I like making things. I also like being creative, but also have this very big problem as a creative person who likes to make things. Sometimes, I face a very important deadline and all of a sudden, my creativity goes missing on me. Then the worst thing happens: I can’t make anything anymore because I am very stuck. In those moments, I feel about as creative as a potato and I don’t know what to do anymore. While it may be tempting to stay in that vegetative state (pun intended), it’s always better to at least make an effort in creating something. Luckily, there are a bunch of solutions that can get you out of this rut. Here are some ways you can escape a creative block!
1. Know what’s preventing you from creating
There’s always a beginning behind every problem. It’s often extremely useful to take some steps back and evaluate an issue, especially when it comes to creating anything. The root of a creative block stems from the same place, regardless of the content that you create. Jeff Goins, best-selling author of "The Art of Work," writes that some of the common reasons behind a creative block include timing, fear, and perfectionism. Recognizing the logic behind the lack of creativity will help you fix the problem.
2. Surround yourself with inspiration
You probably hear this on every HGTV show that your mom you watch, but being an inspiring place will also inspire you to work at your best. Recognize what type of work environment you thrive in. Make sure that you consistently work in an area where you feel most comfortable. Being in a place where you know you can get work done will save you an immense amount of time in the end.
If you prefer an even simpler method of inspiration, create a mental list of things that inspire you. Think of the things that make you feel any type of emotion. That also includes things that make you sad or angry. In any case, connecting your feelings to inspiring things will help to make creative blocks non-existent.
3. Experiment with different ideas
Sometimes, you end up having way too many ideas and you’re just overwhelmed by the number of things you want to pursue. If that’s the case, write down all the different ideas you have and connect them later on. If you’re lucky, you may sense a theme in all those thoughts; thus, you have a new idea and something to create content with! If that isn’t the case, try combining certain ideas together to experiment. Some of the most unlikely ideas can work well together, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Don’t be afraid to mix your ideas around!
4. Clear your mind and do something else for now
Unfortunately, not everything will come as easily as listing down different ideas and sitting in a cafe being inspired and doing work. Every creator will experience a very deep block that almost seems impossible. At this point, the only thing to do is to think about something else. While it may seem counterproductive at first to leave behind the problem, doing this even briefly can make a world of a difference. You could return to the issue with a whole new mindset, and finally get over your creative block! Just make sure to keep track of what you’re doing and limit yourself to doing things that won’t completely sidetrack you (if you do, you have a whole new issue called procrastination).
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
For some reason, people are too afraid to ask for help. If you’re one of these people, just remember that asking for someone’s time to answer a couple questions is significantly better than wasting an entire day being completely unproductive. Other people are often willing to offer their ideas to anyone who needs it. It can be surprising how willing people can be to help others. If you do end up using another person’s idea, give them credit where it is needed. It can be very rewarding for that other person to be your inspiration! In the end, it’s creativity will find its way back to you. All you need is a little bit of luck, patience, and some ambition to make something today.
