10 Quick Ways to Beat a Creative Block

10 Quick Ways to Beat a Creative Block Having a creative outlet has lots of benefits. But when you find yourself running low on inspiration, it can bring on a real state of frustration. When you encounter a creative block, here are 10 ways to keep moving forward1. Move Your BodyWhen I spend too much time sitting at my desk, I often find myself in a major brain fog. This is why I take a short walk every day during my lunch hour. Even if Im doing work that doesnt feelsuper creative, even coming up with solutions to problems is easier after getting up and moving around.2. Try aFree WriteThis mightbe one of the most repeatedpieces of advice for pushing past a slump, but thats because its usually effective. The beauty of forcing yourself to put pencil to paper (or fingertips to keyboard) is that you can alleviate some of the pressure of making something good. Take some time to write that first draft. Just getting down whats on your mind can be fassonative. Even if 99% of what you do isnt usable, the 1% that sticks can turn into something great.3. List Things OutSimilar to free creating, making a list can help kick your creativity into gear. You could list the first influencers in your field that come to mind, your project ideas, or even just 20 random words. There are no rules in this game, and it can prove to be a super generative exercise.4. Jot Down Ideas While on the GoSo many ideas materialize for a second before disappearing foreverin the shower, in the car, before bed. Taking time to write down these thoughts can seem like so much work, but unless you have a truly impeccable memory, you should write down ideas as they come to you, so you can flesh them out later.5. Have aChatWhile the mythic figure of the lonely creative locked away with their project still exists, interactions can also be fruitful. If youre feeling stuck in a rut, open yourself up to hearing someone elses ideas. Learning what theyre watching, reading, and listening to could be the jumping of f point that inspires you to delve into your next big project. If nothing else, interacting with another menschenwrdig typically proves to be more intellectually stimulating than staring at a blank page for hours on end.6. Do NothingTrying too hard can be counterproductive. There are so many things in everyday life that need our attentionthat sometimes the practical things that have to be done can choke out our creativity. When this happens, try to do nothing. Sit with your thoughts. Relax.I know it can be harder than it seems, but just sitting in silence for 20 minutes can give you the space you need to let your mind wander into something great.7. Create aCreativeRoutine...Starting something new can jumpstart creativity. If youve never tried carving out a specific time to work at your creative endeavours, you might be surprised to find that knowing you have to be in a specific place at a specific time to fulfill a specific task can corral your mind into focus.8. ... and Break YourT raditional RoutineIf youve been doing the whole saatkorn place, same time routine for a while only to find that your creativitywell hath run dry, dumping thisold obligationmay give your mind thefreedom to roam. Then, it can come up with ideas it couldnt come up withwhile restrained.When I was an undergraduate student, Starbucks was my go-to place to hammer out papers that were pushing their deadlines. However, working on writing projects there now doesnt work the way it used to. I get distracted and end up spending hours mindlessly reading Facebook, so I decided to ditch the Bucks and alternate between other work spaces. Believe it or not, its worked.9. Copy SomeoneNot only is imitation the sincerest form of flattery, but it can also be the step you need to create something others long to imitate. Reproducing a work you admire can put you back in touch with what you like about your discipline and how you can improve on old ideas.10. Try Something NewSimilar to breaking routines, try ing a new experience can help awaken something you didnt even realize you wanted. When were exposed to the same stimuli day in and day out, your thoughts can feel stale, and coming up with new ideas can seem daunting. Try cooking a new meal or taking a class to try out a new skill. You never know, a new passion or story to tell can be the push you need to go out and express yourself.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.