Have you been feeling burnt out lately? Constantly burning both ends of the stick? I know I have. I've been busy with collaborations and guest posting and organizing my business finances and so much more, but all I really want to be doing is to be creating.
Unfortunately, when I'm working so hard at the other things in my business, I'm not making time for me to slow down and to be truly creative. I know I'm not the only one out there that suffers from lack of creativity due to a never-ending to-do list.
Luckily, I've found some things that work quite well for me when I get stuck in a creative rut, and I'm really excited about sharing them with you.
7 TIPS ON GETTING PAST YOUR CREATIVE BLOCKS
1. UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT'S CAUSING YOUR LACK OF CREATIVITY
Before you can really do anything about getting past your creative block, you really need to understand what it is that's getting in your way of creativity. Are you feeling overworked? Is your to-do list stressing you out? Is there a project you are dreading working on? Figure out what exactly it is that's troubling you.
2. WRITE IT ALL DOWN
Once you have a good handle on what it is that's truly bothering you, write down everything you can about what that is. Why is it bothering you? What can you do about it? Consider checking out "Morning Pages" - it was recommended on another blog post I read, and I can't get enough of this great idea!
For me, my problem is often my to-do list. It seems to be never-ending a lot of times, no matter how many things I check off every day. This can really overwhelm me, but if I take a step back and focus on the getting the most important things done first, I start breathing a little easier. It's also helpful to get all the smaller to-do's done first, and save your energy for the bigger things once you have all of the smaller to-do's no longer hanging over your head.
3. ASSESS WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR TIME & ENERGY
Sometimes, the issue could be where you are spending your time and energy. Do you spend too much time on the computer and no enough time getting your thoughts and ideas out onto paper? Do you waste a lot of time on social media? Do you spend too much time away from your desk, and then come back to a bunch of things you should have been doing instead? Really think about this, and consider tracking where you spend your time.
4. UNPLUG & TAKE A BREAK (HINT: TAKE A NAP OR GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!)
Lack of creativity can often stem from lack of sleep. If you feel that that's the problem, take a nap! But not too long of one, as that can often lead to grogginess and even less creativity (and productivity) for the rest of the day.
Getting some fresh air is also an option. I really like taking a walk mid-afternoon to clear my head and take in the beautiful nature and sounds in my neighborhood. This sometimes leads to a really great idea, which I will log in my phone really quick, and then enjoy the rest of my walk (not using my phone).
5. LISTEN TO MUSIC
When I'm feeling stressed, I really enjoy listening to some soft, slow and relaxing music. It really calms me down and brings me to a peaceful place in my head. If I'm feeling a little down, I like to listen to more upbeat music that's fun and inspiring. Sometimes, the lyrics in these upbeat songs will inspire some really great work :)
6. TALK TO SOMEONE
It's very important that you have someone you can go to talk talk things through with. Often times, the person (or people) you talk to can provide a fresh perspective and help you see the problem from another person's eyes. This can often bring new inspiration and clarity into what you're working on.
7. TRY SOMETHING NEW
When you are constantly working on the same kind of artistic work day after day, you will definitely hit a wall where you feel uninspired. Consider trying something new! What is something you've always wanted to do? Photography? Painting? Learn another language? Go skydiving? Do it! I guarantee it will inspire you in more ways than one, and your work will definitely benefit from your new endeavours.
I hope you've enjoyed my tips! I've included a free printable workbook for you to help you work through what is causing your own lack of creativity. Just click the "Download Now!" button below!
How are these tips helping you? Know of any tips I should've included in this post? What is something new you're going to try after reading this post? I'd love to know your thoughts, so let me know in the comments below! :)