How to Get out of a Creative Gutter
Sometimes our creativity dries up and we need something to re-inspire us.
At times our creativity can take a plunge. that it seems the more you go looking for it, the harder it is to grasp. Worried that you have lost your spark or passion? Don’t worry, this won’t last forever. You are just in the midst of a creative rut, it happens to all of us.
In this past year I felt that I was in a creative rut, searching for new concepts, new ideas and solutions and the more I looked for inspiration and the more I searched the harder it was to find. So I decided to give me self time off painting and clear my mind on what really sparks my interests and what I am really inspired by.
Cleanse and declutter your Space
I think one of the biggest effects on me is having a clean and organized studio. It is is a great feeling, and also an element of therapy in the actual process of purging all the junk you’re not using.
GET IT DONE! Take the time to have purge of your creative space. – Toss, donate or give away anything you don’t need and organize your items for easy use.
Look inside yourself for Inspiration
We all look to outside sources for inspiration, like Pinterest, google, other artists, etc. which are all a great but when we focus on what other people are doing, it’s easy to become narrow in our focus and then, possibly, feel like we’re just seeing the same thing over and over again and thinking we need to change what we are doing. Which can cause the creative rut! One way I’ve been able to get out of this feeling has been to look inside for inspiration – looking at the previous works I have created, courses I have taken that have inspired me, what is going on in my own life that impacts me.
LOOK INSIDE: Take time to browse old works of yours and what is really impacting you right now.
Create Something for Yourself
If your career is something that is creative, awesome that you get to do what you love everyday, but you’re constantly needing to create for others. Sometimes you need to find the time to create something just for yourself, not something that’s for a client. It’s about finding an outlet for your creativity that is separate from your business.
FOR YOU: This week, do one creative thing just for you – take a pottery class, take a yoga class, learn to dance, take a music lesson.
Disconnect
We are constantly exposed to so many things at all times, chances are your creative brain is working at all times because of what you see. Taking a bit of time off social media and finding some green space will clear your mind. Chances are you’ll probably have your best idea when you’re disconnected.
TAKE TIME: Disconnect for however long your buys life allows. It could be through medication, reading a good book, going for a walk, whatever floats you boat!