How to Get through a Creative Slump

Have you ever had a week (or even a month) where you felt uncreative, uninspired, and generally unimpressed with everything you are doing?

We’ve all been there. For me, it usually happens after I finish a big project (and sometimes when I am in the middle of one. uh oh.). You never know when it is going to hit. But it will. Trust me. EVERYONE goes through periods where they feel a lack of creativity. Even in the people you admire most- you know, the ones that you think are immune to that sort of thing because they are so dang awesome. Yep, it happens to them too.

But not to worry. I happen to think that the slumps are part of the process. The downturns are what allow for upturns. Right? So, with that in mind, here are a few suggestions I have for making it through a creative slump…

1. Let it go.

Holding onto the fact that you aren’t feeling especially inspired isn’t going to make things any better. So once you’ve acknowledged that you have a little somethin’, somethin’ to work out, do your best to let it go! Freeing yourself from that bogged down feeling you get when you are in a slump might be the very thing that clears your mind up for inspiration again. And if not, no worries- move on to tip #2.

2. Skip out.

Skip out on work early one day (if you can) and do something fun. There are no rules as to what ‘that thing’ should be. Just something that makes you happy and preferrably something that is unrelated to your work. Go to an afternoon movie. Take a hike with your dog. Go shopping. Just do something. Getting out of ‘work mode’ for a bit can really help and the change of environment is good for your mind.

3. Make a date with friends.

Invite a friend out to lunch and get chatty. Don’t be shy. Let her know your situation and ask her what she’s been inspired lately. Who knows. It might just spark something in you too. FYI – A phone call (or google hangout) will work just fine if you can’t meet up in person. I schedule online hangouts with long distance blog friends at least once a week. It really helps! Your friends will always be there to help lift your spirits. And when you’re happy, your mind won’t be feeling all anxiety-ridden, making room in there again for new ideas.

4. Go with the flow.

The best way to explain this one is by telling a personal story…Tuesday, I finished up a series of large, time-consuming projects for a handful of sites. I loved doing them, but they were all due at the same time, so it was a bit stressful. I decided though, that when I turned in all the projects and everything was done, I would celebrate with a little break, for the rest of the day. Small, I know. But I thought it would be a nice reward. Well, I quickly realized that that wasn’t going to be possible because aside from the projects I had just turned in, I had plenty of other obligations that I couldn’t just put on hold. So I kept going…feeling a little defeated, admittedly.

Then the next day, I started writing this post, which actually began as an Interior Obsessions post and eventually turned into the post you are reading right now. Kind of a completely different direction, right? But, I just rolled with it.

Interestingly enough, I had been thinking, days before, about how I haven’t written any biz tips posts lately (luckily Tiffany does an amazing job bringing you her tips and biz inspirations every other week), and I was starting to feel guilty about the fact that I hadn’t contributed to that side of the blog in what felt like too long. Then, BAM! Just like that, a post like this one flows through my fingertips. On accident.

The point here is, sometimes it’s okay to fall down the rabbit hole. It may just lead you back to exactly where you want to be.

So those are my tips. At least for now…I have a handful more, but it was starting to get too long. So I’ll make a part II in the coming weeks.

Now it’s your turn.

What are your tricks and tips for overcoming a creative slump?