Whether you are a creative working full-time to a creative who dabbles creatively once in a while, you will at some point bump into (rather abruptly) a “CREATIVE BLOCK”. A creative block stops us from moving with creative freedom. I call these creative blocks – “creative stealers”, as I believe that these stumbling blocks do just that; steal from us personally, mentally, emotionally, as well as creatively. It can be quite frustrating, especially when it is our 9-5 job, and we don’t really have the time to wait around for inspiration to hit. Instead we need to learn how to push those creative blocks over, and learn to work around those moments wisely.

CREATIVITY STEALERS

How do we  move forward and overcome these nasty creative stealers? By acknowledging it, addressing them head on, and rediscover how can we stay fed and inspired creatively going forward. Learn to identify those creativity stealers, and use that knowledge to your advantage by overcoming them and taking back what creatively belongs to you.

1 . SELF DOUBT & LACK OF CONFIDENCE

  • Being creative means you need to feel confident, comfortable and vulnerable when putting yourself out there creatively. Often that vulnerability makes us feel exposed, uncomfortable and we often then doubt what we have created. Self doubt will always steal from us creatively, and block us from exploring and experimenting creatively. Trust yourself, trust your creative process, and believe in yourself and what you are creating.

2 . COMPARISON

  • I think it’s totally natural and normal to sometimes fall into a habit of comparison. It’s almost a human default setting. If you find yourself feeling down about who you are as a creative or as a person, then remind yourself that your life, your work, your journey is a unique masterpiece. Therefore, stay on your path, and celebrate your journey.

3 . UNHEALTHY COMPETITION

  • Unhealthy competition: when you are motivated to outdo somebody else creatively, when you measure your success and gain confidence knowing that you are beating, outshining or out doing somebody else. It’s a miserable head space to be in, and it can be so exhausting!
  • Stay inspired by others creatively, don’t see them as a threat or as competition, instead support and encourage one another – that in itself will free you and empower you creatively.

4 . FEAR OF FAILING / FEAR OF NOT BEING GOOD ENOUGH

  • This is another default setting that creatives fall prey too. As we tend to feel like our work is not good enough, or we fear trying something new, or putting ourselves out there just incase we fail, mess up, disappoint, or get it completely wrong all together.
  • Some of the best artists of all time, were the ones who took risks, and did the unthinkable for their time. And, yes I am sure they too messed up plenty of times before getting it right, but least they tried. Even if you do mess up, so what? At least you tried, and at least you can say that you tried, and that you learnt from that, and then start again.

5 . FEELING OVERWHELMED 

  • Working in a creative environment can be overwhelming. Often there are crazy deadlines that need to be met – and somehow all in a short space of time. When we feel frazzled and overwhelmed creatively it can affect how we create and produce (or not produce) work.
  • Avoid feeling overwhelmed by starting everyday by making a list, know what needs to be done, remain calm and stay focused on the task at hand. Invest in exercising for de-stressing, journal so you can filter through thoughts, and make sure that you make time to rest. Invest in things that relax and de-stress you, as well as investing in things that inspire you.

6 . FORGETTING TO HAVE FUN CREATIVELY

  • When working in a creative environment 9-5, our creative work becomes just that “work”. Nothing more, nothing less. Which in turn can make our work become stale and lack fresh inspiration. As creatives we must never forget to “play” creatively, by doing something fun. Maybe expressing ourselves creatively in a different way, or using our free time to create with no limits.
  • I am a writer and a drama teacher, so for to keep me fresh and inspired – I love to film short video clips, or I doodle in my journal (even if it is just stick men) I love exploring those fun moments, as it makes me giggle at myself, it lets me be whoever I need to be right then and there, and that is so refreshing in itself!

So, the next time you feel like you’re being blocked in by those nasty creative stealers – address it, work around it, and overcome it! Happy creating 🙂