Creative blocks happen to everyone. Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or someone who simply enjoys creative expression, moments of stagnation can feel frustrating. But inspiration isn’t something that just arrives—it’s something you can cultivate. Here’s how to reignite your creativity and find inspiration when you’re feeling stuck.
1. Step Away & Shift Your Environment
Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need.
- Go for a walk. Let your mind wander while observing your surroundings.
- Rearrange your workspace. Shift furniture, add fresh flowers, or declutter.
- Visit a new place. A museum, bookstore, park, or even a different café can spark new ideas.
Try this: Move to a different space and bring your creative tools with you—see how your ideas shift in a new environment.
2. Engage in a Different Art Form
Creativity thrives on cross-pollination. We offer a great course that helps exploring movement without all of the pressures of normal movement classes. It’s called Movement for Movement’s Sake which can be found here!
- Writers: Listen to music, paint, or dance.
- Artists: Read poetry, watch a film, or experiment with sound.
- Musicians: Visit an art gallery, study architecture, or try photography.
Try this: Spend 15 minutes engaging in an art form you normally don’t practice and see what connections emerge.
3. Create Without Pressure or Expectation
Not everything has to be a masterpiece. We also have a great course that just gets you started creating called Creativity Unleashed it can be found here.
- Doodle, free-write, or improvise. Let go of perfection and just create.
- Use a limited time frame. Set a timer for five minutes and see what emerges.
- Make bad art intentionally. Remove pressure by playing with imperfection.
Try this: Give yourself permission to make something without showing it to anyone.
4. Seek Inspiration in the Mundane
Beauty and creativity exist everywhere—you just have to notice.
- Observe small details. The patterns in your coffee foam, the way light hits a surface, the sounds of a street corner.
- Write down overheard conversations. Snippets of real-life dialogue can spark ideas.
- Reframe the ordinary. Imagine your daily routine as a film scene or a novel chapter.
Try this: Take a five-minute walk and find something beautiful in a place you usually overlook.
5. Change Your Creative Process
If your usual approach isn’t working, experiment with a new one.
- Reverse your workflow. Start with the ending and work backward.
- Use constraints. Limit yourself to a single color, one sentence, or a single instrument.
- Try a new tool. Swap digital for analog, try a new medium, or work in a different format.
Try this: If you always work seated, stand. If you always start with an outline, begin with a freeform sketch.
6. Take an Inspiration Break
Sometimes, forcing creativity does more harm than good.
- Read about other artists’ creative struggles. Their journeys can remind you that blocks are temporary.
- Watch a film, listen to a podcast, or flip through a coffee table book. Let visuals and stories guide your thinking.
- Do something completely unrelated. Cook, garden, organize—your brain will still be working in the background.
Try this: Take an intentional break, then return to your work with fresh eyes.
7. Move Your Body to Move Your Mind
Physical movement can unlock creative flow.
- Dance, stretch, or do yoga. Shake out stagnant energy.
- Go for a run or a swim. Repetitive motion helps process thoughts.
- Change your posture while working. Sit on the floor, stand, or lie down and brainstorm.
Try this: Set a timer for two minutes and move freely before returning to your creative work.
8. Use Prompts & Challenges
Sometimes, structure can spark creativity.
- Use creative prompts. Pick a random word, image, or phrase and create something around it.
- Set a fun challenge. Draw with your non-dominant hand, write a story in six words, compose a melody in five minutes.
- Join a community challenge. Participate in a daily art, poetry, or journaling challenge.
Try this: Open a book to a random page, choose the first sentence you see, and use it as inspiration for your next creative piece.
9. Look to Nature for Inspiration
Nature offers endless creative fuel.
- Sketch natural patterns. Leaves, waves, clouds—nature is full of interesting shapes.
- Write about sensory experiences. The smell of rain, the feel of tree bark, the sound of wind through grass.
- Photograph details. Zoom in on textures, reflections, and organic compositions.
Try this: Spend 10 minutes outside without a phone, simply observing and absorbing your surroundings.
10. Trust That Inspiration Will Return
Creative blocks don’t last forever—sometimes, you just need to give yourself grace.
- Let go of self-judgment. Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing—it’s part of the process.
- Remind yourself of past inspiration. Revisit old work that you’re proud of.
- Allow rest. Creativity often returns when you stop chasing it.
Try this: Write a note to your future self with encouragement for the next time you feel creatively stuck.
Creative blocks are temporary, but inspiration is always within reach. What’s one small action you can take today to invite creativity back?
You don’t need a plan—just curiosity. The Art of Wonder is a self-paced 4-week course to help you slow down, notice more, and reawaken your creative gaze. HERE!
Leave a Reply