How to Find Your Creative Spark Again
PC: Pinterest
In the last few months, I’ve been trying to find my spark again. I never would have guessed that it could take so long, or that the process would be so slow. After getting laid off in January, I figured I would need a month or two to refill the creative bucket that had been drained in the corporate world—but here I am, four months later, and only just starting to see a clear picture again. With much more time on my hands, I made it a priority to become more creative again. I wanted to write more on this website, film more Youtube videos, and figure out my personal style again. And although I can say that I’ve been decently productive at keeping my promise, I’ve noticed that I didn’t just want to make “more,” but vastly improve the quality of what I produce, too. There’s a big difference between spewing out content because you have to, and creating something from the heart. It’s the latter that I still struggle with, sometimes, and I’m trying to figure out what it takes to tap into the deepest part of my creative well and bring it to life. Here’s what I learned while trying to find my creative spark again.
1. Finding a balance between consuming and creating
Like all things in life, there’s a give and a take; an ebb and flow. Sometimes, I need to sit back, relax, and consume content. Other times I need to strap in and produce work. When I do too much of one or the other, I end up feeling drained or groggy. I learned that when my screen time is below 2.5 hours, then I feel the most awake and inspired—that’s my sweet spot. If I feel as though I’ve been chonking out article after video after photo, then I grab a cup of coffee and watch my favorite youtubers.
2. Keeping my screen time below 2.5 hours
I just mentioned this in the previous blurb, but keeping my phone’s screen time below 2.5 hours makes me feel the most awake and present. Although I consciously know that staying off my phone vastly improves my mental well-being, over and over again I fall victim to the doom-scrolling. It takes some effort to keep the phone away and sleep with it plugged on the other side of the room. Now I just say “no” when that desire to pick my phone up kicks in.
3. Picking and choosing the right content to consume
Good, inspiring content: Pinterest, Youtube, Vogue.com.
Content that leads to brain fog: Instagram.
I’m not saying that Instagram is bad, but it’s the number one thing that leads to my feeling tired and slow. It doesn’t inspire me, in other words. Whenever I feel the urge to doom-scroll, I make it a choice to doom-scroll on Pinterest instead, because this platform actually makes me feel inspired and creative. It also often gives me new article ideas for this website. I prefer slow over quick content, so watching a 15 minute Youtube video or reading a couple of articles on Vogue keeps my heart rate calm and steady.
4. Being more present
Ironically, trying to constantly create, capture, and work makes me feel less creative. Perhaps I’m doing it with the wrong mentality (I need to capture this so I can show someone). But putting the camera/phone down and actually taking in the view refuels my creative engine.
5. Write down everything I want to do, create, and achieve once a week
I am the most drained when I feel like I haven’t made any progress despite all the work I put in. To avoid feeling like a debby downer each and every time, I make it a point (about once a week) to re-journal my intentions. I say “re-journal,” because I’m not necessarily writing down anything new. I’m just checking in on myself, reminding me of the bigger picture, and inserting those aspirational images into my brain again. It acts as a creative fuel and motivator when I’m feeling drained, and helps me feel more aligned with my creative goals. In this same journaling session, I also make it a point to write down everything I’ve accomplished, because it’s important to be your own cheerleader, too.
