Creative block is an invisible foe that drains your inspiration and motivation to compose, draw, and write. It is an obstacle in the way of expressing yourself. In this article, we'll guide you through some tips to overcome creative block!
Take A Break
Seriously. This tip is more common sense, it's backed by science! Professor Barbara Oakley, in her book A Mind For Numbers, explains that we have two ways of thinking: focused and diffused.
We often achieve better results during active concentration. However, that is only true in the short term. If you concentrate for a prolonged time, your performance will decrease dramatically. At this point, the diffused mind should be put to work.
The diffused mind is a passive cognition that addresses tasks in the background (often referred to as the subconscious). Brains rely on more than active thinking, otherwise it would waste a lot of energy. What is most interesting is that diffused mind is still solving the task even if you are not actively concentrating in it.
Have you ever had a dream that showed you a possible solution? Or perhaps you were mindlessly washing dishes, then suddenly an eureka moment popped up? That's the diffused mind at work.
However, you must remember to take a real break; do something unrelated to your task. For instance, try changing to another goal or distracting yourself with a hobby; the important part is to forget your task. In essence, if you don't rest your performance and health will be much, much worse.
Music vs. Creative Block
Immersion is the keyword. Immersing yourself in another world might just put your mind back on track. What's better is that this applies regardless if you're creating fantasy, science fiction, poetry, etc. Music, especially instrumental, can most certainly get you in the mood. How about a gothic mix for your horror story?
But, there's more to this than music. Science author Steven Johnson in, his book Where Good Ideas Come From, argues that the right environment breeds innovation. Well, you might have a hard time getting to a medieval tavern or an intergalactic planet—but there's the second best thing: ambiences.
Ambiences are soundscapes, For instance, Swiss composer Michaël Ghelfi composes a variety of soundscapes, including a café, a crowded tavern, some light rain, and even an alien jungle.
Environment vs. Creative Block
Perhaps you can literally change your environment. If so, having a different place to work on can make a big difference.
Don't search for the perfect place. Most often than not, we just need a bit of change to avoid getting "too comfortable". Get to your local coffee shop, library, or park, or simply rearrange your current room to give off a different vibe. Our environments make a lot of difference in our minds.
Remember that people are part of the environment too. So, form a group of friends to collaborate together on whatever task your own. Perhaps you prefer online, then you can join us on our Discord community. Whatever the method you choose, it is time to get unstuck!
Prioritize your health
Eating healthy and exercising regularly has been shown to improve creativity and mood. Even slight changes in your diet can have a significant impact in your creativity. For instance, avoid alcohol and sugar because they can get in the way of your cognitive and creative thinking.
Furthermore, the same can be applied to exercices. Don't try to do a full-body workout in your local gym if you haven't practice beforehand. Any exercise is better than nothing, you can walk 10 or 20 minutes per day and it will already make a positive impact.
Last, but not certainly not least, is mental health. There seems to be a strong link between meditation and mindfulness with creativity. Reserve 5 or 10 minutes of your day to focus on your surroundings, letting your thoughts come and go without judgement. Notice the sight outdoors, the smell of your food, the heat or the cold, the texture of your clothes. In whatever way you prefer, be present in the moment.
Don't wait for inspiration. Seek it.
This is a very important keypoint, inspiration should be sought.
Visit an art exhibit, especially if you've never done it before. Go to a music show with some friends, even if it is not related to your goal. Gather your family to watch a movie on the theather instead of the everyday couch and streaming. You get the idea, do whatever you believe will kick you out of your routine.
You can also try new creative techniques. For example, if you always paint in a realistic style, try a cartoonish one—even if it sounds uncomfortable. Sometimes, getting out of our comfort zone is exactly what we need. Do you always compose pop songs? Try classical. Do you write on the computer? Handwrite! By experimenting with different mediums and styles, you may find a renewed perspective.
Addittionally, you can always collaborate with others. Creative people don't need to be lonely, even if their craft is meant for a single person. Chat with your friends and family to get ideas ideas bouncing off, getting feedback, or a fresh take on your work.
Conclusion
If you're a writer, check out our article with some writing tips. Hopefully, these tips can help you overcome your creative block. Don't be afraid to take a break when needed or try something new. Now, get creative!
