My 10 tips to stay creative

As a creative maker I love to be creative and craft and make things. But there are moments that nothing comes out on paper, and I don’t know what I’ll create next. Oops… a creative block!

Creativity is like a little seed. It has to grow and you have to give it thought and attention. If you don’t give it some TLC (tender loving care), it will die. But if you keep watering the little seed, give it some love and sunshine, you’ll grow it into a plant. It’s the same with creativity.

So it’s the same like giving your car some maintenance… How I do it? Here are my 10 tips to stay creative:

1. Keep your creative space tidy

The hardest part for me. I’m quite chaotic and it can get really messy (and dusty) sometimes! When I’m a bit stuck, sometimes I just start cleaning up and sweeping away the dust. That helps me to have some clean space in my head as well. So keeping your creative space tidy, is having a clearer mind as well!

2. Sign up for a course or workshop

Sometimes it helps to learn something new, do a workshop and be busy with something else. Inspiration can strike again when you’re doing something completely different or have a fresh take on what you were doing. You’re training your brains, learning new things and that will help you get the motivation again to pick up where you left. Right now I’m doing the Good Ship Illustration Business Course - I finally want to take myself more serious in my illustration journey, and see where it leads me!

3. Create an inspiration/vision board

Every year I’m putting stuff on my vision board that I want to focus on that year. I’m hanging it somewhere I can see it every day (in my bedroom) and seeing it everyday really gives me the reminder and focus to what’s important to me. Working towards goals will give you a little boost on keeping busy and going after your dreams!

4. Use your sketch book or an art journal

A sketchbook or an art journal is the perfect way to experiment but also to write and sketch down every idea that pops into your mind. The old fashioned way with pencil on paper will sometimes help more to let go of negative thoughts and just get those creative juices flowing.

5. Try something new

Experiment. Do something you haven’t tried before. And be open to failing at it, big time. Something I still need to learn, because I sometimes get too tight and the perfectionist side of me kicks in. But know that when you tried it, and you didn’t like it… No problemo: at least you learned something from it.

6. Surround yourself with ‘like-minded’ people

It also helps to surround yourself with creative people. Talk with them, bounce off some ideas. You never know where it leads you, but it always helps you grow.

7. Move!

I used to be lazy, but this year I’ve been going out for walks on a regular basis. Moving your body always stimulates your happy hormones! And it will also give you the motivation to pick up where you left - starting to paint with a fresh head after a walk with your dog is just wonderful!

8. Travel

You don’t need to travel around the world. Go on a short trip or a weekend in your own country or just a day at the beach is also fine. Just discovering new places and corners is always a nice idea. Who knows which colour combination you’ll discover next?

9. Just do it

Nike is screaming it at us for years. Instead of dreaming about it, just do it. Don’t be like me and dream for years about how I wanted to do something with my creativity. Until I really started doing more of it, taking pictures of it and sharing more on my social media. I’m still learning, but I’m tackling my fear every day bit by bit. So trust me when I say, just do it.

10. Don’t be bothered

When you’re without inspiration and in a creative rut, don’t worry about it. Just take it as a sign that you need to take a break and do something else. The more you can’t be bothered with it, the more sooner it will come back - your drive to create. Especially when you don't worry about it. When you start worrying, you’ll end up in a vicious cycle and that’s what we don’t need. So don’t be bothered - enjoy the time off and start fresh next week!

Do you have any more tips on staying creative? Let me know in the comment section below!