As creative people, we’re in a cycle of constant creation, whether that’s brainstorming new ideas, writing, drawing, arranging, blogging, we’re producing all the time. It’s absolutely amazing. But sometimes it can also be absolutely exhausting. For most of us, I think, there eventually comes a time when we run out of creative energy and the thought of even touching something creative is distasteful. At this point, it’s probably better to call it quits, take a break, and go away to recharge for a while.
Sometimes this means just stepping away from the computer for a few minutes for a breath of fresh air. Sometimes it means sleeping and eating and coming back refreshed the next day. And sometimes it means actively going away and filling our minds with new inspiration and ideas for a while. One of the best ways I’ve found to help myself through a period of creative burnout is to stop working and start consuming the creative works of other people for a bit.
Reading is one of my favourite ways to find new inspiration. There are so many good ideas to be found in books. So many good stories and people and characters, conversations and concepts. For me as a writer, this works particularly well, but sometimes enjoying something outside of your own medium can also shake something loose or inspire you. Likewise, watching movies or tv-shows. These are full of amazing ideas, and are a good source of more visual based inspiration, if that’s what you need.
It’s also a good idea to get out of your usual environment occasionally. It could be something as simple as taking a walk around the local streets, or through a nearby park. Or maybe visiting and different coffee shop for once. Maybe sitting on a bench and people watching for a bit will shake something look. Or you could go all out and visit an art gallery or museum or other place of interest.
And there are so many other options you could try. Take yourself on a solo date to the cinema. Listen to music, especially in a genre outside of your usuals. Talk to people. Hang around other creative people. People are the best sources of inspiration, especially if you start talking about something you’re both passionate about. Expose yourself to the thoughts, works and ideas of other people. Even if you don’t get hit by a sudden bolt of inspiration, your subconscious mind will be taking it all in and working through it to give you a creative boost later.
It’s never fun feeling creatively blocked or burnt out, unable to generate new ideas, or to feel excited about the work you’re doing. But taking a little time to rest and fill your mind with something outside of your own work can spark so much new enthusiasm and inspiration. If you’ve lost the enthusiasm for creating, your mind is a blank or you just feel exhausted at the thought of doing anything creative, step away for a little, do something different, consume the creative works of others, and that well of inspiration will fill right back up and leave you ready and excited to get back to work.
