Running a creative business brings with it many ups and downs in your level of creative inspiration – I call this the Creative Cycle.

One aspect of this cycle is creative block – which can be incredibly frustrating and worrying, especially if it is your first time experiencing it.

In this episode I again chat with my friend Christina Lowry, who outlines some action steps that you can take to kick yourself out of a creative slump, while still honouring creative lulls as a natural part of the Creative Cycle.

 

 

Quotes and highlights from this Episode:

* Christina created a ‘How To’ for herself to help her deal with creative block.

* ‘Inspiration and action are not the same thing’ {Christina}

* Don’t start with a blank page

* This creates expectations and pressure.

* Just start making marks, get your hands and mind working.

* Make it a habit

* Make space in your day to be creative.

* There will always be a cycle in your business and your creativity.

* ‘You have to believe it will pass’ {Christina}

* Take a shower

* Take a shower or a bath, a long one, and lock the door.

* Have a notebook ready because taking that time to yourself will get the ideas flowing.

* Driving, sleeping, running, walking or knitting are all examples of activities that can get the ideas flowing.

* ‘Doing any kind of creative endeavour influences your creativity’ {Christina}

* Make something different

* Make something in a completely different medium to what you usually use.

* Make something you don’t have to sell.

* ‘Do something for your own fun and your own fulfilment’ {Jess}

* Look back through old sketchbooks

* Look at old ideas or designs to reignite some inspiring action.

* Maybe you have old designs that you didn’t have the means to make? Has this changed?

* Fill your well

* Self care cannot be a secondary thing.

* Never drain yourself. Self care should be a daily thing.

* Surround yourself with creative people

* Immerse yourself in others creativity.

* Use Prompts

* Prompts can help you open that creativity and smash the creative block.

* Step away

* If you aren’t being productive sometimes walking away is the best option.

* If it is making you angry or stressed walk away and come back to it later.

* Know that you are not your work

* It is not healthy to think you are a reflection of anything external to yourself.

* ‘You are not your work’ {Christina}

* The cycles will become easier to recognise the longer you are in business.

* Find Christina online at christinalowrydesigns.com

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