It happens to all of us, one day you’re a creative genius and the ideas are free flowing and then the next you hit a brick wall or just feel totally uninspired. That is the nature of being in a creative role. So, what can you do when you find yourself in this situation?
Skillshare
At Glow, we have recently signed up for a premium account with Skillshare, an online learning platform. After trialling the service for free, our designers found that the wide range of courses on offer were incredibly helpful and not only provided a source of inspiration, but also helped with confidence. When you’re more confident with the software or medium you are using, your creative options will open up, as you’ll have increased knowledge on how to use certain tools or implement different techniques.
Skillshare offer a free 2-month trial, which we’d definitely recommended trying out. You can gain a lot from it, even if you cancel after the trial.
Create a Pinterest board. It doesn’t have to be related to any current project, it could simply be pieces of design or artistic work that you like or that grab your attention as you browse. Then, when you feel your mojo running low, refer back to your board(s) to reignite what you love about your creative subject.
You could even try to recreate one of your pinned examples, adding your own style and twist as an experimental piece to get you back into the flow.
Step away
If you’re really struggling with a particular piece of work and you seem to be going in circles, the best thing you can do is to step away and come back to it later with fresh eyes. We know very well that this is easier said than done, you don’t want to let it defeat you, but 99% of the time this will help to give you a fresh perspective or new ideas when you do revisit the task.
Exercise
Many creative subjects/roles will involve long periods of sitting, whether that be in front of a computer screen or a paint set. It is a great idea to break up your day with some form of exercise to give your mind and body a break from being stationary. It could be a walk around your office site (or your neighbourhood if you’re working at home) or just some simple stretches.
At Glow, we regularly take a quick Yoga or Pilates break. Why not give it a go? We’d recommend ‘Yoga with Adrienne’, which you can find for free on Youtube.
You’re not alone
Remember, when you find yourself stuck or at a creative block, you are not alone. Even professionals who have been in the industry for many years still experience this from time to time. Don’t be too hard on yourself, it will pass. Your drive and passion for design is inherently in you and won’t just disappear. You’ve got this!
