Things to do when you don’t feel creative

Creativity.

We all run out of it from time to time.

At least that’s what it feels like.

Just like the energy our bodies need to do stuff, it’s not limitless. 

No matter how creative you are or how creative other people expect you to be, it often goes for a wander.

Sometimes, just as you’re about to sit down to work it’ll cheerfully shout up from the front door ‘just popping out for a bit love!’ and before you’ve had a chance to sprint downstairs and wrestle it back inside, the door’s slammed in your face and off it goes for a merry little stroll.

Great timing as always.

Quite oblivious to your impending deadlines, monthly goals or overall mental wellbeing.

Well, there’s no need to despair. There’s a fairly lengthy list of things you can do to get it back.

To bring your creative engine room back to life.

To get the noggin whirring with fresh, kinetic, brilliant ideas again.

Need some inspiration? Try these.

When you remember how big the world is and how high the sky, the possibilities start to feel a bit more limitless again.

Go for a walk

If your creativity’s gone for a walk you may as well join it.

Some fresh air and a change of scenery does wonders for the brain. When you remember how big the world is and how high the sky, the possibilities start to feel a bit more limitless again.

Because you’re not sitting at a desk surrounded by 4 walls, there’s no quick fix or sudden burst of excitement; just one step in front of another. 

And who knows, you might come across something inspiring.

Read

Maybe this one’s obvious but picking up a paper book or magazine is particularly liberating.

Reading articles online can trigger creativity but the problem is that it’s on the same screen you’ve been staring at for hours already. 

What you find in the pages of a book could be completely unrelated to what you are currently writing but still spark a useful thought. The brain often makes connections without us trying very hard. You’ve just got to give it some food.

Speaking of food…

Eat lunch (without extra stimulation) 

Maybe you do this anyway or maybe it’s a luxury you don’t have access to but a lot of my mealtimes are accompanied by reading or watching or scrolling.

Eating should really be stimulation enough but if I’m eating alone, the desire to fill the space with something else is strong. I want to feel like I’m making the best use of time and multitasking.

But I’m not sure this is as productive as I think it is.

I’ve found that actually, when I sit down to just eat, I give my mind the opportunity to really think.

Rather than piling a load of extra information into my brain I allow the stuff that’s there already to germinate. As I chew, I’m letting the subconscious do its thing. Ideas will often pop up, a bit like those little swirls of colour in Ratatouille when he takes a bite of cheese.

 Follow creative Instagram accounts

Going on Instagram is generally not the most productive thing I could be doing with my time but curating your feed can be beneficial. 

There are gazillions of Instagram accounts out there full of cool, original art, fashion, design, architecture and more. 

Observing the efforts of another person’s creativity is inspiring, whether what you’re looking at is related to what you do or not.

This can spark thoughts of how you could approach a certain task or it will give you a kick up the bum to get stuck into the creative thing you’re doing and stop looking at Instagram.

Go away

Taking a true break or holiday is often difficult for freelancers and self-employed people who are never far from their work (of course at the moment it’s hard for everyone). 

But finding the time to get out of town and see somewhere different is invaluable. Maybe it’s just for a day or a weekend but seeing somewhere other than the usual streets and buildings can really deliver a much-needed burst of creativity.

 As you stir the pot to keep it from sticking, stir up your mind to stop it getting stuck.

Cook

Building a meal and watching it develop is a satisfying creative thing to do that also affords you the opportunity to think about other things.

As you stir the pot to keep it from sticking, stir up your mind to stop it getting stuck.

Make some noise

It doesn’t matter how well you can play an instrument. If you’ve got something to hand, giving a guitar a strum, banging some drums or tinkling the ivories can really loosen up your creativity.

Soon you’ll be stringing together a melody and humming a tune, all the while allowing other ideas to drift to the forefront of your mind.

Talk

Sometimes, when you’re not feeling creative, the last thing you want to do is have a conversation with someone, especially if you’re an introvert. It’s tempting to stay right where you are and keep digging relentlessly for that idea.

But having a chat with someone, is often the best thing you can do. We are limited to our own perspective and often need opening up to new ones.

The conversation doesn’t necessarily even need to be about the thing. I’ve definitely been in conversation and had a thought pop into my mind mid-way through. 

Having said that, trying to maintain concentration on the person you’re talking to, once that thought starts racing through your brain, is quite difficult.

Have a shower

The best ideas really do come in the shower.

You can’t be creative without living. To write about life, draw life or film life you’ve got to experience it.

That is the everyday, mundane, rudimentary life. You’ll be amazed at what you find. 

That’s right… Basically, just do something else

Most of these things share a common theme. There are of course many other things I could have put on this list.

They’re all about doing something different. Stepping away from the computer, canvas, quill and ink {insert creative tool here} and fixing your gaze on something else.

We can’t be creative all the time but I believe creativity is available to us at all times. You’ve just got to give it a chance to thrive.

You also can’t be creative without living. To write about life, draw life or film life you’ve got to experience it.

That is the everyday, mundane, rudimentary life. You’ll be amazed at what you find.