How do I get over a creative block?

Getting over a creative block is hard. Trying to get your creative juices to flow on demand is hard. Trying to meet a deadline or your life is going to be over, is also hard. How do you get over it? You just have to start. Whether your creative outlet is writing, drawing, singing, producing, designing, etc., the first thing you should do is get whatever is in your head on paper.

Now you may be telling yourself “I don’t have nothing to put on paper hence the creative block,” and I’m here to tell you, yes you do! It doesn’t have to be related to the project you’re working on but just put down what your mind is currently thinking of right this minute. You may be surprised on the things that come up and it may even inspire you to take another route. It can also remove any worries or negative thoughts that may be lingering in your head and it can help you have a clearer mind.

Another way to find insight is by trying something new. This can literally be anything you want. Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If you’ve been coming up with the same techniques time and time again to get things rolling, maybe it’s time for a different approach. I would suggest trying something out of your comfort zone or even something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t gone around in doing it. Some ideas can be; trying a new fitness class, writing with your non-dominant hand, taking a walk outside, visiting a new place, or even skydiving. The possibilities are truly endless and up to you, no matter how big or small.

Next, find out what time you work best. Some of us can crank out a project early in the morning, in the afternoon, or probably at 3am when nobody is awake. It’s important to know what parts of the day your mind is mostly active and ready to work. This can help you find a better work flow and may be even easier to stick to a routine. If you know that your mind is flowing with inspiration right after you have breakfast, then make it a habit. Train your mind to understand that at 10am we will be working on this project and it’s time to let your ideas come through. If it works occasionally that is fine too, sometimes it’s best to just step away for a while and then come back to it with a fresh mind. I usually like to put my ideas out there and once the flow stops, I’ll step away and come back to it when I can focus again.

Bonus: Meditate on it! This is for the people who like to meditate or would like to get into it. Meditating is great for letting go and quieting those running thoughts that don’t seem to go away. You can also meditate on the project and see what comes to mind. Whenever I am super frustrated and can’t seem to get nothing out, I’ll meditate on the project and let my mind take me wherever it wants. There is no wrong way to meditate and honestly it saves me every time!