Finding Creativity When You Feel Stuck

Have you ever had the feeling of just being stuck? No matter how hard you try there is just no creativity coming out of you? Trust me, I have been there.

As a Graphic Designer, it feels like I have to be creative on a moment’s notice. Sometimes the ideas just pop into my head and I barely have to think about them. But most of the time it feels like forever before I come up with something good. It doesn’t help that I suffer from anxiety and any creatives worst nemesis: perfectionism.

For me, the anxiety of having every project be perfect is so overwhelming that it blocks any creativity that I have. I definitely experienced this when trying to write this blog post. I spent the whole week staring at a blank computer screen. I felt like this post had to be perfect I couldn’t settle for any less. Then after a few panic attacks and the inability to form an idea, I decided to just write down what I was feeling. That’s how this post was formed.

During this process, I found the best way for me to conquer creative block is to force myself to start. I didn’t allow myself to worry about the final product or what other people will think. I just started typing onto that blank computer screen and soon this post was created.

Tips on how to be more creative:

1. Write down everything that is going through your head 
   
   This trick tends to help me when I’m starting to feel anxious. Sometimes there are so many thoughts going through my head that it’s hard for me to keep up. When this happens, it’s best to write down everything that you are thinking. And I mean everything. List any ideas you have (no matter how bad they are), what you are feeling, what you plan on eating for dinner, or what that cute boy across the street is doing. Writing down your thoughts is the best way to clear your mind. And you never know, one of those random thoughts might lead to a good idea.  


2.  Go for a walk 
   
   According to a study from Stanford, creative thinking improves while you are walking. It doesn’t matter where you walk, just getting up from your chair and moving your legs helps you boost your creativity. So, what are you waiting for? Get up and go! 


3. Let yourself be bored 
   
   Being bored may feel like an unpleasant experience, however, Telegraph claims that it is beneficial for creativity. The article states that when you are bored you allow your brain to wonder and come up with more ideas. So, next time you are feeling bored, don’t pull out your phone, just let your brain wonder and see what ideas pop up.


4.  Just start 
   
   Just starting on a project can seem overwhelming. For me it’s the hardest part of the whole creative process. Sometimes you just have to dive in head first and just start making something. It doesn’t matter if the project turns out completely horrible or the best thing you have ever made. What matters is that you are working on it. Plus, we learn more from failures than from perfection. That horrible project might lead to a great idea later on.