Overcome Creative Blocks and Lack of Inspiration

We all go through times in which we feel uninspired – we can feel like we’re not developing our skills, or perhaps unique ideas just aren’t coming as easily as they used to. It can be frustrating, and some people can give up their craft altogether; feeling that they’ve reached the limit of their creative ability. Fortunately, creative blocks are just temporary - you just have to know how to get around them.

First, take a break, and get involved without another activity. We may feel creatively tapped out, and maybe we are temporarily. If we have already expressed our thoughts and poured a lot of creative talent into past projects, then you may need time to fill yourself up with creative thoughts again through new life experiences.

Inspiration is found by living while paying attention. Getting out in nature, participating in new activities, and socializing is a great way to find interesting things to create about. Inspiration can come even from new insight or giving thought to the commonly overlooked things in life. The song, Eleanor Rigby, by the Beatles, is a great example of creative insight – which utilizes beauty, mystery, and genius found in the mundane aspects of everyday life.

Try a different creative outlet. When playing music and writing songs, I often change instruments. I love the electric, acoustic, and the bass guitar - each one has it’s own unique feel and creative method of expression. Some songs on the electric just don’t sound good on the acoustic – it’s nice to know that I can express myself depending on how I feel with a variety of creative outlets.

Even if you don’t know anything about another instrument of kind of art, just try it. Even drawing – it’s cheap to buy a notebook, a pencil, and eraser. Even if what you create looks like crap, it helps to get new creative juices flowing, and you will always improve over time if you choose to be patient. Every great artist began for the first time at some point – it likely wasn’t a “beautiful” piece of art, but it was a success because they tried something new.

With photography, I can always use different lenses, try new locations, and meet with new subjects to photograph. If I feel I need some improvement, then I can check out what other people are doing online. However, I do this sparingly, as I like to keep my unique style and not let the influence of others change my own unique creation process.

Create something unique to your personality. Try something new - even if it looks “bad” at first. Be patient and you will grow. Learn what you need to know to get the basics down – then experiment as much as you can on your own to achieve your own style~