27 Oct What to Do When You Feel Stuck

Feeling stuck? Having a healthy dose of creativity handy makes everything we do in life and business flow better. But here’s the crunch: you have to work for that inspiration to strike.

Written by Daniela Cavalletti

6 min read

I had a busy, hectic week. And frankly, I’m a tad exhausted. It’s been “go, go, go!” and on the move for a solid roll of days, and I’m ready for a bit of a lie-down.

I’m sure you’ve been there yourself.
Am I right?

Creativity and fatigue of any kind are uneasy bedfellows. And at first, picking an interesting topic for this week’s blog post wasn’t the usual fun and easy process.

My mind went blank where usually a lot of ideas bubble along, ready to be plucked and explored.

After staring at the screen and my ideas-list for far too long with nothing typed, I gave up. Walked away, put on some music and … boogied my way through doing the dishes and dusting.

Suddenly – boom!
Inspiration struck.

A Lightning Bolt of Creativity

Whether you’re writing a report, blog post or business proposal (or doing anything requiring creativity): chances are that producing something new feels very different every time. Some days your ideas and writing just flow – and another chapter or post is done in no time.

At other times, though, no new thoughts or interesting ideas seem to come.

None.
Nada.
Zilch.

Like any creative endeavour, knowing what to write – and then get something useful, innovative and engaging onto the page – needs one key ingredient.

Not coffee, no (though that helps in my case).

You need a dose of relaxed creativity.

How to Feel Inspired to Write (Or Do Anything, Really)

Be it for your marketing content or any other creative project: feeling at inspired ease, with your imagination fluttering in a breeze of ideas, is where you want to be at.

But easier said than done. As Pablo Picasso put it: “Inspiration exists, … but it has to find you working.”

What he meant is this: you cannot expect your brain to come up with novel, exciting and memorable concepts worth sharing, if you don’t feed and nurture your wit.

Nourish Your Mind + The Rest Will Follow

On average, I write a weekly blog post of up to 1,200 words. The weeks I struggle to (want to) write are those when I’ve been slogging away on the computer too much, rushed around non-stop, or had too little fun.

You don’t want to be stressed or tired when you sit down to write or create; it’s a drag.

Eventually, I realised that my writing is a lot better and enjoyable if I feed my creativity regularly with all sorts of weird and wonderful things. They don’t have to evolve around writing, reading, marketing or even communications as such.

Any writer and anyone doing creative work – professionally or otherwise – simply needs enjoyment, variety and stimulation to come up with the best goods. To create great writing, you need to nourish your creativity.

Here are my favourite ways to feed and boost my resourcefulness.

7 Ways to Boost Your Creativity

#1. Explore Visually

Get some veggies into your creative diet by making time to explore some visual art and artefacts. I love photography and paintings, and take myself to a gallery or museum regularly. Another – admittedly odd way – to feed the hunger for something visually intriguing is to go to op shops. I always come across something surprising or fascinating browsing through the clothing, crockery and other discarded treasures of others. Try it – and imaging the stories behind the curiosa you find. It works.

#2. Experience Something New

Whether you sign up for a day course on how to fix your bike, volunteer supporting refuges, watch some excellent documentaries or TED talks, go to a natural history museum, discover your city like a tourist, finally read A Short History of Time, or learn how to quilt. No matter what floats your boat – just find, do and learn something new. Meet new people; especially those different from you. It’ll give you new perspectives on the world and broaden your ability to create.

#3. Get Bored

Being plugged into the online world 24/7 offers avenues to find rich inspiration, yes. But the other side of the coin is it they can suck you into a black whole of consuming stuff that upsets or exhausts you. Or simply waste time you are short of, without giving you something in return. So, step away from the keyboard and remote. Happy daydreaming and getting bored are proven creativity boosters.

#4. Join the Club

Articulating our thoughts, passions and emotions precisely is satisfying and enriching because it can make us feel understood and connected. Try joining a social book club, learn how to debate, pick up another language, or get better at public speaking. Or simply meet up with likeminded people that share another passion of yours.

#5. Change Your Environment

Stepping out of your usual routine can be a powerful way to see the world in a different way and unearth new ideas. It may be as simple as taking a different route to work or on your morning walk. I like working in different places, for example. My ‘business comms writing’ spot is at my desk and two huge screens. Creative writing (like blog posts), though, I usually do on my laptop from anywhere else: the sunroom at home, a café, in the park, museum or library. Any environment that pleases my senses. It gets me out of strict logical thinking, and connects me with my more emotional, creative side.

#6. Move Your Body; Be Still

I get antsy and my mind wanders off task when I don’t throw in a regular dose of either getting very active or really still. I go for a vigorous bike ride or to the gym to pump up the energy again. Listen to music and dance, strut my stuff for a bit (a funny sight, I’m sure). When I need to tone down the buzz in my busy brain I head out o for a gentle walk or a mediation. I like to step out into nature to calm my mind, strengthen my body – and get my creativity boost.

#7. Hang Out With Some Kids

Playfulness is the best antidote to a mind stuck in a logical, rational rut devoid of creativity. Grab your kids or borrow some of your friends’ (they’ll love the free baby-sitting), and just be a bit silly. Invent and play games with them, be part of their world rich in imagination. It’s amazing how much running around pretending to be a dinosaur (or being eaten by one) can lift your mood and make you feel all relaxed. Try it sometime.

Getting out of my comfort zone – or consciously enjoying what makes me cheerful and relaxed. Those two opposites boost my creativity. They get me out of the writer’s block rut, or any feeling of being stuck.

For today, they helped me get my weekly blog post wrapped.

Oh, … and the housework’s done, too.

Handy.