How To Get Unstuck. 6 Quick Tips To Gently Nudge Your Imagination Back Into Motion.
We’ve all been there, that frustrating place where ideas feel uninspired, motivation is nowhere to be found, and the blank page seems to mock you. Feeling creatively stuck is one of the most common (and most disheartening) parts of being an artist, writer, designer, or anyone who makes things for fun or for a living.
But here’s the thing: creative ruts aren’t signs that you’re not good enough or that you’ve run out of ideas. They’re a part of the process. They’re often the space right before something new emerges. You can learn how to sit with it and move through it.
Here are a few things I do when I feel stuck creatively:
1. Step Away Without Guilt
Sometimes the best way forward is to stop forcing it. Take a real break. That could mean a day, a week, or even just a walk around the block. Give your brain space to reset.
2. Switch Mediums or Routines
If I’m stuck with drawing, I’ll write. If I’m tired of digital work, I’ll pick up a pencil or paintbrush. Creativity thrives on novelty so changing your tools or environment can shake things loose.
3. Consume, Don’t Just Create
Look at art, read books, watch weird films, listen to music outside your usual taste. Let other people's creativity fill the well.
4. Make “Bad” Work on Purpose
Give yourself permission to make the worst sketch, the ugliest design, the silliest idea. You’ll be surprised how freeing it is when perfection isn't the goal. It may end up being some of your best work.
5. Talk to Other Creatives
Chances are, they’ve been there too. Sometimes just saying “I feel stuck” out loud can break the isolation and remind you that you’re not alone.
6. Reflect Instead of Reacting
Instead of panicking when the ideas slow down, ask yourself: What might this creative block be trying to tell me? Am I tired? Bored? Burned out? Sometimes the block is a message, not a mistake.
Final Thoughts
Getting stuck doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing. You don’t have to push through with brute force. Be curious. Be patient. Your creativity is still there, waiting to be invited back in.
