Creative roadblocks are pretty inevitable, especially when you have deadlines or demands for whatever content you are producing. It’s hard to consistently find the inspiration needed to create something worth sharing with the world. This proved true for me this week when my creative rut hit hard as I tried to think of what I wanted to write about. So, I thought why not write about the exact problem I was having? With this in mind, I decided to begin researching and exploring ways to get creative thoughts flowing. Here are some of tasks/tips that may help you the next time you’re struggling to come up with new ideas.
1. Freewriting.
A technique used by writing teachers far and wide, freewriting is the process of consistently writing for a period of time without acknowledging spelling, grammar or a full topic. Normally, what you jot down during a free write will not be of much use to you, but using this technique can help combat self-doubt and can also get your mind thinking in a more productive way to help you focus on what you really need too.
2. Go on an adventure, no matter how small.
Often, we tend to work in the same space, so changing up your surroundings and setting your task aside for a minute to take in a new environment can really help rejuvenate your mind. While it may not sound like much of an adventure, I find that even moving into a different room or heading to a nearby coffee shop can help me gradually pull myself out of a creative rut. A change of environment gives you new visuals and sounds that may spark inspiration.
3. Keep calm.
It’s easy to get a bit worked up when you aren’t making any progress, especially with a deadline in place. So, it’s important to find ways to calm down and refocus. Whether you enjoy taking a relaxing bath, going to the gym or doing some meditation, find the thing that helps you recenter and de-stress in order to allow you to think a bit more clearly.
4. Think about things in a new way.
I often get stuck coming up with continuously similar ideas because my interests only span so far, but there really are so many things in everyday life that could be a new topic worth exploration. Being open to new ideas in new areas that may differ from your typical thought process or interests can unlock a completely fresh perspective and source of inspiration for your creative endeavors.
5. Start small.
When trying to come up with a new idea, don’t be too hard on yourself. Jot down every idea that comes to mind, you never know what it could turn into. Often our small ideas that we quickly shut down could be expanded on or tweaked to land on a really solid concept. Having a list of all your ideas, no matter how successful or unsuccessful they may seem, still leaves you with a nice starting point.
All in all, while creative ruts aren’t the most fun, they are temporary. With some patience and the implementation of tips and tricks like these, before you know it you will be back to producing creations that make you proud.