How to Overcome Creative Block & Find Your Way Back to Flow
The first draft of this article sat untouched for weeks because I convinced myself it was pointless. Then I remembered that’s exactly what creative block does. So here we are.
Creative block happens to actors mid-scene, musicians at their pianos, writers staring at blank pages. But also to YouTubers staring at editing timelines, Instagrammers paralysed by caption ideas, and you – right now, reading this instead of doing the thing you're meant to be doing.
Not the glamourous, tortured artists kind weeping elegantly in lofts. But the kind when your brain flat-out refuses to cooperate, whether you're trying to design a logo, write an email, or figure out what to make for dinner. The fancy term is "creative block," but let's call it what it is: your mind suddenly becoming the most unhelpful colleague imaginable.
You’re not alone. I’ve been there. I am there, roughly 37% of the time (fine, maybe that’s an overly precise percentage, but you get the idea).
Creative block isn't a sign you're bad at your craft. It's proof you care enough to get stuck in the first place. This guide won't give you fake motivation or corporate buzzwords. Just real, weird strategies that might – maybe – help you unstuck yourself.
What Creative Block Actually Feels Like (And Why It’s Not Just Laziness)
Creative block isn’t just "not feeling like it." It’s deeper. It’s opening your sketchbook and your hand freezing like it’s forgotten how to hold a pencil. It’s writing the same sentence twelve times and deleting it every time because it sounds stupid. It’s wanting to make something so badly, but your brain keeps whispering, "Why bother? It’ll be rubbish anyway."
And then comes the guilt. "If I were a real artist/writer/designer, I’d just push through!" But forcing it doesn’t always work. Sometimes, the harder you push, the more stuck you get.
Creative block isn’t failure. It’s part of the process. Annoying? Yes. Avoidable? Not really. But you can learn how to work with it instead of against it.
Types of Creative Block (And How to Deal with Each One)
Creative block isn’t one-size-fits-all. It shows up in different ways, and each type needs a slightly different approach.
1. The Overthinking Spiral (When Your Brain Won’t Shut Up)
What it looks like:
You have an idea, but immediately talk yourself out of it.
You keep starting over because nothing feels "good enough."
You spend more time researching how to do something than actually doing it.
Why it happens:
Your brain is stuck in editor mode, not creator mode. It’s like trying to write a novel while someone stands over your shoulder correcting every word.
How to wiggle free:
Change your surroundings. Go somewhere you don’t usually work – a café, a park bench, even a different room. New input = new thoughts.
Set a stupidly small goal. "I’ll draw for 2 minutes." Often, starting is the hardest part.
Try the "wrong" way. Use your non-dominant hand. Write in Comic Sans. Break the rules on purpose.
From my post on how travel sparks ideas:
- Get inspired by nature – watch sunrise over a volcano, hear the waves crashing on a beach.
- Capture memories – photograph, journal, sketch.
- Learn through exploration – visit historical sites, walk through ancient streets.
2. The Fear Trap (When You’re Scared to Even Start)
What it looks like:
You avoid your work because you’re afraid it won’t be good.
You compare yourself to others and feel like a fraud.
You procrastinate by "preparing" (organising brushes, reading tutorials, but never actually making anything).
Why it happens:
Fear loves to dress up as practicality. "I’ll wait until I’m better/more inspired/have more time." But that day never comes.
How to wiggle free:
Make something terrible on purpose. Scribble nonsense. Write the worst poem you can. Take the pressure off.
Remember why you started. Did you create because you wanted fame, or because you enjoyed the process?
Set a deadline. Not a vague "someday," but a real one. "I’ll finish this sketch by 3 PM, even if it’s bad."
3. The Rut (When Your Routine Stops Working)
What it looks like:
You used to love working in the morning, but now you just stare at the wall.
You keep getting interrupted (family, chores, life) and can’t focus.
You feel like you’re going through the motions, but nothing sparks joy anymore.
Why it happens:
Brains like novelty. If your routine becomes too predictable, your creativity goes into hibernation.
How to wiggle free:
Switch up your schedule. If mornings aren’t working, try late-night creativity.
Protect your time. Tell people, "I’m working from 2-4 PM – please don’t interrupt unless the house is on fire."
Add a tiny new habit. Listen to a specific album while you work. Light a candle. Trick your brain into "creative mode."
4. The Life Avalanche (When Everything Else Gets in the Way)
What it looks like:
You’re dealing with stress, grief, or a big life change.
You want to create, but your brain is too full of other things.
You feel guilty for not being productive, which makes it worse.
Why it happens:
Creativity needs mental space. If your brain is full of Real Life, there’s no room left.
How to wiggle free:
Be kind to yourself. It’s okay to take a break. Creativity isn’t a moral obligation.
Use art as therapy. Doodle your feelings. Write angry nonsense in a journal. Don’t worry about making it "good."
Talk to someone. Sometimes, you need to process the big stuff before you can create again.
5. The Too-Muchness (When You’re Overwhelmed by Options)
What it looks like:
You have a million ideas but can’t pick one.
You jump between projects without finishing anything.
You feel guilty for not doing all the things.
Why it happens:
Choice paralysis. Your brain sees too many paths and freezes like a startled deer.
How to wiggle free:
Pick one thing at random. Literally flip a coin if you have to.
Set limits. "I’ll only work on this one project for the next week."
Delete distractions. Turn off the internet. Put your phone in another room. Reduce the noise.
The Unsexy Truth About Creative Block
Sometimes, you just have to wait it out. You can try all the tricks, read all the articles (hi), and still feel stuck. That’s normal. Creativity isn’t a machine – it’s more like weather. You can’t force the rain to stop, but you can learn to dance in it.
What to Do When Nothing Works
Step away. Seriously. Go for a walk. Take a nap. Let your brain reset.
Look at old work. Remind yourself that you’ve done this before. You’ll do it again.
Embrace the stuckness. Sometimes, the block is the work. Sit with it. Be curious.
You’re Not Broken
Creative block doesn’t mean failure – it’s the friction before motion. Like a train finding its rhythm after that initial jolt, the struggle is part of the journey forward.
That’s why I embrace being a work-in-progress. The messy middle isn’t an obstacle – it’s where the real work happens.
The only way out is to make the thing only you can make – even if it's bad. Especially if it's bad.
