IS IT TIME WE SAID GOODBYE TO REFERENCES?
May 25, 2024
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For those feeling stuck in a creative rut, this article explores the common culprits behind stifled inspiration and offers tips to get your creative juices flowing again.
Tight deadlines and the pressure to succeed can force us to rely on familiar methods, not leaving us room to explore and research, besides the added pressure and anxiety-inducing dates that stare straight at you with a dead-set glare. Developing your time management skills can reduce this pressing- sometimes crippling- anxiety. By carving out dedicated time for brainstorming and experimentation, you can keep the creative spark alive. Ditch the anxiety and look logically at things, and perhaps you’ll see that you have more time than you think.
The desire for commercial success can be another roadblock. The pressure to create work that sells can lead to following popular trends, sacrificing creative integrity. However, commercially viable work and artistic expression aren't mutually exclusive, and you don’t have to quote-unquote “sell out”, or follow people’s lead. Even if a project isn’t received well, that doesn’t mean it’s not creative or well done. Maybe it’s just too genius- and hey, not all artists were celebrated in their time.
Working under a boss or hierarchy can feel like a creative dead end, where their personal tastes and bias interfere with the project- and their budget. However, these limitations can also be a source of inspiration. Learning to use what's available and find creative solutions can lead to unexpected breakthroughs, and push you to work with scarce leads.
In our information-saturated world, we're constantly bombarded with content. While this can be a source of inspiration, passively consuming without actively engaging hinders creativity. Social media, for example, can be a great tool for inspiration, but don’t get sucked into the habit of just consuming and scrolling endlessly without any fruitful outcome.
The fear of failure can be a major barrier. Stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things is scary, but it's a necessary risk for growth. Embrace the learning process and don't be afraid to experiment- we were born to fail, and then try again and again.