Style Lullaby

Career•Lifestyle

5 Tips on How to Escape a Creative Rut

September 29, 2016

Lately, I’ve experienced feeling ultra stagnant and stuck in what I call a “creative rut.” I sit down at my desk writing words I don’t feel the power to, and staring at images that appear dull in my eyes. It’s these crippling moments when I feel completely uninspired… And the worst part is, forcing myself to create new content when I’m just not feeling it only adds insult to injury!

I’ve found that I get in creative ruts most when I overwork and don’t allow myself time to get out and do different things. Balance is essential in life. I admit that I still struggle with that sometimes, especially when there are tight deadlines to meet and only so many hours in a day.

Know this feeling all too well but don’t know what to do about it? Let these tips that have helped me, help you escape your creative rut! 🙂

SEARCH FOR INSPIRATION

When you feel like you’ve exhausted all creativity and inspiration within you, it’s time to search for it! It’s totally okay that you’re out of amazing ideas. Chances are, whatever great idea you had in mind, someone else already had, anyway. The important thing is to gather basic ideas and put your own spin to them. There are many sources of inspiration; books, magazines, social media, nature, and current life events are just some of many that inspire me.

HAVE A WORKING LIST OF IDEAS

Once you have ideas that spark your interest and fuel your mind, it’s time to put them into a list. Coming up with ideas alone can take up a lot of time. So, if I’m stuck in a creative rut mid-week and don’t know what to write about for the next day, I’ll feel super stressed out! Having several topics on hand to choose from will at least give me a starting point, and I can go from there. Other creatives like models, photographers, and stylists are encouraged to keep a file of inspiration sources to exercise their minds and be inspired to create something new.

TRY SOMETHING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE OR GO SOMEWHERE NEW

Getting out of your comfort zone and introducing yourself to something new will fuel creativity and surprisingly motivate you to work harder. If you don’t feel like trying something new, at least do yourself a favor and go somewhere new or somewhere you don’t go often. It’s always nice to get out and away, and you’ll be surprised at the plethora of ideas that nature alone can give you!

COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER CREATIVES

Sitting in my home office all day working and not communicating with anyone other than my boyfriend and Babadook sounds sorta’ unhealthy, right? It totally is, despite how I get so darn comfortable just never leaving the house. Nonetheless, I’m starting to put an effort to connect with other creatives, and it’s feeling great. I recently started becoming friends with other bloggers (didn’t think this was possible knowing how catty the industry is, but it is!) and it’s fantastic being able to bounce ideas off of each other. Just getting out there and communicating with other like-minded individuals will not only make you feel refreshed, it may also give you new insights or ideas, and spark new-found inspiration or creativity.

GET ENOUGH REST

It’s normal to get tired, and it’s important to rest when you get to that point. Overworking leads to fatigue, and fatigue leads to zero productivity, creativity, and motivation to work. As work gets busier, I have found myself sleeping later. However, I try to turn off the computer and get to bed at a reasonable time. Sleeping at least 7-8 hours gives your body time to refresh and restart for a brand new day. I find that when I’m well-rested, I’m able to think clearly and get my creative juices flowing.

What are some things you do to save your no-motivation days and get your creative juices flowing again?

Previous Life Hacks That Make Early Mornings Easier
Next Elements that Make a Perfect Flat Lay Photo

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marlena says

    These are all totally the same things that I do! And chatting with you over tea always inspires me 😉 <3 Exploring is a great source of inspiration, especially when I am in a total rut. I also love reading magazines or going to the bookstore and paging through books.

    Reply

    • Sharon Wu says

      Me too! Thank you for being such an awesome friend. I can’t wait to get back from Temecula and hang out again soon! Still on for a dinner party if you are 😉

      Reply

  3. Jasmin Marie says

    Great tips! When I’m feeling burnt out and need new inspiration I like to go outdoors for a bit! That will usually do the trick for me 🙂

    Reply

  7. Ellen Vargas says

    This post is just what I needed! Feeling so unmotivated at work today haha. Maybe I just need to go on a walk during my lunch break. Hope you have a great day! xo

    Reply

  8. Christina Beauchamp says

    Awesome tips! I find that when I don’t get enough rest, I’m less likely to feel productive and motivated to work the next day. I really should start putting in extra effort to sleep at least 8 hours a night. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  11. Rachel Wells says

    Fantastic tips, Sharon! I’ll be sure to start keeping a list of working ideas in a notebook for the next time I get in a creative rut. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  14. Diana Lee says

    I want to go on an adventure now after reading this! Hopefully I can find some time this weekend to visit somewhere new 🙂

    Reply

  15. Casey says

    YESS! This post is everything. As a part-time model, communicating with other like-minded people really helps spark inspiration! Thanks for the suggestions!

    Reply

  18. Samantha Reed says

    On my no-motivation days, I just like to sit it out and relax until I can get my creative juices flowing. I find that the harder I try to force it, the longer it takes for me to get back in the zone!

    Reply

  22. Florence Gao says

    You are such an inspiration to me girl! You always come up with such great posts on your blog that I would never think you’re ever in a creative rut.

    Reply

    • Sharon Wu says

      Thank you so much, Florence! I’m so glad I could be of inspiration to you 🙂 hehe I am often in a creative rut having to come up with new content everyday, actually! Haha. But I try to take it easy and it eventually comes back to me!

      Reply

  24. Thomas Falkenstedt says

    Hey sweetie! What if I’m in the total opposite position, that is, I have a TON of ideas, but I don’t have time to write them. Hahaha. As I’m in Paris right now there’s like a 10 minute gap here and now and that’s when I sit down and breathe. But that actually accounts for your tip “get out there and explore”. If it wasn’t for this and other trips I’d be totally rotting away in my apartment and not think of anything creative at all. Sounds like a cliché, but I totally wish you were here.
    xoxo
    Thomas

    Reply

    • Sharon Wu says

      LOL! I wish I had a ton of ideas… but I’m actually still working hard on building my list of ideas hehe. Lucky for you, you’re traveling right now so probably why you’re so filled with inspiration! Share some with me please 🙂 hehe

      Reply

  26. Natalie Szczechowski says

    Sharon, you are such a light! I related to this on several different levels and am very on board with your tips! I love coming to your site. It is so well-organized, the images are beautiful–it’s just lovely all around. Kisses, babe!

    Reply

    • Sharon Wu says

      Hi Natalie! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! I appreciate it. I’m so glad to hear that you can relate to this post on several levels. I’m actually in the middle of a redesign for my site so I’m hoping it will be even better in the next week or two 😉 stay tuned and have a great weekend hun <3 xo

      Reply

  27. Shannon says

    Great tips. I love these posts. I agree with getting enough rest, it can really take a toll on every thing if you’re exhausted all the time & never have enough energy. Thanks for sharing!

    TFM BLOG

    Reply

  29. Alexa Barnes says

    Lately, I’ve been more tired than usual; as a result, I find it harder to feel motivated and excited to work, even on things I normally would enjoy doing. I’ll definitely be putting more effort into sleeping better after reading this post. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

  31. Stephanie says

    You’re seriously speaking to me with these tips right now, girlfriend. I’ve been definitely feeling at a creative low point lately. Maybe I just need a day to get out and explore and have fun sometime soon to wake my brain back up! These are some great suggestions 🙂

    Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com

    Reply

  32. Miki says

    Girl, I totally get you! I have been in a creative rut re-writing the same blog post different ways multiple times before and it’s brutal. It’s amazing to meet other people who understand what you do. I’ve been really fortunate to meet other people who have the same mindset as well, because I am completely awkward when there’s cattiness.

    Sometimes, when I get in a rut, I like to hit the gym, go exploring, plan another trip, watch a movie to unwind, drink (no really, wine makes me more creative lol), do something active, but fun like archery tag (ok, maybe I’m an extremist – don’t judge) or I talk to bloggers/entrepreneurs who go through some of the same challenges as I do. I find when people share similar experiences with you, it is really eye opening and it doesn’t feel so wrong to encounter the challenges you face. They often have a few of their own solutions.

    Xo,
    Miki
    http://mikialamode.com

    Reply

    • Sharon Wu says

      OMG I can’t deal with cattiness in this industry either. I just can’t! AHHH. So glad to hear there’s someone else out there who feels the same way. I am fortunate as well to have met some great people in the industry that aren’t catty too, so for that I’m really grateful! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend hun xo

      Reply

  34. Anne Barber says

    Great tips! Bookmarked this post for the future when I need to get out of a creative rut 😉 Thanks for sharing, Sharon!

    Reply

  37. jasna says

    I feel you hun I get like that often, these are great tips. I am actually feeling like that now and a little stressed as I have posts for next week to complete, campaigns and all my end of month admin to sort out by Monday and I am feeling so tired …must be one of those days lol.

    Reply

  41. Julie says

    Omg Sharon! This was us last week, we were like so depressed and felt like we had no inspiration. For us, it was mostly because we were home for 2 weeks and all we wanted to do was travel again. But we went to a few workout classes and felt wayyy better just leaving the house for a few hours. And today we finally got back on the road for our next trip! It’s amazing how traveling makes you feel like a different person!!! So happy you shared some tips!

    Xo,

    Gem+Elli | gemandelli.com

    Reply

  45. Adelina says

    Sharon, you live in LA. Have you tried going dancing???An evening out dancing. That ALWAYS does it for me!!! I’ve been in a creative rut too but been really busy with work outside of blogging and really left with “too little time.” Time is never enough, it’s what we make out of it that counts! Xox, Adelina

    http://www.thecharmingolive.com

    Reply

    • Sharon Wu says

      Adelina!!! Omg!!! I am far from a dancer… but I guess it couldn’t hurt to try. LOL! Yes, I do live in LA… but now the question is, where are the good spots to go dancing?! Any recommendations? I see that you’re in LA here and there so am wondering if you know any spots! And I know what you mean! Whenever I get contracted for work outside of the blog on the side I start to feel like I’m in such a crazy time crunch. You’re so right though! Got to make every minute count 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content cannot be copied.