Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward us a small commission – at no extra cost for you.
What do you do when you just can’t get inspired? Being a creative can be both a blessing and a curse. At times it’s a blessing because as a dreamer and a doer, you find inspiration in all the little things around you and deep satisfaction in accomplishing your goals.
It’s a curse because creative people are emotional (or so I’ve been called haha) and because creative people are emotional, they feel things deeper and stronger. Being uninspired can affect your job, your mood, and your life.
Whether you have a job in a creative field or are just creative at heart, your inspiration is bound to dry up and leave you feeling stuck…if it hasn’t happened already!
When no words are coming to the screen as you type, when your camera sits dusty in your closet, or when you feel frustrated at limited progress…
Here are 5 practical tips to help you break out of your rut and feel inspired again!
1. Unplug
The first step is to take a mini-break from social media. Many times social media can be an ugly comparison trap, but it’s even more so when you may feel your content doesn’t measure up. Take an unapologetic break from the endless scroll.
2. Break up your routine
If you feel like you’re in a rut, it could be because you’ve been doing the same things over and over again. It’s time to break up your routine a bit. Remember tip #1? Now let’s fill that time you’ve spent unplugging with some new and exciting things! Take a walk. Read a book. Go for a bike ride. Visit a friend. Hit the library. Visit a cafe…without any intention of taking #fromabove photos of your #latteart!
3. Plan a mini getaway
There’s just something about getting away from your house and town that refreshes the soul! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Maybe it’s staying at a friend’s cabin over the weekend or staying at a hotel overnight. Whatever it is, it has to be something that you don’t do very often, will find fun, and will provide inspiration!
4. Find inspiration in new places
This tip may seem like a contradiction to tip #1, but a great way to get inspired again is to look for inspiration in new places, specifically finding new accounts on Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr. etc.
It’s easy to get stuck looking at the same people over and over again (the algorithm doesn’t help either), so you’re going to have to seek out new accounts that are similar to your style
(Extra Tip: Go to an account that you like and hit the “arrow down” next to the “follow” button. It will show you new suggested accounts based on what you like!). But don’t just scroll and scroll without a point. Look at photos that you like, screenshot them, then file them away for new ideas!
5. Collaborate
Every creative knows that meeting up with someone that is also like-minded is just way too fun! Meet up with someone that has the same goals as you and come up with a project that excites you both and that lets both of your creative talents shine, whether they’re in the same field as you or not! Magic can happen when two creative people get together, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
*BONUS TIP TO GET INSPIRED*
Don’t take it all too seriously. If you find yourself getting really worked up about something, ask yourself if it’s really that important. What’s the worst thing that can happen if you don’t post for a day…or a week! Will the world fall apart? No siree.
You don’t want to be your own worst enemy and make things worse than what they have to be. Yes, you’ll lose your creativity, but you’ll find it again too.
