How To 02: Ten Tips To Get Rid of Creative Blocks
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 12:56AM 
We've all had bouts of creative block. Sometimes they come when we're so excited about a project that we don't want to mess it up and other times it comes when you want nothing more than just to create. Everyone once in a while in sneaks up as an overwhelming urge to just do nothing. Here's how to beat it deadline or not.
1. Get out of the house. I usually grab a coffee or take some tea with me and head over to the Socrates Sculpture Park. Sometimes I hit the Noguchi Museum, but not all of us live near parks and museums. So take a walk down the street, hop in your car, take the bus, train wherever and just enjoy the outdoors. Get a coffee at the local cafe or if you really don't have much time quickly run to the grocery store and grab yourself a lemon for some lemon water. For those of you (sometimes me) who are not as healthy there's always Red Bull.
2. Stop worrying and dive right in. Sometimes you care about a project so much that you automatically freeze your own creative juices with fear that you'll mess up. Don't worry so much and just get to work. If you mess up, you mess up, just start over again. I've gotten to the point that I just don't care anymore if I mess up. Usually the start over gives you a whole new headspace. You've already gotten the junk out. Now go be brilliant.
3. Change media. Most of my narcissistic self-portraits are done in times when I need to switch gears and be creative in a different way.
4. Make a file or a blog of images that inspire you. I was so inspired by my friend Aemen's "Dreams are Real" that I decided to make my own. It worked out so well that I've been doing it as a way to release stress and bring myself into that mode of pure magic and wonder. You know the feeling. There's nothing like getting lost in your own work.
5. Scribble. It works.
6. Take a class you never considered before, or something you've always wanted to do. The action of leaving your house and doing something with a group of people can really jumpstart that engine.
7. Take a breather. Maybe your creative block is telling you that you've burned yourself out for the moment. Slow down and read a book or watch a movie. Sometimes the simplest act of just breathing and taking a moment is all you need.
8. If you can't create then market yourself. I find the times that I can't get those pieces flowing are usually the best time for me to send emails, network, and find new venues for art. Go with the flow and you'll find your rythm.
9. Blast music and dance. One of the reasons I love Sherene so much is that she really pulls me out of my hole sometimes. There's nothing like dancing in a studio on the night of a full moon to really get that spark going.
10. Research other artists work. Browse blogs and websites. You never know when inspiration may hit you.
Silly photo booth photos are often a great way to get rid of any creative blockage and the washed out b/w makes anyone look good. How can you go wrong?
creative blocks in How To 
Reader Comments (2)
Thank you for posting this! It's so good to have these reminders and I SO agree with so much of it. :)
Weee Thank you! Yeah, I go through my moments too so it's good to have little things to boost us back up.