Feeling stuck? Trying to regain your creativity? It could be that the negative emotions you are feeling are causing a creative block.
This happened to me recently, in my writing practice. My goal was to post a blog at least once a month, and eventually once a week. But I was already putting all my creativity into my work and my Master’s program. I got overzealous and stressed out, which led to negativity. Once I regained control of my emotions, I was able to ground myself.
I’m still struggling to write once a week, but it will get easier as I regain creativity and make it a habit. But I know that every little bit counts toward building my creative muscle. Even if it’s just one sentence, it will help me get back into the habit of writing regularly again, which will help me continue building that muscle.
Everyone goes through creative blocks, but they don’t have to be a permanent part of your life. If you’re feeling stuck, try these tips:
5 tips to regain your creativity
1. Identify what you’re feeling
Be honest with yourself on how you are feeling. Label your emotions to recognize a particular feeling. For example, if you feel frustrated, ask yourself why you feel this way and what the underlying cause is. These feelings can be discouraging when trying to regain your creativity or stay productive.
Feeling uninspired, fatigued, and low on motivation is nothing new. We all have our mental ups and downs. The key is not letting those bad days define us. When looking at why we are having a bad time and how we can get out of a rut there are many factors that play into how we feel. The first step is to simply admit that there’s something wrong.
Never be afraid of asking yourself why you feel the way you do. Use a variety of mediums to ground yourself and support creative thinking. I like to use this printable mood tracker, but even a pen and paper will suffice. Write down notes or even just doodle during breaks throughout the day (be playful!).
In this state, keeping a journal may help so that when you’re back in reality, everything will feel fresh!
2. Assess your emotions
Deal with negativity by acknowledging it. Assess what exactly is making you feel the way that you are. Emotions are tough, don’t try to fight them– accept them as they come.
Having negative emotions does not mean something is wrong with you or the world. It means that this is what’s going on for you right now. They’re part of being human and experiencing the world. You can find it hard to accept, especially if everyone told you to “get over it.” But there’s nothing wrong with feeling negative emotions– and in fact, it’s important that we do!
Our negative emotions are our internal systems’ way of telling us something isn’t right. So when you feel anger or sadness, then something in your life needs adjusting. And when you don’t fix it, your negative emotions will keep coming back until they’re fixed.
If these feelings linger, it may be beneficial to seek professional help from a therapist. They can help pinpoint underlying causes of negativity.
Remember: There is nothing wrong with you even though you may feel that way! It just means this is what’s going on for YOU right now—and that’s okay
3. Change your surroundings
By changing your physical surroundings, you can also alter your mindset. This can mean anything from taking a walk around the block, going for a drive, or even just spending some time at home rearranging furniture.
When I’m in a bit of a funk, I’ll take a stroll along Seaport Village in San Diego. The scenery always cheers me up, and it’s a good site to people-watch. Since I work remotely, I try to get out of the house every now and then. I’ll work at the local coffee shop whenever my work doesn’t demand intense focus.
If you’re feeling stuck, go to your favorite destination or try a new place you’ve always wanted to visit. This will give you a fresh perspective on things and help you regain creativity in your work!
4. Make recovery a priority
The most important thing you can do is to recover. If you’re feeling down and out, make time for self-care and relaxation. This doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult– in fact, it doesn’t even have to take up much of your day. Try going for coffee with a friend or relaxing at home with some tea, or planning an hour each week to read in bed.
In a particularly difficult week, I began to feel my mental health deteriorating. Then I heard the news about the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. That’s when I chose to stay away from social media for a while, particularly Reddit. I still browse Twitter for #marketingtwitter, but Reddit is a cesspool of negativity. I would religiously scroll through my feed and that would contribute to my low moods. My last visit to Reddit was a week ago and I’m so much lighter. I am not in a rush to jump back on, and I don’t know when I will return.
Plan breaks from social media. I can’t escape it completely because it’s part of my job, but this is the easiest way to recover. Make breaks a routine and habitual. Otherwise, it’s easy for those old habits will creep back in.
5. Surround yourself with positivity
This might sound obvious, but it’s important. Don’t spend time around people who are “negative Nancy’s”. If you find yourself around people who are constantly complaining and bringing you down, create some distance. Limit your contact with them. If they live in the same house as you, keep interactions to a minimum. Wear headphones if you have to.
Better yet, leave the house and surround yourself with positive people. People like this will support you and assist you as you work back to regain your creativity. Let their positivity influence your own thinking.
If you’re the culprit, avoid spending too much time dwelling on negative thoughts or situations. Instead, focus on what makes YOU feel good! Do things that fill your mind with positive energy like:
- Begin your day with a positive affirmation
- Be kind to someone
- Listen to music that bring back good memories
- Plan a road trip with a partner or a group
- Surround yourself in nature
- Watch a funny movie with friends (Forgetting Sarah Marshall is an instant mood booster for me!)
- Basically anything that brings you joy!
You can regain your creativity if you reduce the power of negative thoughts and emotions.
Take control now
Negative thoughts and emotions are normal. But thoughts and emotions are not reality. You can control how you react to them.
You are the author of your own story: it’s up to you what happens in your life, whether it’s good or bad! Your thoughts and emotions will change throughout your life; they aren’t facts—they’re just one part of a larger picture that’s constantly shifting as you grow and evolve as a person (and they’re usually not even accurate).