No matter what field you are in or the talents you possess, there will always be days where the flow of ideas stops cold. Don’t panic. Everyone has been in your shoes at some point and found their way back. Keep in mind that some days the inspiration will not come – and that is okay. We are humans, not machines, and taking a day off now and then is totally acceptable.
If it’s been a few days, though, and you are still stuck, you came to the right place. Clear your mind, take some deep breaths, and get your mojo back.
Clean Up and Declutter
Nothing kills inspiration like a cramped and messy workspace. Sure, it may seem like a minor issue at the moment but think of your surroundings as a reflection of your state of mind. Would you rather have a clear head or a chaotic zoo of miscellaneous thoughts? Get up, and get cleaning.
Clear out any trash or random items – yes, that includes the collection of cups you keep forgetting to remove. Organize the scattered sheets of paper and notepads, and stow away the unnecessary art supplies. Inch by inch, you will start to feel a weight being lifted, and just like clearing a dam, the inspiration will flow like water.
Take Breaks
If the sheer volume of the task is overwhelming, it could be beneficial to divide it into segments and take small breaks in between. Sometimes our minds can become fogged by stress, leaving little room for innovation. Alleviating the pressure, or at least reducing it, will allow the ideas to peak through. Mindlessly staring at your project for hours will do nothing for your productivity.
The breaks could be as simple as having a snack or taking a short walk. Even finishing that Netflix episode that has been on your mind can do wonders for your inspiration. Keep them short to avoid the dreaded temptation of procrastination, and once the project builds some momentum it will become exciting instead of exhausting.
Revise Old Work
If you can’t think of any new ideas, maybe take a second look at some old ones. Fish out last year’s sketchbook or find those discarded outlines. Look over the vetoed drafts and see if there is anything salvageable or worthy of revision. After some space from the project, a fresh perspective can lead to revelation. That old idea came from a moment of inspiration, so maybe it can spark it again.
Go Outside
A change of scenery can be just the thing to inspire a blocked mind. Being surrounded by nature is both peaceful and invigorating, which is the perfect cocktail for creativity. In the past couple of years, we have grown accustomed to being cooped up indoors, but staying inside for too long can take a toll on our motivation and mental health.
Take a trip to your local park and have a picnic or simply walk on a trail. Allow yourself to feel the cool breeze and warm sunlight on your skin. Listen to the birds and observe the beauty surrounding you. A few minutes outside can rejuvenate you and help focus your mind on the task ahead.
Create a Vision Board
It could be a collection of images used as references for your next art piece or to establish the tone and theme of your new novel. Vision boards are meant to outline the core elements of a creative project and establish a clearer image of the final product. If you need guidance for the bigger picture, they can be handy tools for setting goals and building direction.
All it takes is a little time researching pictures, articles and quotes that piece together the overall plan. There are helpful resources like Pinterest that do most of the hard work for you and provide photos and links similar to ones you have already saved. Then they organize the pins based on their common theme and lay them out for you to observe freely.
Make Mistakes
Be honest, is it a lack of inspiration stopping you, or are you afraid to fail? Don’t take yourself so seriously because it is all part of the process. Sometimes the best way to ignite the creative juices is to sit down and just get started – even if the first few drafts are garbage. The beauty of art is the freedom to make mistakes and call them happy accidents. Use the opportunity to push your comfort zone and try something new.
After getting past the trial and error, you start to pick up on the parts that actually worked. Before you know it, ideas flood your mind as you improve on the last few attempts. There is no science to finding inspiration, but sometimes all it takes is a little push.
No Comments