Dream Big, Create Bigger: 10 Tips for Overcoming Creative Blocks

As a creative soul, I understand the struggle of staying motivated when it comes to crafting beautiful artwork. Let’s face it, there are times when inspiration seems to have gone on vacation, or the creative blocks seem to be building walls all around us. But fear not, my friend, for there are plenty of magical strategies that can help us reignite our passion and keep the artistic spark alive! Here are some tips I use myself, to help you keep your artistic spark alive:

Setting Goals:

Let’s talk about setting goals. It’s important to dream big, but it’s equally important to break down those big dreams into smaller, achievable goals. By doing so, you can watch yourself make progress towards artistic aspirations! So, start small and work your way up to the bigger picture.
Here are some steps you can take to break down your big artistic goals:

1. Start by identifying your big goal
Whether it’s creating a sculpture, designing a website, or writing a novel, figure out the bigger picture of what you want to achieve.

2. Break it down into smaller tasks
Once you have your big goal in mind, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Make a list of everything you need to do to achieve your goal.

3. Prioritize the tasks
Decide which tasks are most important and which ones can wait. This will help you focus on what needs to be done first.

4. Set deadlines:
Set specific deadlines for each task. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re making progress towards your goal.

5. Celebrate your progress
Finally, celebrate your achievements along the way! Each time you complete a task, take a moment to acknowledge your progress and feel proud of what you’ve accomplished.

Let me tell you a little story about how I used these exact steps to achieve my dream of selling my own animated TV show to a studio! It all started with a big audacious goal – I wanted to see my characters come to life on the small screen. But I quickly realized that in order to make that dream a reality, I needed to break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Step one: I identified my big goal. I knew I wanted to create an animated TV show, but I needed to get specific. What kind of show did I want to make? Who were the characters? What was the storyline? Once I had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve, I was ready to move on to step two.
Step two: I broke it down into smaller tasks. I made a list of everything I needed to do in order to create my show, from character designs to storyboards to pitch materials. It was a lot, but breaking it down into smaller chunks made it feel less overwhelming.
Step three: I prioritized the tasks. I knew some things needed to be done before others, so I focused on the most important tasks first. It was hard to resist the temptation to work on the fun stuff first, but I knew I needed to stay focused if I wanted to achieve my ultimate goal!
Step four: I set deadlines. This was a game-changer for me. By setting specific deadlines for each task, I was able to stay on track and hold myself accountable. Plus, there’s nothing like a good deadline to light a fire under your butt!
Step five: I celebrated my progress. This was the most fun part of the whole process! Every time I completed a task, no matter how small, I took a moment to celebrate my progress. Maybe it was a little dance party, or a treat from my favorite bakery, or just a moment of quiet reflection to acknowledge how far I’d come. Whatever it was, it helped me stay motivated and inspired to keep going.
By following these same steps, you can break down your big artistic goals into smaller, achievable tasks and make steady progress towards achieving your dreams!

Establish a Routine:

Regular practicing your craft is vital to keeping our creative juices flowing. By making art a part of your daily routine, you’re making a commitment to your craft and your creativity. Establishing a routine can also help you overcome procrastination and creative blocks.

1. To create a routine that works for you, consider factors like your work schedule, other commitments, and the time of day when you feel most inspired. Find a time that works best for you, whether it’s early in the morning or late at night, and try to stick to it. Remember, consistency is key! Whether you’re committing to creating art for 10 minutes a day or two hours, make sure you’re making it a part of your daily routine.
2. In addition to creating a routine, it’s also important to have a dedicated workspace where you can create without distractions. This can be a separate room, a corner of your living space, or even a desk in a shared workspace.
3. Oh, let me tell you about my secret to staying creative and motivated! I’ve found that the best time for me to work on my personal projects is in the early morning, before my work day begins – so that’s about 5am. I’ve set aside a chunk of time for myself to focus solely on my passion projects without any distractions or interruptions – because everyone is still asleep! It’s like my own little magical oasis of creativity!
4. By establishing a routine and dedicating a space for creating, you’re setting yourself up for success and ensuring that your artistic skills continue to grow.

Embrace New Challenges:

Let’s talk about embracing new challenges in your artistic journey! Trying out new mediums and techniques can be super exciting and refreshing for your creativity. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and feel like you’re not growing as an artist, so stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new possibilities can be incredibly rewarding.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes along the way. In fact, mistakes are often where the most interesting discoveries happen. Embrace the process and enjoy the journey of trying new things.
When it comes to trying new mediums or techniques, start small and work your way up. You don’t have to jump in headfirst into something completely new. Start by experimenting with a new brushstroke or a different color palette. As you gain more confidence, try a new medium or technique.
Another great way to challenge yourself is to participate in art challenges or competitions. These can be a great way to push yourself creatively and get feedback from other artists. Plus, they can be a lot of fun!
Remember, it’s important to keep things fresh and exciting in your artistic practice. By embracing new challenges and exploring new possibilities, you’re keeping your creativity alive and thriving. So, let’s go out there and try new things, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes!

Seek Inspiration:

Inspiration is essential to creating meaningful and impactful art. Luckily, inspiration is all around us! There are so many different ways to find inspiration and get our creative energy flowing.

One great way to find inspiration is to follow your favorite artists on social media. Seeing the work of other artists can be incredibly motivating and can give you new ideas for your own work – just don’t compare yourself to others! You can also join online artist communities where you can share your work and get feedback from other artists.

Visiting art museums is another fantastic way to find inspiration. Seeing the work of artists from different periods and cultures can broaden your perspective and inspire you to create something new and unique.

Reading books can also be a great way to find inspiration. And let’s not forget the inspiration that can be found in nature! Taking walks or hikes can be incredibly calming and can give you a chance to reflect and find inspiration in the natural beauty around you.

Personally, my biggest sources of inspiration come from nature, books, music, and animation. There’s just something about being surrounded by the trees that fills me with a sense of wonder and creativity. Taking a walk in the woods or even just sitting outside and listening to the birds can be incredibly inspiring.

When it comes to books, poetry is my go-to source of inspiration. There’s something about the rhythm and imagery of poetry that sparks new ideas in my mind. Maybe for you, it’s a graphic novel or a collection of short stories that really gets your creative energy flowing.

Listening to music brings out a lot of emotion for me. I can often be found crying while listening to music. It helps me channel my emotions into my art.

And let’s not forget about animation! It’s my absolute favorite medium of art because it brings together all my passions into one beautiful package. From stunning illustrations and mesmerizing music to captivating storytelling, animation has it all!

Join a Community:

Being part of a community can provide you with the support, motivation, and new perspectives you need to keep your creativity alive and thriving.

Attending art events is a great way to meet other artists and connect with like-minded individuals. These events can include art exhibitions, gallery openings, and artist groups. They offer an opportunity to network, get feedback on your work, and see what other artists are creating.

Online forums are another fantastic way to connect with other artists. You can join forums or groups on social media or dedicated art websites. These forums offer a chance to share your work, get feedback, and participate in discussions about art and creativity. Plus, they can be a great way to get inspired and learn new techniques.

Taking art classes is also an excellent way to join a community of artists. You’ll get to meet other students who share your passion for art and learn from experienced instructors. Art classes can also provide you with a structured environment to work on your craft and get feedback on your work.

Celebrating Your Progress:

It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection and forget to acknowledge our achievements along the way. Recognizing and celebrating your progress, no matter how small, can be incredibly motivating and help build your confidence as an artist.

One way to celebrate your progress is to keep a record of your achievements. This could be a journal where you jot down your accomplishments, a folder on your computer where you store your completed pieces or even creating a board on Pinterest. Whatever method you choose, make sure you take the time to appreciate your progress and acknowledge your hard work.

Another way to celebrate your progress is to reward yourself for your achievements. This could be as simple as treating yourself to a favourite snack or taking a day off to relax and recharge. Celebrating your progress doesn’t have to be extravagant, but it should be something that brings you joy and helps you stay motivated.

And remember, it’s important to celebrate even the small achievements. Every step you take towards your goals is progress, and progress should be celebrated! By recognizing your achievements, you’ll build your confidence and stay motivated to keep creating.

Take Breaks:

As an artist, it’s easy to get caught up in the creative process and forget to take care of yourself. But rest is crucial to keeping your artistic soul thriving and your creative juices flowing.

One way to take a break is to step away from your art and engage in a different activity that brings you joy and inspiration. This could be as simple as taking a walk outside, reading a book, or listening to music. By doing something different, you give your brain a chance to recharge and reset.

Another way to take a break is to schedule regular downtime into your routine. This could be a day off every week, a long weekend every month, or a vacation once a year. Whatever schedule works for you, make sure you take the time to rest and rejuvenate your mind and body.

For me, whenever I feel frustrated or stuck with my art, I know it’s time to take a break. I’ll go for a leisurely walk, take a relaxing bath, or curl up with a good book in the sun. Sometimes, my husband and I will even take a day off on Fridays to spend quality time together and do things we enjoy.

And remember, taking breaks doesn’t mean you’re being lazy or unproductive. In fact, rest is essential to your creative process! By taking care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to tackle new challenges and create art that truly reflects your artistic vision.

Stay Organized:

As an artist, your workspace is your creative sanctuary, but a cluttered workspace can be overwhelming and demotivating. By keeping your workspace tidy and organized, you can help reduce stress and stay focused on your art.

Oh boy, let me tell you, I am a total neat freak when it comes to my art space. I mean, I get giddy just thinking about the perfect storage bins to organize my supplies. But here’s the thing, as much as I love to keep everything in order, I gotta admit that sometimes I struggle with naming my files. I mean, who hasn’t been guilty of using names like “Final.psd,” “FinalFinal.psd,” and “FinalFinalFinally.psd”? It’s like I’m playing an endless game of finals, and it’s not so funny when I’m trying to find a specific file in the middle of a creative frenzy. But hey, at least my storage bins are colour coded, right?

One way to stay organized is to declutter your workspace regularly. This means getting rid of any items you don’t need or use, and finding a designated spot for everything else. By eliminating excess clutter, you create a more spacious and calming environment that allows you to focus on your art.

Another way to stay organized is to use storage solutions that work for you. This could be a set of shelves, storage bins, or a pegboard to hang your supplies. Whatever method you choose, make sure it’s easily accessible and that it helps you stay organized and focused.

And remember, staying organized isn’t just about your physical workspace. You can also keep your digital workspace organized by creating folders for your files and photos, and using software to help you manage your art and stay on top of deadlines.

Practice Self Care:

As an artist, your emotional and mental well-being is just as important as your artistic skills. Creating art can be a fulfilling and joyful experience, but it can also be emotionally draining. That’s why it’s important to practice self-care to maintain motivation and creativity in your artistic journey.

One of the most important aspects of self-care is getting enough rest. Adequate sleep is essential to your physical and emotional health, and it can help you feel refreshed and energized for your creative pursuits.

Eating well and staying hydrated is also key to maintaining your physical health, which in turn can positively impact your mental health. Fuelling your body with nutritious foods and plenty of water can help you feel more energized and focused when creating art.

Exercise is another important aspect of self-care. Regular physical activity can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy levels, all of which can benefit your artistic practice.

And finally, taking care of your mental health is crucial to maintaining motivation and creativity. This could mean taking breaks when needed, practicing mindfulness or meditation, seeking support from loved ones, or seeking professional help if necessary.

Every day, I make sure to do at least one thing just for me. Sometimes that means taking a bubble bath or other times, I’ll go on a solo walk.

But that’s not all! Exercise is also a huge part of my self-care routine. Some days, I’ll do a hardcore, sweaty workout that leaves me feeling like a superhero. Other days, I just putter around the house and try to move my body in whatever way feels good, whether that’s dancing in my living room or doing squats while I’m waiting for my tea to steep.

Remember, practicing self-care is not selfish, it’s essential! By taking care of yourself physically and mentally, you’ll be better equipped to create the art that brings you joy and fulfillment.

Remember Why You Started:

As an artist, it’s important to always stay connected to the passion and purpose that inspired you to start creating art. When facing creative blocks, lack of motivation, or other challenges, it can be easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. But by remembering your why, you can stay motivated and inspired to keep creating.

Take some time to reflect on what inspired you to start creating art. Was it a desire to express yourself, tell a story, or make a difference in the world? Whatever it was, keep that passion and purpose at the forefront of your mind. This can help you stay focused on what truly matters, even when faced with challenges.

When you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, remind yourself of the impact your art can have. Think about the people who have been touched by your work, or the positive feedback you’ve received. This can help you regain your motivation and perspective.

For me, creating art has always been a form of therapy. It helps me process my emotions and feelings and has been a lifeline during some of the hardest times in my life. I also create art to connect with others and share my experiences, hoping to make them feel less alone.

Whenever I’m feeling blocked or unmotivated, I remind myself of why I started creating art in the first place. It was a way for me to express myself and make a difference in the world, even if it’s just one person at a time. And I know that my art has made an impact on others, whether it’s brought them joy, comfort, or a sense of belonging.

So, always remember why you started creating art, and let that passion and purpose guide you on your creative journey.

You got this!

I hope these tips have been helpful to you in unlocking the secret to creative success! Remember, setting achievable goals, establishing a routine, embracing new challenges, seeking inspiration, and being part of a community can all help you overcome creative blocks and achieve your dreams. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and most importantly, have fun along the way! So go forth and create, my friend, and let your artistic spark shine bright.