My fellow creatives, I’m here to address and provide solutions to one of the not-so-fun realities of our professions: creative ruts. That unwanted pal named Writer’s Block. That season of ho-hum designing, passionless painting or questioning if we’re actually meant to be makers. Troughs in the creative industry are inevitable no matter the endeavor, so take heart. You’re not alone. We’ve all been there. So, what do you do in the midst of the creative valleys? How do you surface when you feel that everything you make or write seems to suck?
From simple changes to everyday tasks, here are eight tips for unlocking your creativity and getting yourself out of that rut.
- Change of scenery
Mignonne Gavigan, a jewelry designer from NYC who was featured in the February issue of Real Simple, said, “Leaving the office and using my brain in a different way frees up room for new ideas.” I couldn’t agree more. Whether it’s working from a coffee shop down the street, my living room or somewhere in the mountains, I’ve found that removing myself from the usual elements can stir up a refreshing flow of creativity.
- Cook it up (and plate it like a pro)
Some seasons of work are more drab than others, so why not add a splash of color to something you do every night: eat dinner. Colorful, routine-breaking ingredients transform into a workable medium as you unleash your inner maker behind the skillet. The New York Times and Bon Appétit are two places I often look for quick, unique meals that feed my cravings and my creative spirit. Oh, and be sure to style your plate in a way that would make Bobby Flay proud (and snap a photo for your Insta before chowing down).
- Good convos with good people
Your mom. Your BFF. People that care about you and build you up. A simple five minutes on the phone (yes, an actual phone call… or FaceTime) with these people have inspired some of my very best ideas. There’s something about being fully known that frees us to fully be ourselves, so pick up the phone and take the first step to creative refreshment. Full heart and brain included.
- WYSIWYM
What you see is what you… MAKE! What you read and what floods your vision every day either helps or hinders your capacity to create. Frequent trips to your favorite art galleries, a flip through a well-designed magazine, reading an expert’s blog post or even a simple walk through a beautifully landscaped park are all simple things we can do to feed our inspiration tanks with good fuel.
- Artist checkup
We carve out time for the gym and biannual trips to the dentist, so why not tend to our creative health, too? Two options: if you feel like flying solo, set time and space aside every so often to pull out your paints and pens from your undergrad days and let them fly! More of a people person? Check out classes at an art gallery or local university where others are also pursuing the health of their craft. And remember: don’t worry about messing up or not executing what you have in your head. After all, that’s kinda the point… to get out of your head and simply MAKE.
- Get outta Dodge
Being from Kansas, this advice is especially relevant. Most companies generously give employees two to three weeks of vacation every year, so take advantage of them and go somewhere that you find visually stimulating. When I’m traveling, I want to get near water and hit up the BEST art gallery in town. Taking in the greatness of these two places puts wind in my creative sails.
- Sleep on it
As Americans, we often view sleep as another S-word expletive. However you view it, the truth is that sleep actually HELPS you be more creative when you wake up. According to an article published in Psychology Today, your brain makes more far-reaching connections when you dream in REM. While your eyes are closed, these neuro-connections are getting their workout on, thus when you wake, your brain is conditioned to bust past those roadblocks upstairs and conjure up new ideas. I’m sure the man dressed up as a hotdog I dreamt about earlier this week will have some significance in my future creative work. Yeah, my unconscious went there. So creatives, work hard. Play hard. And be sure to get some sleep in between so you can continue creating like a boss.
- RELAX
Take a deep breath. Remember that all ruts, creative, life and the like, have an expiration date. They will come and they will pass. As you ride out the storm, go ahead and give one of these tips a try. There’s nothing to lose and a world of ideas to gain.
If you or your brand are stuck, don’t panic. Bonfire5 is here to help. Drop us a line at info@bonfire5.com and let us start lifting your brand up and out.
