Creative blocks are annoying and depressing, whether it’s momentary or long-lasting.

So, how can you work through your creative blocks to get back into a much better creative state? 

From Van Gogh to Edgar Allan Poe to the Beatles to Taylor Swift, great artists have always been notoriously influenced by their emotions. Love, sorrow, worry, rejection, isolation, and every other feeling you can think about have sparked people’s imaginations for centuries.

It’s easy, after all, to either indulge in negative or favourable emotions. Likewise, it’s simple to take our feelings at face value instead of putting them to great use.

If you are stuck, that indicates you are on the right creative journey.

What happens when you’re stuck?

You’ll know when a creative block pops up because you’ll feel off. This is when you must learn to overcome the stifling (temporary) challenge you face.

The key is acknowledging you’re off balance and doing something about it.  Of course, everyone is different, and only you can solve your dilemma. Own the issue!

Could it be difficulty focusing?

Your lack of focus might indicate your imagination is stuck for a particular reason. Ask yourself why you’re easily distracted.

Conversely, when you’re fully absorbed and hyper-focused on your work, you feel a divine flow and lose track of time. I love that state!

What things in your day are stopping you from doing creative work?

When I’m obstructed, it manifests as irritability. For example, I might be restless (bitchy) with my partner, short with my friends, upset at the “moron” driver in front of me, or negative about myself. — You may need to take a big dump and have a bubble bath! — who knows, but figure it out!

Absence of motivation

Creative blocks can manifest as discouragement, pessimism, or perhaps physical exhaustion. Nevertheless, it happens eventually to all of us.

Being stuck creatively may seem like a lack of imagination, but perhaps you’re a tad overwhelmed and need to chill a bit: too many ideas, work bullshit, daily tasks and so on.

Our best innovative efforts are born from our most powerful emotions.

Creative blocks happen to the best of us, so be easy on yourself and learn to manage things. — — I’ve crawled back into bed mid-day for a few hours.

Knowing how to press through your challenge will help you deal with the block efficiently.

When creative constipation pops up, you’ll know something is off, whether it lasts minutes, days, or even months. The key is to prevent a downward spiral and get back on track.

How to push through your creative block

Do something….anything.

The trick to getting ahead is getting started. Embrace and identify your feelings while you tinker with something. When I have writer’s block, I work on graphic designs or sort photos. Do something!

I may cuss and spit, but I don’t give up.

Starting is half the battle. Action is the only way to get through to the other side.

Step away.

Stepping back from your situation might imply a couple of things. First, shift away from your creative workspace and concentrate on what you need to feed your soul.

That may suggest concentrating on diet, workout, sleep, and self-care. These things build a strong foundation for a creative life in general.

Creative barriers may be connected to psychological or emotional issues. For example, if you feel creatively obstructed, it helps to permit yourself to embrace your thoughts and feelings (good or bad).

On the other hand, if you are persistently stuck, see a healthcare provider to help resolve your issues. (Don’t let the fuc@ers give you a pill….. magic mushrooms are ok!)

I unblock by resolving surface-level emotions (exhausted, frustrated, etc.). Still, during the process, I often find deeper feelings at the heart of my creative block, and as I explore them further, my creative well is primed.

My best writing comes when I’m a drama queen. — journaling helps!

Toss out all instructions and rules and just begin creating. You might be shocked at how far a little momentum can get you in the flow.

Move — walk, run, pace; do anything.

Some days, imagination comes easy. On other days, a little. When your creative juices aren’t flowing, your muse has likely chosen to call it quits early.

During these ‘stuck’ moments, it’s necessary to reset your imagination so you can release your frustrations and get back to the art of creating.

Exercise is tied to mental health,

Shake out your funk with physical movement. Once you fix the problem, you know you will get something done. So cycling resets my originality.

Be mindful during your activity. Don’t pressure yourself to solve a problem or “get something done” during your trek. Instead, let go of thought and be fully present in the moment.

Notice your feet hitting the ground. Notice the scenery around you. Be aware of the sounds, smells, temperature, and your breath.

Treat your activity as a meditative moment.

Yes, imagination draws out feelings. These emotions can power your creativity.

Your creativity will spur feelings. I’ve often appreciated a story, painting, song, photo, style, or other imaginative work that stirred some newfound sensation.

Acknowledge that you need a system to help you push through your creative blocks.

People go to fantastic lengths to guarantee the influence of their creative work sensation. So, if you’re an online creator, you are encouraged when super fans subscribe, follow, click, and send positive comments our way.

Spend time engaging with others. Your conversations may spark a new piece of writing.

These everyday distractions allow your head to reset so that you feel unblocked, refreshed, and all set to go when you return to work.

Whether your creative block lasts minutes, days, or even months, being blocked is an aggravating experience. — I get it.

The best work you can do often appears like something other than work. Taking a tiny break from a job you feel obstructed by gives your subconscious time to deal with your shit as you give your mindful brain a time out.

Some folks press too hard when pushing through a block and feel the need to rake through with a big burst of energy; however, it may be better to decrease workload and change scenery or routine.

Modify your environment.

It may be your workspace that’s messing with your energy.

Noise-cancelling earphones, blue light-blocking glasses, an individual space heating system or fan, or eliminating diversions like your phone might help.

I’m a massive fan of candles, mood lighting, bubble baths and a zillion trips to the fridge (healthy stuff).

Do something on auto-pilot: cook a dish, organize your closet, clean your balcony, shave, spank the monkey (look it up). But, then, do something different, even dull and tedious… eh!

Be more imaginative every day.

Let yourself feel those feelings. Release them. Cry, shriek, laugh, vent, write, draw, make music — do whatever you need to process those sensations.

Even better if you can channel feelings into your work. Your emotions can help press you through when you’re creatively stuck.

Revisit the fundamentals of your creative workflow, and you’ll eventually overcome your block, and hopefully, you’ll start creating once again.

Hey, maybe smoke a little weed! (It’s legal in Canada)

Ask yourself why you enjoy creating. Then, take on a simple job you can do well with quick results.

The “simple” starting technique is just this: do not be scared to make something horrible.

Your aim is not to develop something epic on the first flush. Instead, you are dealing with the sole function of getting going.

So walk away from this post and surround yourself with things that inspire you: photographs, artwork, greenery, nice-smelling candles, inspiring notes, and so on.

In closing

Do not combat your feelings. Welcome them. Utilize them. They are practical, and they are yours to own. Put them to work for you, and find the magic within.

Utilizing your emotions to power your imagination can cause life-altering experiences.

Not only can it help you create something significant, but it can likewise help you get more in touch with your emotions so you can live a better, more fulfilled life.

In love and creativity