Creative block solved in 7 steps.

If you are lucky enough to have a profession where you can exercise your creativity, or if you use it as a hobby, one thing is certain: it’s not always there. However, against one may think, creativity is a skill, not a gift, meaning that it can be learned and improved. Sometimes you want (or need) to express something, but it just doesn’t flow. How to overcome it? Luckily I’m feeling creative right now, so here are seven tips on how to get rid of your creative block:

1-Accept it

Instead of focusing on your frustration due to your creative block, it may be gone sooner if you just accept it. You won’t always be at your best, ideas won’t always come as fast as you want them to, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

We are flooded with information daily, and it can be overwhelming. We need time to process all those images, sounds, and texts. And then, maybe, we can turn them into something new.

If creativity is not at its peak now, remember that it’s normal, it will happen sometimes, and it’s okay. This feeling will pass, I promise. Make peace with not being productive all the time. Resting is part of the process.

2-Get moving

The ambiance we are in plays a huge role in our performance. So, it may be a good idea to change it. Try working at a new cafe, outdoors, or at a library. If you can’t escape your office, try moving your table or even your chair. It’s a small thing, but those usually matter most.

If your workspace is a computer, change your background pictures, colors, and maybe even rearrange your desktop. This way, you are presented with something different and will be forced to respond accordingly.

3-Take some time off (not too much, though)

To stop a creative block, that’s exactly what you need to do: stop. Just stop. Take a break. Have a Kit Kat. The world (probably) won’t fall apart if you take a few minutes off. And then what? There are several options: listen to a guided meditation, stretch, watch that video that has been on your waiting list for too long, or have a snack.

What you choose to do once you stop is not the most crucial part. The goal here is to change your focus to something else, so your perspective may have changed when you come back. Stopping is needed, but coming back is crucial. Don’t use that break as an excuse to procrastinate. Planning how long your break will be and sticking to it can help you a lot.

4-Use prompts to get started

Whatever your thing is, drawing, writing, painting, the internet is filled with prompts for your activity. Prompts are a bunch of ideas that can help you get started on something. Don’t think too much about it; just get started on the subject and let it flow, even if it’s not flowing.

Feel free to create something, and let the judgment go. We are not going for our masterpiece here; it’s just an exercise that might help you get on your way to that. It’s a great opportunity to try new things: experiment with your tools, use new ones and do things differently. You will be surprised by the results when you are not expecting any.

My favorite source of prompts is Inktober. This really cool project really gets you thinking (and creating) out of your comfort zone, and the experience is refreshing! Take a list of the past years and get started.

5-Keep a journal

You probably have heard it before, in a TED Talk, blog post, or lecture. And here is once more the opportunity to start. Keeping a journal reduces anxiety and stress and helps you stay creative daily. Ideas flow better if you exercise them daily, and a journal will help you do that. It’s a space to pour your feelings; let it flow. The process is way more important than the results, so try not to judge the outcomes.

There are several kinds of journals: about dreams, food, trips, daily thoughts… Just choose what you would like to express and get started. It’s not necessary to select a theme; it can just be one thing each day, that’s okay. Enjoy your journal time, and add more value to it by experimenting with new colors, materials, subjects, and shapes. So, take that old notebook you’ve never used and begin now. A kick starter prompt suggestion: Express (draw, write, paint, whatever you want) what it would be like to be a color. I dare you.

6-Stimulate your creativity

We are loaded with information all the time, sure. But is valuable, in-depth, fascinating information getting to you? What was the last thing so crazy you’ve heard that you just had to share it? (By the way, I’d love to know, share it with me in the comments).

It’s probably a good idea to review the accounts you follow online, the apps you use, and how you prefer to stay informed. Make sure to get in touch with subjects that matter to you every day. For example, if you’re passionate about cooking, make sure you follow some experts on TikTok, check the culinary section of your favorite newspaper, or listen to a podcast about it.

You need to be in touch with things that inspire you. The more information you have, the more scope you have to turn into something new. Also, be open to receiving further information on different subjects. Stepping out of your comfort zone will also help to stimulate your creativity. Explore new places, read a book written by a foreigner, download DuoLingo and finally start learning Spanish.

7-Have fun

This last step reminds you to enjoy the process, even if you feel stuck in it. Remember that holding on to frustration will not help you overcome it. However you decide to fight your creative block, choose an option that will give you a great time. You don’t even have to paint, but try mixing colors; it is so satisfying to see how they interact. Seek that feeling.

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Overcoming a creative block takes time and effort, but you are more likely to feel better about it if you follow those steps. What advice can you give me to get past a creative block?

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