Cre.a.ti.ve – blo.ck
Noun
Refers to a state of being unable to access or generate creative ideas or produce artistic work. It can be characterized by a sense of mental and emotional stagnation, where the artist struggles to initiate or complete projects, experiences a lack of motivation, and feels a general sense of creative paralysis.
Creativity is a powerful force that drives innovation, problem-solving, and success in all areas of life.
As creatives, we are constantly solving complex problems in practical ways. Yet, we struggle to apply these methods to our internal processes. It doesn’t have to be this way. In today’s newsletter, we’ve got some simple tips and some not so simple ones from creatives to help you get out of your block and start flowing. Let’s go? Have a good reading.
1 – Recognise the Situation
The first step is acceptance. Everyone has been through this, and if not, you definitely will be. Look deep into your creative block’s eyes and acknowledge its existence. It won’t go away if you just ignore it (tip from personal experience)
2 – Write, write, and then write some more
List activities or places you’ve always wanted to try or visit but have yet to. Commit to doing at least one of them in the next month. The importance of documenting ideas and observations cannot be overstated when it comes to keeping a sketchbook or idea journal. These creative tools serve as repositories for capturing fleeting thoughts, inspirations, and visual concepts that may arise at any moment.
3 – Surround yourself with people who love challenges and are always asking questions
There’s nothing like clearing your mind by having a constructive conversation with your friends or loved ones. Sometimes the answer to what you’re looking for is right in front of you, but it’s hard to see when you’re completely immersed in the problem. Talk to people, toss some ideas around. We learn a lot when we listen to ourselves. Have you stopped to think about it?
4 – Change Your Environment
If you work from home, how about working from a cute coffee house in town? Or go check out an art museum, maybe work from your grandma’s house (and have some warm cake and a nice conversation as a treat at the end of the day) Getting out of the rut is a good idea when we want to find our muse (our creativity).
5 – Set aside time for a weekly ‘creative date’ with yourself.
This is a special time when you indulge in activities that fill you with joy and inspiration. Visit a quirky bookstore, wander through a historical neighborhood, or sit in a bustling café to people-watch. These experiences can be a goldmine of fresh ideas. They serve as a reminder that inspiration is not just found in grand gestures but often in the simple, everyday moments.
6 – Set out specific times to create.
Setting aside dedicated time for artistic practice is a fundamental aspect of establishing a consistent creative routine. By carving out specific periods solely dedicated to creative pursuits, artists create a structured framework that supports their artistic growth and productivity. Designating specific periods for artistic practice ensures that creativity becomes a regular and integral part of an artist’s life.
7 – Brake!
Taking breaks allows the mind to recharge, relax, and process information, creating space for fresh ideas to emerge.
8 – No more comparisons
Comparison to others and competition are deceptive, self-defeating, and absurd. How do you want to compare your uniqueness to somebody else’s unique nature? You want to be better than whom? Or as good as who?
Some tips from our team:
Fernanda (mouse’s Chief Marketing Officer): “When I’m in a creative block, I try to stop “forcing” myself to think of something and then take a break. I listen to music, watch things I like and that inspire me (which are not necessarily related to the topic my creative block is about). If it’s something relating to copywriting, I try writing down everything that comes to mind, without overthinking, and then editing it calmly. I also research for references, trying to understand what I like about them… I gather a bunch of them, and from that I try to create something new based on what I wrote down.”
Mia (mouse’s CEO and Chief Creative Officer): “I also try to stop what I’m doing and go do something completely different, preferably away from screens! I also enjoy changing my environment, since I always work from home, sometimes I feel like I need to go to a friend’s place, a coffeehouse, my grandma’s house, anywhere else! And then, once I’m back, it’s time to start over. I close all tabs and open new ones.
And sometimes, a nap can be very helpful as well 🤪
Overcoming a creative block is not about forcing inspiration, but nurturing it.
In the words of Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
To help you even more, here are some tips of free courses on creativity from MoMa (they were my salvation during quarantine): https://www.moma.org/teaching/classes
We hope this newsletter finds you well – and see you in the next one – with no creative block 🙂
Here are some articles our team read this week and are worth checking out:
- We’re all obsessed with makeovers.
- Condé Nast, the publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair and GQ, has signed a multi-year partnership with artificial intelligence company OpenAI
- Update your booklist with the best books to read in autumn
References:
https://empathy.co/blog/creative-genius-unlocked-8-tips-to-enhance-your-creative-flow/
https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/beating-creative-block/
https://artsartistsartwork.com/tips-and-tricks-for-beating-creative-block-as-an-artist/
https://www.thepointlessartist.com/post/overcome-artist-block-and-unlock-your-artistic-creativity
https://www.creativeboom.com/tips/how-to-get-over-creative-block-and-thrive-at-work-again/
