It’s hard to be creative when you feel uninspired. If you are a writer, blogger, professional, or any type of creative, you know what I mean.
Since the start of the year, my creative flow has been moving along nicely. As a result, I was making progress towards my 2020 vision. However, the world suddenly came to a halt. Before I knew it, my state was under a shelter-in-place order. And, while I appreciate the plans put in place to save my life and the lives of others, the truth was that I felt cut off from the world.
All of my well-thought-out plans had to wait while I watched the world around me change. Without hesitation, I turned my attention to taking care of my family, friends, and neighbors.
After helping people find the information they wanted or the food and supplies they needed, I realized I needed to get back to my 2020 goals.
But how? My mind was consumed with the world around me. As a result, my creative flow took a hit. I had to find my creative groove.
This post outlines the seven steps I took to regain control of my creative flow.
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How to be more creative when you feel uninspired
Turn to other writers for inspiration.
Reading books by other writers is a great way to find inspiration. While I am a big fan of mysteries, I decided to explore a variety of genres. One of the books it turned to was a DiAnn Mills romantic suspense novel, Fatal Strike. The story is about a killer on the loose in Galveston, Texas, using a fatal injection of snake venom to take down law enforcement officials.
This book got my creative juices flowing. Here’s a list of the other books I read:
Our Witness to the World: Equipping the Church for Evangelism and Social Impact by Tony Evans
The Esther Anointing: Becoming a Woman of Prayer, Courage, and Influence Kindle Edition by Michelle McClain
Heal Your Self With Journaling Power by Mari L. McCarthy
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need by Jessica Brody.
Poilâne: The Secrets of the World-Famous Bread Bakery by Apollonia Poilâne
Use the cross-fertilization method to find inspiration
No matter what type of writer you are, it’s essential to feed your creative curiosity by listening to others. The cross-fertilization method involves listening to someone from industries or professions not related to yours. The key is hearing different perspectives on business or life.
Therefore, I found an article in Entrepreneur magazine highlighting Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia’s plan to revamp Dwayne’s career. Their strategy: rethink everything! The article was so inspiring. As a result, I developed a new presentation to help people prepare for the next chapter of their lives (see also ‘How To Plan For The Next Chapter Of Your Life‘).
Shift your writing space
Do you write in the same place every time you write? In the early days of building my writing routine, I would write in the same place. However, once I was in quarantine, I felt unmotivated to write in the same place every day. For inspiration, I tried writing in different areas around my house. It worked! Moving from one side of the room to the other helped me to explore new ideas while writing.
Join other writers virtually
If you cannot collaborate with other writers face-to-face, take advantage of opportunities to meet virtually. I am a big fan of Jeff Goins and his writing journey. On Friday, March 20, Jeff held a free digital meetup for writers and creatives. Using Zoom, Jeff encouraged everyone to work on one thing they had been struggling to start. Being in the virtual meeting room with other creatives was so motivating. I actually finished writing a client blog post ahead of schedule.
Use mind mapping to brainstorm new ideas
A mind map is a chart that visually displays ideas. While some people like to create mind maps using notebook paper and pens, I like using an online mind mapping tool called MindMeister. Once you decide which tool to use, here’s how mind mapping works:
1) Write the topic in the middle of your paper or screen.
2) Draw lines that point away from the center. Each line expresses one thought or idea related to the subject. Use keywords to write these ideas onto each line.
3) From each line, add more ideas. There is no limit to the number of levels in a mind map.
4) Use pictures, colors, and icons to help bring your map to life.
Mind mapping was an excellent way for me to explore new ideas. Below is one mind map I started for a book idea.
Write Your Way Free
Freewriting is a good exercise to get the creative juices flowing. During a freewriting session, I set a timer for a certain amount of time like 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Once the timer goes off, I give myself a 5 or 10-minute break. When I write for 45 minutes, I take a 15-minute break. During a freewriting session, I sometimes write about a specific topic or use a writing prompt. With freewriting, I don’t worry about editing, grammar or punctuation. From start to finish, I just write and don’t stop.
Keep a gratitude journal
I am a firm believer in the power of journaling. Not only can journaling help you deal with your emotions, but it can also help change your mindset about every aspect of your life. Being in quarantine was an excellent opportunity for me to write about a variety of things. Writing in my gratitude journal helped me put everything in perspective. I was able to write about the things that I was most grateful for like waking up every morning. As part of your journaling practice, you can use loose-leaf paper or a regular notebook. I love using a variety of journals and notebooks, including the Erin Condren Petite Gratitude Journal.
My time in quarantine has taught me the importance of cultivating creativity. Staying creative for life requires the constant pursuit of new ideas and fresh viewpoints.
What do you think? How are you nurturing and cultivating your creativity?
Share your thoughts in the comments section.
