How to Stay Motivated as a Creative

I hate creative block.

Sometimes I’ll sit down at my laptop or I’ll pick up my camera and find absolutely nothing. It’s frustrating to go around in circles and feel like a failure because you can’t create, even though you’re ‘really good at art!’

Sometimes, art isn’t good to you.

And as someone who struggles with this problem frequently, I’ve found that infinite lists of ‘Things to make when you’re burnt out’ don’t seem to quite take hold. I find that since I practice many different forms of art, it’s easy for me to say I’m fed up with Crochet so I’m going to paint today. But this lands me with a dozen unfinished projects at any one time.

So, here are the steps I take myself through in order to make sure that I stay in love with a project, or that I can get straight on with the next one.

The ‘S’ Model

On longer projects, like plays and filmmaking, there’s a model called the S model.:

This is my diagram of the ‘S’ model, it demonstrates the energy and payoff of a project. An issue that many people have is that when they reach the peak of their project, they decide to enjoy the high of a successful performance or exhibition, whatever it might be. This means that they wait until thei energy is dipping again before moving onto the next thing. By the time your energy has dropped, a new project feels like a lot of stress, it doesn’t feel ‘worth it’.

My first tip is to come up with your next ideas when you’re right at the top of that ‘S’ shape, where the blue circle is. The motivation from finishing a project can be just the thing you need to seek that creativity again.

Dopamine Menu

If there’s a certain style of art that you really enjoy making, activities that you really enjoy doing around your art, etc. then make yourself a dopamine menu. If you haven’t heard of this before, it’s a short ‘menu’ of items that you enjoy doing for when you’re having decision paralysis.

I’ve split my personal dopamine menu into Starters (15 minute tasks), Mains 1-2 hour tasks), and Dessert (A reward for completing other tasks). This means that if I’m sat at my desk and can’t bring myself to decide what to do, the menu gives me a choice of activities that I know will pay off, even if I don’t feel like doing them at first.

Keeping Physical Motivators

Having pictures, posters, your phone background, etc. be something that inspires you is a great way to get low doses of inspiration. I buy a lot of art prints at craft fairs and have them hung up in a gallery wall. Sometimes, when inspiration just isn’t hitting, I force myself to sit and stare and take one thing away from one of those pieces that I can use for my own art.

I find that it helps to buy from all different types of artists, photographers, and creatives to broaden your intake and have more to work with. Watching a new movie, even going to a new place can all be inspirations as long as you go out mindfully.

Mixing Media

I often find that if I’m getting fed up with a project or I don’t know what to start, it’s because I’m feeling bored with the form and want to try something new. For me, a great way to mix it up and find my inspiration again is to combine art forms. Take a photo and draw over it digitally. Crochet a bag and then bead charms for it. Paint a picture and lino print over that. Mixing media is one of the best ways to not only get your groove back, but also to diversify your portfolio and show experimentation. It’s a great way to learn adaptability and build new skills.

Making Something Ugly

Perfection is cruel. I know it’s hard for a lot of people (myself included) to let go of perfectionism and find acceptance in the ugly, so make something that’s meant to be ugly. I’m a big fan of the artist Paloma the Peach, whose work deliberately looks sketchy and unrefined. It’s beautiful, but it’s not perfect. And I think that’s really important in finding your style; make something fun, make something ugly, add layers you wouldn’t normally add, and then figure out how to make the ugly look good.

This encourages you to look less at the refinement process, and more at the tools you’re using, colour palettes, and the way you approach your creative process.

Don’t Create.

One of the best ones for me when I know that I should be working on something is to force myself not to. Sometimes I have the drive to sit at my desk and work, but when I sit there, I have no idea what to work on. So I get up and I force myself to sit on the sofa and do absolutely nothing. I’ve meditated, gone for a shower or bath, even made a run to the shop. Do something really boring and mundane, but mindful. Keep it in your head that once you’ve done this thing, you won’t be bored anymore because you’ll be creating.

Boredom is the father of creativity.

Look in your WIPs

For me, a lot of the reason I find it hard to pick up a new project is because I have so many on the go already. So by cleaning up my WIP pile, I find it easier to seek out new things to make. Sometimes this doesn’t work. I have to frog old projects, or put them back down again, but being aware of them, completing them, and keeping them in mind when trying to think of ideas, can really help boost whatever I’m currently working on.

Currently, I’m writing this blog post because I have a creative block. I know exactly what projects I should be working on, but I’ve just been ill and can’t quite bring myself to work on them yet. In the meantime, I’m hoping that passing on these messages will help motivate me moving forwards. Wish me luck!

All the best,

Jae