into gear.
    Raffles Bizarre Blog

  7. January 13, 2014 / 6:05 pm

    Thank you for sharing these tips, they are awesome!

    Maria xxx

  8. January 14, 2014 / 4:53 pm

    Switching up your surroundings definitely help, you're spot on there! Hope all is well 🙂

  9. January 14, 2014 / 4:55 pm

    Also I'm in love with the fabriano sketchbook, hands down the best paper I've had the pleasure of using!

  10. January 18, 2014 / 9:15 pm

    Great tips! 🙂 Working all the time has been blocking my inspiration… I try hard to stay creative though – reading, watching films and docs, daydreaming, etc.

  11. January 20, 2014 / 8:29 pm

    Love these tips! I'm starting to realise what helps when I'm stuck creatively and being in a nice space is definitely one of them. Recently I've been trying to keep my bedroom tidy as it's where I do most of my writing and blogging but sometimes I'll just head out to Starbucks to get away from the distractions!

    Reading works for me too but sometimes I just need to do something that doesn't require much concentration like some simple crochet. It lets my mind wander and solve some of the block.

    Sorcha x Bright Field Notes

  12. January 26, 2014 / 5:05 pm

    This is exactly what I needed to read, thank you so much xx

    Ruby
    rubys-eyes.blogspot.com

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