How to Spark Creativity During a Rut
It can be very frustrating to be a creative person and feel stuck—staring at a blank screen, canvas, or notebook, feeling utterly uninspired. A creative rut can make you question your skills, your passion, and even your ability to create at all. But here’s the truth: ruts are temporary. They’re not a sign that your creativity is gone; they’re just a signal that your mind needs a shift.
As Maya Angelou, one of my favorite authors and feminist mentors, once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” The key isn’t waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s learning how to cultivate it, even when it feels out of reach. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or designer, here are proven ways to reignite your creativity and break through a rut.
Step Away and Do Something Different To Reset Your Creative Energy
Sometimes, the harder you try to force creativity, the more elusive it becomes. The brain needs space to process ideas, and often, inspiration strikes when you’re not actively searching for it. Think of it like wiping the slate clean, taking a bit of a reset. Computers need to be restarted once in awhile. So does our brain.
Taking a break isn’t procrastination—it’s part of the process. Step away from your work and engage in something completely unrelated. Go for a walk, listen to music, cook a meal, or even take a nap. These activities allow your subconscious mind to work on ideas in the background.
Change Your Environment- Or Tidy It Up
Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your surroundings play a huge role in how inspired (or uninspired) you feel. If you’re constantly creating in the same place, your brain gets used to the routine, and ideas can start to feel stagnant.
Try working in a new location. Head to a coffee shop, a library, a park, or even a different room in your home. Changing your environment provides fresh stimuli—new sights, sounds, and energy—that can spark unexpected ideas.
I also know for myself, I cannot be creative in a messy space. I need my studio to be looking tidy and orderly. I need to be able to access all of my supplies and feel comfortable. For my mind to focus on the creative task at hand, I need everything else not to be a distraction.
Experiment with a New Medium of Creative Expression
Creativity often gets stuck when you repeat the same patterns. If you typically work in one medium, shake things up. For example:
If you’re a writer, try sketching instead of typing.
If you’re an artist, experiment with digital tools instead of traditional ones.
If you’re a designer, explore photography or hand lettering.
Stepping outside your comfort zone breaks the mental patterns that keep you stuck. It’s like hitting refresh on your brain. Even though I don’t collage much, it is one of my favorite means of creative expression. Getting out my scissors and scraps of papers, and making something beautiful out of a bunch of random things is very rewarding, and often gets my creative juices flowing again.
Seek Out External Inspiration
Creativity doesn’t exist in isolation. Some of the greatest ideas come from observing, absorbing, and interpreting the world around us. If you’re feeling blocked, look outward for inspiration. I don’t have many books on my shelves since I have decluttered my house, but I have kept a few of the graphic design books simply for going back to browse. Online digital spaces are great for getting inspiration as well. Don’t get overwhelmed however! Just allow yourself to be inspired in small doses. Some more examples include:
Visiting an art gallery and observe how others express themselves.
Reading a great book that makes you think differently.
Watching a documentary on a completely unrelated topic.
Scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram (mindfully) for visual inspiration.
Connect with a Creative Community
Creativity flourishes in conversation. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people—whether online or in person—can reignite enthusiasm and motivation. Join a creative group, attend a workshop, or simply chat with a friend who shares your interests. Sometimes, hearing someone else’s process or struggles can help you gain perspective on your own. Some larger cities have creative co-ops or shared studio spaces. I did occasional art at one in my home town. They were a fun and dynamic place to be creative.
Even the most successful creatives rely on their communities. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic, (a book I highly recommend BTW) emphasizes the power of creative connection, saying, “Ideas are driven by a single impulse: to be made manifest. The best way to help ideas take shape is by sharing them with others.”
If you feel stuck, talk about it with other creatives or those who appreciate your work. Engage in brainstorming sessions, ask for feedback, or just share what’s on your mind. Creativity is like a muscle—the more you exercise it with others, the stronger it becomes.
Set Small Creative Challenges
Lastly, just try taking a step back and start small. Sometimes, the pressure of a big project is what’s blocking you. Instead of trying to force yourself to complete something major, set small creative challenges to ease yourself back into the flow. For example:
Write a 100-word story if you’re struggling with writing.
Draw five-minute sketches if you’re feeling artistically blocked.
Design a single color palette if a big design project feels overwhelming.
Just remember, no matter how long you’ve been creating, ruts are a natural part of the process. They don’t mean you’ve lost your talent or passion—they mean you need a reset or maybe a new approach. I believe that being a creative isn’t something that you do, it is something that you are. So don’t panic. Your muse is still in there. You just have to find a way to hear her again.
