Breaking Through Creative Blocks
What do you think of when you hear the word “creativity”? Do you think of painting? Fashion? Sculpting? Writing? Music? Graphic design? Cake decorating?
Maybe your first thought when you hear the word “creativity” is that you aren’t a creative person.
Typically creativity is associated with producing something visual and tangible. Something beautiful for us to admire or to make us think. And while creativity is all of those things, it’s also things like problem solving, putting together an organization system, or planning a workshop.
Creativity is the use of imagination and original ideas to make or otherwise bring into existence something new. We are all creative. And we can all experience creative blocks.
What does it feel like to hit a creative block?
👉 When it feels like none of your thoughts are flowing and your brain is blank, you may be experiencing a creative block.
👉 When you can’t seem to focus or get in “the zone”, you may be experiencing a creative block.
👉 When you aren’t happy with any of your work, and getting it done is taking you twice the time that it normally would, you may be experiencing a creative block.
👉 When the excitement for your creative expression feels dull and muted, you may be experiencing a creative block.
With all of the amazing benefits of utilizing your creativity such as increasing your self-esteem, easing stress and anxiety, and improving cognitive function, it can feel extremely frustrating when confronted with a creative block.
So how do you overcome these creative blocks?
Here are 5 methods that you can try…
1. A digital detox.
Social media is full of creativity, which is great! But it’s also a space where you can get caught up in comparison, and comparison kills creativity. On top of that, it’s all too easy to start mindlessly scrolling and lose hours of your valuable time on social media. Take a 24-hour break and see how you feel afterwards! You can do more or less time based on your needs.
2. Let go of perfection.
Perfection can be paralyzing and stop you from making any progress towards your goals. If the fear of failure or your work not being good enough is stopping you from being creative, set aside time for imperfect creativity. Make the goal of what you’re doing be that it isn’t great, and remember that no one has to see whatever you come up with!
3. Clear your mind.
Stress, anxiety, and the challenges of everyday life can take up a lot of space in our minds, leaving little room for much else, including creativity. When your mental and/or emotional health is low, it’s extremely challenging for our brains to prioritize anything other than survival. You can process your emotions, regulate your nervous system, and clear your mind by speaking with a therapist, journaling, crying, or breathwork.
4. Get social!
Sometimes our mind becomes its own echo chamber, and we struggle to see things in new or different ways. A great way to overcome this is by brainstorming with fellow creatives! Talking through your creative blocks, discussing projects and goals, and listening to the experiences of others can really blow open the doors of your mind and get the creative juices flowing again.
5. Understand why you’re experiencing a creative block
If you can’t get yourself out of the creative slump that you’re in, take some time to really investigate why it’s happening. Are you distracted with something else? Do you need some space? Are you needing more structure in your creative process? Find out what you need and move forward.
Being able to express yourself through creativity or use your imagination to problem solve is one of the greatest gifts of being human. Don’t let creative blocks hold you back from all of the pleasures and positives of creativity, but remember that it’s okay to take a step back and give yourself a break sometimes.
Whether you’re drawing a picture or organizing your kitchen cupboards, you can use creativity to your advantage to make life more beautiful, efficient, and meaningful.
