7 ways to get your creative mojo back

Cover image by Davide Bonazzi

You’re in a creative rut. Nothing’s working and you’ve hit the wall. Deadlines are fast approaching, and your stress levels are rising.

Relax… we’ve all been there. Even the world’s greatest artists and designers go through periods of creative burnout. It’s impossible to be at your imaginative peak 24/7, 365 days of the year.

So what do you do when the creative well has run dry?

Here’s 7 great tips to help you push through those periods when you’re uninspired and need to break through a block and get your creative juices flowing.

1. Just do it

This one may seem obvious, but just showing up and beginning the process is often the most important step.

Just being in your studio helps. Either just start doodling on a blank sheet, or look through sketchbooks or magazines; the process of starting is quite often enough to spark an idea or stimulate your mind.

2. Take some photographs

Grab your camera or your phone, and start snapping. If you can, get outside and look at the world from a fresh perspective.

The key here is to just start taking photos – of anything. You’ll never know what you’ll see, especially through a lens which gives a fresh perspective and point of view.

3. Check out visual references

Looking at other creative work is often the best way to get inspired quickly.

Pinterest is a treasure trove of ideas and visual references, and we know a website that’s full of inspiration 🙂

4. Go back to your old ideas

All designers have concepts that don’t get used. Whether they were ideas that were never finished, concepts that weren’t right for the problem at the time or maybe rejected by the client, even though they had aspects that were really strong.

Revisiting old concepts can help in multiple ways; it can spur on new ideas through looking at something afresh, or perhaps that idea that wasn’t quite right in the past has an aspect that’s perfect for the problem you are trying to solve now.

Re-looking at your old ideas can give you a fresh perspective and insight into thinking about creatively solving problems.

5. Exercise

It’s no secret the benefits exercise brings to your body, and in particular your mind.

Get away from the studio and exercise – even if it’s taking a short walk to free your mind and get your endorphins working.

Sometimes getting outside or changing your environment is all you’ll need.

6. Immerse yourself in different types of creative work

Reading a book or listening to music are perfect ways of relaxing and experiencing different art forms that can inspire. If you’re a designer, you can also visit an art gallery or pick up an art book.

7. Take a nap

Sometimes you just need to switch off and completely recharge your body and mind. Having a nice sleep is the best way to do this and allows you to start fresh later.