Spark Creativity
There’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like you’re in a slump. I know how discouraging it can be when your fingers hover over the keys and writer’s block strikes again. When you drag yourself to the gym only to feel bored and unfocused with your current program. When you break out your ring light and camera, but your content ideas feel stale or unoriginal.
Maybe you have a melody in your head, but the words won’t flow. Or you’re staring into your closet trying to get ready for an event, but nothing sparks interest and you feel stuck in a style rut.
So what do you do when you need a little inspiration? Where do you go to reignite that spark of creativity?
We’ve all been there.
But the good news is that creativity is like a muscle—you can stretch it, strengthen it, and wake it up again.
I’ve rounded up some tried-and-true ways to help break out of the slump. They might sound simple, but pick a few and give them a try.
- Mix Up Your Routine -Drive a different way to work, stop at a new coffee shop, or even just order something you wouldn’t normally get. Rearrange a small part of your day—your morning routine, your workout, or the order you tackle tasks. Small changes can shift your perspective more than you’d expect.
- Collab With Friends - Plan a casual brainstorm session or spend time working alongside other creative friends. This could be as simple as bringing your laptops to the same space, starting a “no pressure” project together, or bouncing ideas off each other over coffee. Lean on their strengths while they draw from yours—sometimes a fresh set of eyes is all it takes.
- Go Outside - Sometimes your brain just needs a change of scenery! I cannot stress this enough. Nothing gets my mind going than going for a long hike, exploring the mountains, or sitting by a lake. But truthfully, anything in nature makes my heart so happy and helps clear the mental clutter. Just sit in the sun and get some fresh air and cold water - we're kind of like plants that way 🌱🤣
- Change Your Environment (indoors!) - If you can’t get out, change things up inside. Sit in a different chair, work at the kitchen table instead of your desk, or move a lamp to create a new feel in the room. Reorganizing even a small space can help your mind feel less stuck.
- Spend Some Time with Kiddos - After all, they have the best imagination. I have the most fun when I just let myself be silly with my toddler. It's so refreshing to get out of "productive mode" for a bit. If you don't have kids around, even spending time with a pet can help. a pet if you don't have little ones around! Their innate playfulness can help you tap into your own creativity.
- Keep a Journal or Sketchbook Nearby - Ideas don't always come at convenient times. Keeping something with you to jot things down - notes in your phone, a small notebook, or a sketchpad - helps you capture ideas before they pass!
- Listen to Something New - Put on a new playlist, a podcast, or even a genre you wouldn't normally choose. Music especially has a way of shifting your mood. Let it flow and inspire your thoughts and ideas. Spotify has SO many playlists to choose from. Current fav is: oat milk lattes in the mountains (& yes, that's the actual name of the playlist! It's the perfect, chill vibes)
You don’t need a major reset to get out of a creative slump. Most of the time, it’s just a few small shifts that help you get moving again.
Try one or two of these and see what sticks. Creativity has a way of coming back when you give it a little space to do so.
Author: Gaby Wilson
Gaby has been part of the Flying Cow family for almost four years now! She has a Bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Business Management from Curry College (in a tiny town in Massachusetts). She moved to Texas from California in 2021, planning to stay for about 6 months, but the Lord had other plans...she met her now husband! They’ve been married for 3 years & have a sweet baby girl. Gaby is loving being a stay at home mama & juggling remote work for us from time to time!