Life

How to Break Out of a Creative Slump

by Olivia

I don’t know about you, but recently I have been in the worst creative slump. I’ve found it so hard to focus and get creative on my blog. And it’s truly one of the most frustrating things. I can’t even imagine how hard it is for people who blog as their full time job and feel like this. Because it’s either they suck it up and figure it out or they don’t make money. I’m sure so many of you will relate to the way I am feeling, and I know I’m not alone in feeling like this.

I know alot of external factors can affect creativity. I mean just take a look at the world right now, thats enough to ruin anyones creativity. Mental health also plays a big part in this too, and just general wellbeing. When everything in your life is properly aligned, then so will your thinking.

This post is as much for me as it is for you. I want to know how to get me out of this creative slump and get back to it. So today, lets both get into the creative spirit and learn how we can get back into it!

FIGURE OUT YOUR WHY

I think one of the most important things to get out of your creative slump, is figuring out why you’re feeling like this in the first place. Whats going on around you, or in your life to make you feel like this? Identify those things and take action to resolve them. As already mentioned, mental health and wellbeing can really have an impact on your creativity levels. It’s important that we get that right, before trying to force ourselves to create when we really don’t want to.

Some of the things I’ll be doing to combat my creativity slump is taking time off. Which I know sounds counter productive but actually taking time away allows you to re-charge. I often forget that I post 4+ times a week, which is so much. Nobody can keep going for that long. Changing up my schedule will probably be another one too. I’m slowly learning to reduce how many times I post to make sure that I’m not using up all my creativity.

What will you do differently to help get you out of your creative slump?

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GO EASY ON YOURSELF

It can be really frustrating when you’re feeling unmotivated and uninspired. But, remember you are human and remember to go easy on yourself. We are not machines that are meant to run 24/7 – although I’m sure the world would like for us to be that way. As a blogger I know I put pressure on myself to achieve certain goals so quickly, when in reality there is no rush. I am my own boss and I decide how things are run here.

We all lead such busy lives, that we often forget to take time to do things a little slower. The last year has really taught me that we should go a pace slower in life. We all ran around like headless chickens, going to work and other obligations we had before covid, and the pandemic really forced us to slow down. I think we needed it. So be sure to not overload yourself.

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DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT

I have found that when I’m lacking creativity, it’s because I have overdone it. I have spent too long doing the same thing and my mind has got bored. Switching it up and doing something different can really help to excite you. It really helps to get your creative juices flowing again too. Remember that we must be stimulated, and if we do the same things over and over again we are eventually going to get bored. And I think thats a lot of the issue I have. I have been doing the same thing over and over that my brain gets fed up and bored and wants something new.

I of course don’t know what you creative slump is, but whatever it is you do creativity try to do something different. Hey, you never know you might find your new writing or art style in the process.

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Are you in a creative slump? What do you do to get out of it? What tips do you have that you could share?

If you are in your own creative slump, I am right there with you friend. We can get through it together though! We can overcome!

Olivia x
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65 thoughts on “How to Break Out of a Creative Slump”

  3. When I am lacking creativity I go through my old blog posts, read magazines, even sometimes Pinterest helps me, I prefer my notes in phone where I keep my thoughts whenever I get some ideas I make sure I write and finally a story from my personal life experiences has a lot of creativity. Creativity plays a major role in blogging. Great Post Olivia 🙂

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  4. I’m also at the “What’s the point? “stage, and so I’ve stopped blogging and turned my attentions elsewhere. Photography is a big hobby of mine which I use to complement my blogs, and although I’m not allowed to travel outside of my area at the moment, I’m using the time to sort through and scan old photographs from the pre-digital age. Hopefully when I get the buzz back again I’ll be able to put them to good use in a blog or two.

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  8. Sorry to hear that you are in a slump. I know you will shake it off soon though because you always have great posts!

    Many of my blog topics come from ideas I get as I go about my day at home. Although, I noticed that I seem to get new (more outside the box) ideas for my blog when I branch away from my normal routine. After starting some new hobbies I came up with a whole list of new ideas.

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  9. Great ideas! You are not alone in a slump for I have felt the same too the past months due to my busy work schedules. I seldom post on my blog but everytime I feel like I don’t know what to share I feel like I am inside the box as well and that my cteativity needs to work again. So I look around me and observe people or the things that we deal everyday and then come up with a sudden idea😊

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  10. What a well thought through analysis Olivia, about what is actually occurring when stumbling over ourselves to then make sense of those countless societal happenings which interrupt and subsequently then block, our creativity to engage. It’s absolutely true, taking some time out is crucial. For every hour at the keyboard, it’s imperative to step away for five or ten minutes from the addictiveness of the screen, for there really isn’t any rush to create.

    A blogger might expound those virtues for their readership, followers if you like, to then heed the considerations proffered to them, but unless you can lay aside everything going on around you, it really would be pointless and would clearly show those exact poor practices you would have painfully already learnt from and would like others to be aware of, for them to then avoid doing themselves.

    An archer, it is said, has many strings to their bow and for good reason, because not all skirmishes are at close quarters. Choosing the right one, just as you might on the correct tone in the message being conveyed, saves on both time and effort, thus negating those anticipated mistakes.

    If only I could be a library and have everything there was to know available instantaneously, what use might I therefore have for spontaneity? Incredibly there does not exist a library that has every available text at it’s disposal and for although they remain fonts for knowledge, they are nevertheless limited and dare I say it, imperfect but we don’t dismiss them for such shortcomings, so why do we denigrate ourselves.

    Perfection is something recognised only in exceptional circumstances and whilst we may want to emulate such distinction, don’t punish yourself for falling short on having given it a go, instead congratulate yourself for daring to dream and on learning more about you and on the reality of this occasionally awful world we live in.

    We are creativity personified and don’t you dare forget it. The stars can’t be reached but the sky’s don’t limit us either because there’s space enough for all kinds of stuff when stretching our horizons.

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  11. I feel you. We are in this creative slump together. I think as bloggers we pressure ourselves too much especially when we have so many other commitments. Finding the right balance between creating and our other obligations is important so that we don’t feel overwhelmed.

    Taking a break, changing your schedule, and trying something new are wonderful ideas for getting out of a slump. I think understanding the cause of the slump is most important I think. If you know why then you can try to find a solution.

    I would love to see what your blogging schedule looks like Olivia. I have a thing about schedules, persons routines always fascinates me. I’m curious to know how other creatives fit their work-life into their week.

    Thank you for sharing.

    PS: I absolutely recommend getting Olivia’s SEO guide. She explains it in an easy and concise manner. I learned things that I never even considered. 😊

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  13. Thanks for a great post. Taking it easy on yourself (we’re hardest on ourselves aren’t we?) and giving yourself permission to change up the schedule were life savers for me. By taking the pressure off myself I was able to breathe again and the creative juices started flowing again. Such a great reminder. Thank you.

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  17. Yeah, the world right now and my iffy future is enough to bring me down. I put on some headphones, find a comfortable spot outside under the shade and try not to think for as long as I can :/
    Amazing post, thanks for the advice!

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  21. I think when we are in a creative slump we can let ourselves loose in appreciating creativity of other people for some time and understanding that break is very important. If you have been working too hard for too long it will make you feel burnt out and hence creative slump. I take a break reading and relishing other people blogs with a calming attitude. And also playing guitar helps me a lot. Creative slump can only be broken by being creative but may be somewhere else.😀

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  23. My slump start when I had knee surgery. It disrupted my entire routine. I’m hanging in there and trying to get my momentum back.

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  25. Pingback: How to Break Out of a Creative Slump – Aliexpress Shopping

  27. I’ve found perfectionism to be my utmost enemy over the years. But once you realize the struggle, it becomes that much easier finding ways to conquer it! 🙂 Great read.

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  29. Pingback: How to Break Out of a Creative Slump - Accompagnement d affaires

  30. It was such a relatable post. Normally when I get into a creative slumps, I read books and try to change the plot by tweaking a little bit, and it has always helped. Also, loved the hope that this post is spreading❤

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  36. Pingback: How To Stand Out As A Lifestyle Blogger - Olivia Lucie Blake

  37. Thanks for sharing! I’m in a bit of a slump at the mo. I tend to put pressure on myself to always be productive and it saps the joy out of things. But then I also think it’s important to keep showing up, in some form, however you feel. It’s a tricky balance…

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