If you get stuck, draw with a different pen. Change your tools; it may free your thinking. — Paul Arden
No matter how creative you are there always comes a time when you run out of ideas and get stuck. You just can’t think of anything to write about.
Usually, it’s when you’re stressed and dealing with lots of other issues in your life and your brain is consumed with solving them.
Or maybe you’re pushing too hard and trying to force yourself to write something and your inner child throws a tantrum.
Whatever the reason, the good news is you can get yourself out of that funk and get back to creating and writing again by changing things up.
Here’s some ideas to get you back to your creative self:
Stop trying to force yourself to write. Take a deep breath and relax. Step away from the laptop and put down your phone.
Change your environment. Take a walk. Go to the gym. Take a drive.
Listen to music. Cue up your favorite songs and just be.
Go to the bookstore. Browse the bookshelves and the magazine racks. Notice what attracts you and pick it up. Go get a nice cup of coffee or tea at the cafe and look at the book contents and scan through the magazines. Note: I really find the Origin magazine helps me think more creatively.
Grab a notebook and a colored pen and do a brain dump of all that stuff floating around in your head. Clearing your mind like this can help free up your creative brain power. And you might find some good ideas to write about too.
Have lunch with a supportive friend. Going out for a fun lunch and just talking with someone who gets you and reminds you who you really are will help change your perspective.
Take yourself to the movies in the afternoon on a work day. Going solo to the movies in the middle of the week and enjoying a fun movie delights your inner child and takes you out of your brain.
Check out ChatGPT and ask it anything you want. You may be surprised at what you find out. Think of it as a really smart friend that’s available 24/7.
Using these methods to get unstuck can be fun and get your creative juices flowing again. Try it and see what happens!
Let us know in the comments what you did to get out of your creative funk.
Resources:
Origins Magazine — https://www.originmagazine.com/
Full of photos, quotes, and inspiring stories of creative women.
© Linda Locke
Linda Locke is a writer, mentor/teacher and Lead Editor for the Midform Publication. She lives in Southern California in Ventura County by the Coast with her husband and lots and lots of books.