5 Ways to Get Over A Creative Block When You Feel Uninspired
Creative blocks are one of the biggest mosquito bites in the world of an artist. When we have felt the beauty of being in the flow state, it seems like we will do anything to access that again. That being said, it is all too common to get stuck. Many things can cause this; burnout, too much phone time, unprocessed trauma, the 10,000 degree heat in the Texas summer, etc. Whatever it may be, there are ways to get the creativity moving like a healthy vibrant river once again. As with many of the challenges that bring us to therapy, you must find the ways that work for you to dig out of the creative black hole. As a musician and business owner, I know the chase of the elusive organism of creativity when I’ve been feeling unmotivated. Here are some ways I have crawled my way out of the stuckness and gotten back to the flow.
Write to Unleash Your Creativity
This suggestion is influenced by Julia Cameron’s book, Artist’s Way. She suggests starting the day with “morning pages,” 3 pages of hand writing from the pure stream-of-consciousness from your mind. This helps to “clear out the cobwebs” and to get the words flowing. Whether you are a writer, a painter, a dancer or a musician, etc., this process is helpful for us all. The writing down of our thoughts in this way tends to extract what we don’t need, and draw out any hidden inspiration we can’t seem to locate. If nothing else, we will have the satisfaction of creating 3 pages of original art, as nonsensical as it may be. Cameron suggests doing this practice each morning when you wake.
Strike a POWER POSE to Move Stuck Energy Through The Body
Amy Cuddy, author of the book, “Presence” has studied the ways that postures can affect our stage presence or confidence in other social situations. She has found that constriction of the body, i.e. shoulders slumped, avoiding eye contact, arms crossed, communicates powerlessness and nervousness, making others perceive you as less confident, or, “less powerful.” Postures that create openness in the body, i.e. shoulders back, chest forward, gaze up, show confidence and strength and “power.” When we strike a pose that creates openness in the body, confidence grows, and the depression or “blah” feelings that relate to creative slumps tend to unwork themselves.
Go Experience Other Art! Creativity Attracts More Creativity
Sometimes when we are feeling blocked from our creative flow, it helps to see a different form of art in action. The comparison trap we can fall into when we see art similar to our own medium is less likely to rear it’s head, and it’s refreshing to see and feel the vibrancy of creative play in another form. If you are a musician, go to an art gallery. A writer? Go see some improv comedy. If you dance to express yourself, go help your friend work in their garden.
Spend Time Outside Without Your Phone
Free up space in your brain and find inspiration from the trees, the sky, the breeze! When we take away the constant stimulation of the multitudes of apps and notifications, our brain is free to roam. Be bored. Stare at some trees. When left alone with our thoughts in the natural world, golden ideas, thoughts, and feelings rise to the surface of our consciousness, waiting to be alchemized into art.
Rest and Connect
Go be with your people. Spend time with the friends/family that make you feel seen, heard and known. Often, a lack of motivation comes from burnout or loneliness, and we need human connection to bring ourselves through it. Talk about how it feels to be stuck. Let your emotions move and be held. Your time with your loved ones should be unstructured and centered around play and nurturing. When we take the pressure off ourselves, the fluid nature of our art reveals itself.
Unleashing stuck creativity in its various forms is my life's passion and work, and I would be honored to help you through the unblocking process. Visit my Anxiety Therapy page to find out more about working with various forms of performance/social anxiety to reach your truest voice.