10 Ways to overcome Creative Block
Sometimes no matter what I did with my painting, it just didn’t look like how I pictured it in my head. I couldn’t get past this block and couldn’t continue with my painting until I found an answer—so I looked online for answers instead. What are some ways to overcome creative block? After doing some research and talking with other artists and writers, here’s what I learned:
1. Step away from your creative project.
If you’re feeling stuck and frustrated, take a step back and give your brain some time to relax. When you get into the rut of working on the same project all day, every day, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. Take breaks: watch a movie or go for a walk; do something else entirely. You can always try something new if your current routine isn’t working out like it should be doing. Also taking a step back gives you a fresh perspective. Try it!
2. Free yourself from distractions.
- Turn off all notifications.
- Lock your phone (You don’t need to check it every five minutes, and if you do, put on airplane mode so you can’t go online in the middle of your work!)
- Don’t check social media (unless you’re using it for research).
- Don’t watch TV or listen to music during this time—it will crowd out whatever’s going through your head and make it harder for new ideas that is coming through. Sometimes silence is the best.
3. Get some fresh air and exercise.
If you’re feeling discouraged and have lost the motivation to work on your creative projects, it might be time for a quick pick-me-up. Getting some fresh air and exercising is one of the best ways to feel more energized and clear-headed. Not only can exercise help you fall asleep faster at night, but also it’s been shown to boost confidence by increasing positive moods.
4. Work on another project or task.
You might find that working on a different project, task or even another part of the same project can help you get out of your creative block. It’s possible to become so focused on one thing that you lose perspective and get stuck in a rut. This can lead to frustration, which only amplifies the problem.
- Try working on a different aspect of your current project. For example, if painting is proving difficult, try doing research instead or making sketches for an illustration.
- If there’s something else in life that’s occupying your attention at the moment (such as studying for an exam), try switching focus onto it instead and letting go of thoughts about your creative venture until later when you’re feeling better equipped to deal with them again.
- Consider using another medium entirely: if painting isn’t working out for you today then perhaps crafting would be more suited?
5. Spend time with friends and family.
It’s a good idea to spend time with people who are creative and supportive. If you can, find friends or family members who can help you get unstuck by giving feedback on your work. They also might have some ideas of their own that can inspire new directions in your creative journey!
6. Take a social media break.
There’s a reason we have the expression “social media addiction.” We’ve all been there, scrolling through Instagram and feeling guilty for not using our phones more productively. But social media can be a good thing: it gives us an opportunity to connect with people across the globe, share content that inspires us and learn new things. It’s also important to take breaks from it—a great way is by disconnecting yourself from your phone entirely in order to focus on whatever task you need to accomplish.
A social media detox once every month can help! Just don’t play around with screentimes, most often you will go back to the app in no time. Uninstall the app all together. U can get it back in no time when you feel less overwhelmed.
7. Get Organized
This is my favourite! Sometimes the best way to get back on track is to clean up your workspace and get rid of the clutter. If you’re working with art supplies, clear out the items that you don’t need anymore or haven’t used in a while. Organize your supplies in such a way that you can reach out to the most used supplies without much hassle. You can also try some cute diys to make your space lively and colorful.
You might even want to look into organizing your house or doing other chores that will help declutter your mind and allow yourself some time away from whatever project is causing you trouble.
Organize your computer files as well – if there’s anything related to your project sitting around in an unorganized folder somewhere, now would be a great time for some file purging! It may seem like it’ll take longer than needed at first (and maybe it will), but once everything is organized properly, searching for what you need will be far easier than before when things were scattered all over the place.
8. Do something that relaxes you.
Yes, art is therapy to most of us and you might wonder what other way to relax? But an art block will make us feel otherwise.. so make sure you are taking some time to relax, it will help you get back into the groove again!
Here are some ways:
- Take a bath or shower.
- Read a book for pleasure (instead of for research).
- Listen to music that calms and inspires you!
- Take a walk outside in nature (if it’s nice!)—or go inside somewhere like your local library.
- Eat your comfort food and chill.
- Go out on date night with someone who makes you feel good about yourself.
- If nothing works then atleast take a nap!
9. Remember that creative block happens to everyone.
Everyone goes through creative block. Even the most successful artists have experienced creative blocks, and they’ve found a way to overcome them. We all have different ways of dealing with it though, so remember that it’s okay if yours isn’t the same as someone else’s. Just acknowledging this fact will put you in a better place. Let’s see the brighter side, atleast you are not alone.😊
10. Creativity can be stifled, but there are many ways to get it flowing again!
Creativity is a skill that you have. It’s not something you either have or don’t have. The more you practice using it, the better at it you become. And creativity is something that is always developing and changing—it’s never stagnant or finished. Like anything else in life, practicing your creative skills will help make them stronger over time. You just need to know how to overcome creative block and to get back up after falling victim to it.
When people talk about overcoming creative block, they usually mean “how do I start creating again?” But another way to look at this problem is by asking: How do I keep creating after my first burst of inspiration has died down?
We’ve all been there—what seems like an insurmountable block can feel like a never-ending spiral. But don’t lose hope! As you can see, there are many different solutions to creative block that can help get your brain back on track. And if all else fails, remember to take care of yourself first before focusing on your project again. With these tips and tricks in mind, I hope that you’ll find your creative groove again soon!