10 Ways to Rekindle Your Creative Spark

It’s time to get out of that creative rut!

If you are anything like me, and I think most creative types are, you’ll sometimes feel as though “The Spark” is gone from your work. You lack inspiration and you just sit there for hours trying desperately to come up with something to present to the client. I can’t tell you how often that happens… but it’s totally normal. It happens to everyone and you can’t expect to have a good day everyday. You’re not a machine that can consistently churn out top notch work. With that being said, if you’re having more of these days than productive days,…it’s probably time you make a change, dust yourself off and tend to your “spark”.

Creativity is very much dependent on imagination, and your imagination is limitless (that’s what they always tell us)… but I would like to argue that it’s like a plant. A plant can only grow if it receives the right nutrients, water and tender care that it needs to flourish and bloom into a beautiful flower. Similarly, If you take time to feed your imagination it will grow and develop and you’ll start to find ideas and inspiration in the strangest of places.

HERE ARE 10 WAYS TO REKINDLE YOUR CREATIVE SPARK AND FEED YOUR IMAGINATION.

 1. Explore Something New & Unknown

Humans are creatures of habit. We create routines for ourselves that help us in our daily lives, but habits and routines are one of creativity’s MAJOR buzz kills. To break that routine, go out and do something you have never done before. New and unknown places and experiences help to increase the mind’s frame of reference, and expand the things that the mind can imagine. Go for a walk in the forest, try a new recipe, travel to a place you’ve never been before, be a dare-devil, take your camera and photograph things in unusual ways. There are endless possibilities of new things to do, just go out and do it! We stick to the things that we like and know, but it’s the unknown, unique and unusual that stimulates the imagination.

2. Take a Trip to A Museum

Museums are great sources of inspiration and ideas. I especially love them because they are so quiet and offer a great place to be alone with your thoughts as you wonder the halls and contemplate the art, science and biology. They also provide a great place to see the thinking and techniques other artists employ in the creation of their works. So, net time you need some alone time… Take a trip to a museum, you won’t come home without some inspiration.

3. Keep an Inspiration Box or Visual Journal.

It’s amazing how often I find really phenomenal work that inspires me. It’s important that when you find inspiration like this, you keep it somewhere where you can easily look back at it for reference and ideas. Create a box or a journal where you can keep all the articles, pictures, quotes and whatever else you feel an affinity to. Make notes on what you like about the clipping. Write down any ideas or thoughts that it might inspire, and document any other relevant information associated with it. When you hit your next creative block… go back to your box or journal, look through it and

4. Constrain yourself.

Challenge your abilities and stretch your creative muscles. Give yourself some limitations! If you are a designer, try creating a logo from only circles. Perhaps you are a fine artist…then limit the amount of colors you are allowed to use. Place yourself on a time restriction. Just try new ways of working that you haven’t necessarily considered before. Restrictions are a great way to calm your mind, focus your attention and develop your skills.

5. Do a “Mini-Challenge”

There are many online forums and communities that run daily, weekly or monthly challenges for their members. Many of these are free and just for fun, but they are great for helping you develop your skills and unleashing the power of your imagination. They are also a great resource if you are trying to get feedback and hone your creative instincts. Plus, should you win, you’ll get a bit of a confidence boost which is always a nice bit of encouragement for any artist…but even if you don’t, it’s really amazing practice.

6. Read a New Book

Escape to a land of wonder with a new book. Sometime’s books & stories can take you where pictures cant. Deep into the realm of imagination. This is where great new ideas can be unlocked. Let the story guide you into a new world and take that experience and use it as inspiration to create something new. Perhaps it’s a place in the story that really inspires you…then draw it. Maybe the character appeals to you, visualize him/her. What clothing are they wearing? How does the fabric move? The possibilities are virtually limitless.

7. Listen to Music

Whenever I work, I always listen to music that feeds my creativity. I have often found that different genres of music help me produce different styles in my work. For instance, if I have to work on something more formal, I might listen to classical piano. I have also noticed that the tempo of the music has a great effect on the speed at which I work.

Find a genre of music that matches the style of what you are trying to achieve and play it while you work. Close your eyes and let the music inspire you. Music has a very powerful connection to art and humanity. It can influence mood and demeanor. This is a really great little trick I use whenever I feel stuck in a rut.

8. Take a Class

When I say take a class, I don’t mean an online class. Go out and find a class in your community. Go and try something that you’ve always wanted to try but never had the time or confidence to do. It’s important that you go into the class with no expectations or preconceived ideas. Simply go and have fun. Open up your mind and be open to the instructor and fellow students’ suggestions, opinions and criticism. They might see things in a different light than what you usually would. A fresh pair of eyes always helps.

9. Take Care of Yourself.

This may sound like an obvious one, but it is so important that you take of your mind and body. Overworking yourself is counterproductive to creativity. You need to make sure that you get enough sleep but also that you stimulate your mind with other things that make you happy. The saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, is very relevant when it comes to being creative. You need to take time away from work to nourish your soul and replenish your imagination.

10. Believe That you Can & Just Get Started.

For many of us, fear of failure and the opinions of others hinder us when we set out to be creative. It’s that inherent fear of failure that keeps many of us from even starting. That is a mistake! Never let the fear of failure get you down. You can do this! All you need to do is dig deep within yourself and overcome the fear. Believe in yourself and your abilities and just get started. Once you get going, you will find that creative ideas will follow. That’s half the battle won!

 "GENIUS IS ONE PERCENT INSPIRATION, NINETY-NINE PERCENT PERSPIRATION" – THOMAS EDISON

Just Keep at it! You'll get there.