OVERCOMING CREATIVE BLOCKS: HOW TO GET UNSTUCK
LET'S BE HONEST HERE: SOMETIMES, YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE ART. IT'S NOT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO. IT'S NOT EVEN BECAUSE YOU'RE LAZY OR UNMOTIVATED OR UNINSPIRED.
LET'S BE HONEST HERE: SOMETIMES, YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE ART.
IT'S NOT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO. IT'S NOT EVEN BECAUSE YOU'RE LAZY OR UNMOTIVATED OR UNINSPIRED.
SOMETIMES, THE CREATIVE BLOCK IS JUST THERE. IT'S LIKE A BRICK WALL IN FRONT OF YOU, AND NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY TO PUSH THROUGH IT WITH YOUR WORDS OR YOUR VISION—IT JUST WON'T BUDGE.
Raccoon Point Studios
Creativity is like a muscle: it needs to be worked out and exercised in order to grow.
However, sometimes even the most creative person can find themselves blocked from coming up with new ideas. So what do you do when this happens? How do you overcome the creative block? Read on for a few tips:
SET A SCHEDULE.
Setting a schedule for your creative work is important because it helps you mentally to be more productive. You can do this by setting specific times to work on your projects and sticking with them, even if you're not inspired at first.
Actually, at this point in time, you are probably not enthused to do anything. Getting started is actually the hardest part in my opinion.
Setting a schedule will also help keep you accountable for when you finish things. It puts thoughts and feelings to the side.
If you don't set deadlines or goals, it's easy to fall into the trap of procrastination or just not getting anything done because there are no consequences if nothing gets done! When there are consequences (like missing deadlines), then people push themselves harder.
LEARN FROM OTHERS.
Sometimes collaboration is KEY!
Here’s a cool idea: learn from other people who have been in your shoes, and have found solutions to their creative blocks.
Find these people, talk to them about your creative problems, and ask for advice or even just an encouraging word. Have they overcome similar struggles? How did they do it? Who knows? Maybe they can help you out!
You might also be able to find inspiration by listening to the music of those who inspire you. Kind of brings you back to who inspired you and why you want to do music in the first place.
BECOME A COLLECTOR.
Gather Your Objects of Inspiration!
Collecting things that inspire you is a great place to start if you're looking to overcome creative block. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your collection—don’t limit yourself to just music. You could also include objects that represent the past, present, or future of who you are.
If you have a collection that can be displayed in your home (and don't worry if it's not big enough), put it somewhere where it will catch the eye every day. This way, when you walk into the room and see something beautiful or interesting, it may trigger inspiration for something new!
IGNORE THE CRITICS PART ONE-INCLUDING THAT VOICE IN YOUR HEAD.
It's easy to let your internal monologue get the best of you. It can be a constant internal critique, and it can tell you that things aren't good enough or that they never will be. The worst part is, sometimes this critical voice is right—but not always!
It's also important to remember that the voice in your head can be one of your most valuable resources when it comes to overcoming creative block. Your inner critic may feel like an enemy at times, but it can also serve as an ally if treated correctly. It can tell you that things are very wrong and you need to make a change.
Raccoon Point Studios
IGNORE THE CRITICS PART TWO, JUST DO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO.
Another way of getting out of a creative rut is to stop worrying about what other people are thinking.
Don’t let negative comments get you down, and don’t focus on your mistakes—instead, think of all your successes!
It may also help to remind yourself that no one creates anything perfectly right off the bat—so if something isn't working, don’t be afraid to start over or ask for help.
WRITE CRAP, THEN FIND THE GEMS AND BUILD ON THEM.
It’s a common mistake to think that your first ideas are always going to be the best ones.
The truth is, you don’t need a brilliant idea for every piece of writing you do—you only need one good idea in each piece. So if you have more than one new idea, write them all down and then look at the pieces later and see which one works with what else you have written.
The easiest way to get ideas is just by writing everything down!
Write down anything that comes into your mind, no matter how crazy or unrelated it seems now—there will always be something there worth developing later on when looking through old notes or brainstorming sessions done beforehand; even just things like "write about a purple mountain" may inspire another "Misty Mountain Hop" down the road.
FIND YOUR VOICE AND FOLLOW IT.
If you want to be creative, find your voice and follow it.
Detach yourself from what other people think about your work and focus on doing things that make you happy. Don't worry about what anyone else says about you or the work that you produce.
Focus on creating the best version of yourself in all aspects of life—not just writing but also relationships, health, fitness, and money management—and be grateful for everything in your life that works out positively.
Balance is key my friend!
TAKE A BREAK WHEN IT GETS TOUGH-SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND COME BACK TO IT LATER IF YOU CAN.
Of course, there are times when it's best to just give up and walk away.
If you've been banging your head against a problem for hours, days, or weeks and still haven't gotten anywhere, it might be time to move on.
I know it's hard to admit that you can't figure out an idea that looked so great in your mind at first—but sometimes the only way forward is through failure.
LET IT GO, SOMETIMES INSPIRATION COMES WHEN YOU AREN'T TRYING TO FIND IT!
Letting go is an essential part of the creative process.
You need to be in the right mindset, confident, and open to new ideas. This means that if you are trying too hard or getting frustrated, it will be difficult for inspiration to come through.
Flow is important, and you must be open to receiving it. If you are relaxed and open to new ideas, then inspiration can flow freely from your unconscious mind into consciousness.
You Can Do This!
CONCLUSION
It's important to remember that a creative block can be a good thing. It means your brain is working hard, trying to come up with something new and exciting. You are growing without even realizing it. So don't give up! Keep creating until you find your flow again!
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