Cancel Creator’s Block: 21 Ways to Get Creatively Motivated Right Now
If I know about anything, it’s creator’s block. As a writer and an artist — especially one with perfectionist tendencies — creative stagnancy is the most frustrating (and discouraging) cycle.
It’s no surprise, though, that many of us find ourselves here, having to work our way out of creative blockage every day. Steven Pressfield refers to this as “Resistance” in his book The War of Art (which I would highly recommend to anyone in any craft or line of work, especially creative); it’s the force that talks us out of showing up, of putting pen to paper, and of just doing the work.
Too, once Resistance has its hold, we perpetuate the cycle. Stagnancy begets stagnancy, and the longer we put off creative action, the harder it is to begin again (kind of like jogging).
And, to top it all off, we’re stuck at home. At the time of writing this, we’re a year into COVID, and I don’t know about you, but as much as I decorate these four walls of mine, it’s not enough to inspire me. Without the ability to travel, to meet strangers in bars, to see live shows, to go to museums, I’ve had to get a little *creative* in finding inspiration. (Which, I think, is actually a very good start. If stagnancy begets stagnancy, then it’s safe to believe creativity begets creativity, too.)
21 Ways to Get Creatively Motivated (Even If You’re Stuck at Home)
Start small. Just like New Year’s Resolutions, trying to bite off more than you can chew at one time will leave you in analysis paralysis — and you’ll drop the project. For example, if you want to start a podcast, don’t wake up and think, “I’m going to start my podcast today.” Think: “Today, I’m going to lock in the name of my podcast, and draft up a description.” Set the tone, the intentionality. That’s it. Start small.
Speak life over your work. Keep in mind that “life and death is in the power of the tongue.” Are you declaring out loud that you are motivated, productive, and generous? Or are you admitting to (or justifying your state) by claiming that you’re lazy and unproductive? If you’re tired, rest. This is exhausting. But don’t let yourself get stuck there longer than you need to be. Speak creativity, innovation, and brilliance into existence.
Establish a routine. Often hard for creators, a routine actually prompts our brains to function optimally. Sleep and consistent, healthy eating are the habits — or building blocks — of our lives as humans — and artists, especially.
Get dressed. Show up for work. It doesn’t matter if you’re working from home; it’s the effect that getting dressed has on the subconscious that matters. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean you need to put on jeans — start comfy). But change your sweater or put on a pair of shoes. Kick your brain into gear by taking that pivot, so it understands, “Oh, we’re shifting now. Let me get ready to create.”
Move your body. Loosen stagnancy in your creativity — often known as “writer’s block or “creator’s block” — by moving your body physically. Stretch, walk, run, dance. Breathe. Breathe deeply, recognizing and appreciating the rise and fall of your breath. Do whatever feels good to you today, so long as it’s movement.
Get into binaural beats. Listen to my current favorite frequency-altering playlist (or search BINAURAL BEATS: Focus & Create in Spotify!). Please note that the research on the effect of listening binaural beats is inconclusive, especially for creative thinking…but the Placebo Effect is still an effect, isn’t it?
Don’t force it. Trying to force yourself to be creative is like forcing yourself to speak another language. Give yourself grace, and let creativity come from overflow rather than external pressure to just get it done.
Read a book. It can be anything — a novel, a biography, a how-to, a children’s book. This is especially helpful for writers, of course, but good for invigorating any creator’s mind.
Put down your phone. There’s a difference between gaining inspiration and falling into comparison. Often, I’ll find myself choosing to peruse Instagram to “get inspired,” when in reality, I’m doing myself no good.
Seriously. Put it on Airplane Mode. Don’t even let those notifications come in. They’ll be there when you get to them.
Pinpoint your role today. Often, we’ll get stuck in analysis paralysis (again) when we try and do it all at once instead of designating days specifically to “creating” or “learning” or “resting” or “executing.” If I haven’t identified what this day is for, I’ll bounce between operations (answering emails, updating my website) and creating (drawing, painting), and I don’t actually move the ball forward in any one area. Focus. Choose your title for today. Are you an operator today, updating your website and responding to emails? Or an artist, with nothing else to do but create? Or are you just dedicated to rest, and allowing yourself to do so fully?
Designate days for rest. To further the previous point, schedule rest days, where you are actually not allowed to create or manage or perform or execute. Just rest. This is imperative, and I’ll repeat it a million times over.
Serve someone else. Get out of your headspace. Meet people (serve/help/mentor others digitally) where they’re at, right in the midst of their needs. You’ll be inspired to create solutions to the world’s problems by seeing, tangibly, the problems that others are facing in their day-to-day.
Hang out with a kid. Observing and sitting in the “childlike wonder” of a young person might inspire freedom and creativity in yourself. Let it be a time to glean and learn from them. Kids have a lot to teach us about creativity.
Watch old home videos. Speaking of “childlike wonder,” consider who you were at 5. What did you like doing? How did you spend your time? What creative activities did you love doing that you’ve forgotten to carry into your adulthood? Our 5-year-old selves can teach us a lot about our calling and purpose in adulthood.
Brain dump. Set a timer for 1 hour. Turn off all distractions and get in a quiet place. In a notepad or on a sheet of paper, brain dump everything. All your ideas, all your questions, whatever comes to mind. Don’t worry about executing on anything. Just get it out, clear your head. Don’t let your pen stop moving; think not of the next step. Just keep writing, and let that stream of consciousness be cathartic (and clarifying).
Go to bed early. Remember that part about “getting into a routine”? Going to bed early should be top priority. I know it’s easy to get stuck in party mode, without having to go into an office every day. Choose your “tomorrow self,” who will thank you for your commitment. Your creativity will abound when you’re not feeling fatigued and sluggish.
Teach yourself a new skill. Maybe your goal as a creator right now isn’t “output,” but is instead “intake.” What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t had the time? YouTube it, Google it, ask a friend, experiment.
Draw with your eyes closed. Let yourself create without the pressure of making something “presentable,” “sharable,” or “sellable.” Allow creativity to be experimental, adventurous, and free.
Deep clean. I know this is personal discretion (some creators work more effectively in messy spaces), but if you’re on the other side, get to cleaning. It will help to allow for creative expression, space for exploration, and you won’t be distracted. This is for both your physical space and your digital space (like your desktop or your email inbox!).
Set an intention. Ask yourself why you want to create today. What story are you expressing? What emotions are being exercised? What is your greater purpose for being here? Let yourself sit in that space before getting to work, because it’s easy to be driven when something big is driving you. Let yourself create from that place of true authenticity, freedom, and with total, absolute, honest-to-God abandon.
