Dealing with Creative Blocks
What do you do when nothing seems to be coming together?
We’ve all been there at least once. There is a project waiting to be touched, or a fantastic idea you have been dreaming of experimenting on for weeks, but now that you finally have the time, nothing seems to be coming together. Your thoughts seem all over the place, your go-to playlist is not doing the trick this time, your messy space that you thought was the culprit is now organized, and yet, nothing still seems to make sense. There can be no motion in any way on the work at hand. In essence, you are stuck.
It is a creative block, and as highlighted already, many creatives have come face-to-face with this at different points in their creative journey. Bouts of creative blocks are never without reason. Sometimes, you might be able to trace the reason for the block, and other times, it is trickier to settle on the reason behind the block.
Instances or scenarios that induce creative blocks can look like:
Getting a block because you have been stuck in a creating loop without consuming enough or resting. Now you feel like you are attempting to draw from a dry well.
Getting a block because you feel somewhat paralysed by how high the stakes are on the project in front of you. You subconsciously feel frightened to start because you are unsure of how successful you might be in creating the right output to match the stakes.
Getting a block because of unresolved emotions. Creativity stands at the intersection of emotions and mental expression and capacity. If something is off emotionally, it can affect your work. And when this goes on for an extended period, it can lead to bouts of creative blocks.
Getting a block when there is an unexpected change to your routine, or you’re experiencing a transition. Things like unstable power supply, inadequate physical space, new responsibilities, or even health problems can affect your creativity and lead to a degree of creative blocks.
When you can place a finger on the cause of your creative block, it is easier to navigate your way out of the block.
Now that you know some likely causes of your creative block, here are some tips to help you out of it.
As counterintuitive as it might sound, taking a break helps, especially if the block has been induced by an endless creative loop. Unplug and sit with boredom. You know how the most wonderful ideas come when we are not thinking about the problem, you are likely to simulate a similar effect by taking a break and learning to sit with the boredom.
Other times, what you need is a change in environment. Work under conditions different from what you are used to. Spruce up your workspace, reorganize it if need be, work with other people if you are accustomed to working solo, try out a new medium of creative expression on that project, or work in silence if you are used to working with music. Little changes like these can get the gears rolling again and help you find your way out of a block.
Think about the creative problem in tasks, not just the final output. If you are stuck coming up with a complete campaign, work on the structure first, and then go on to write a couple of headlines for the project. There is a chance that one would be a good enough base to build on. Get out of the headspace of needing to figure it all out at a go. Lower the entry point and build from the small but specific creative tasks that contribute to the project.
If your creative block is a result of a transition you are going through, know that it is okay to make “bad work”. Many times, we come to know what we qualify as good work through multiple (failed) attempts at creating something. Growth is not an easy thing, and it is okay to feel your way through, experimenting and exploring till you settle on what works. Not doing anything at all would be a grave mistake.
And other times, the way out of a creative block comes after asking questions, the right questions that help you put things in perspective, process, and synthesise your thoughts better. Compiling references and inspiration that you can combine to birth new ideas or the desired concept also helps.
In the end, creative blocks are not permanent, nor do they reflect the measure of your talent or your creative trajectory. They come and go, and even if some bouts last longer than others, there is always a way out of it once you can identify the cause of your creative block.
What’s your best bet for getting out of creative blocks?