Ten Ways to Get Out of a Creative Rut
or to just add more playful creativity to your life
Hi friends,
In my last newsletter I talked about how everyone is creative. Even you. If you missed it, maybe go check it out. Or, to save on time, here’s a quote that captures the heart of what I had to say:
[Being out of creative shape is] a hazard of adulthood, even for those of us with “creative” professions. We get used to certain types of challenges (like rewriting a rhyming stanza) and, eventually, those challenges become routine, and we end up stuck in a rut. Sometimes all we need to get out of that rut is a little self-imposed boredom. But if that’s not enough, it might take a new kind of challenge to get us out of it.
When my kids were young and still under my authority, I encouraged intentional creativity. Of course, when they were very young, this encouragement was hardly necessary, as anyone who has spent time around very young children would know. There was no end to their imaginative play. The tree stump in the back yard would be a stage, the bunk bed a pirate ship, the floors of our house any number of dangerous substances, including ocean waves or (of course) burning lava.
Their creativity went beyond imaginative play, though, and this is where my intentional encouragement came in. I supplied them with art supplies and encouraged them to draw and paint and get crafty. We’d make up stories together. We’d read and discuss books. We recited and made up poetry and jokes! And I allowed my children the blessing of boredom.
Perhaps you find yourself stuck in a creative rut. Or maybe you can’t remember a time you intentionally flexed your creative muscles at all. If that’s the case, I encourage you to channel your inner child and spend some time in intentional creativity. And, in case you need a little boost to get of your creative rut, here are some ideas:
Spend time with some kids. I teach a pre-K Sunday School class, and during free time I’m often surrounded by mischievous Minions, various types of animals, soldiers, policeman, and cartographers mapping safe routes across the lava floor.
Try an art tutorial. I really like Andrea Nelson’s tutorials. They are great for people of all skill levels, so whether you are a true beginner or just want to try something new for some creative exercise, you’re sure to find something there. Here’s one I did with my oldest daughter,
, just yesterday:
Aren’t they fun? This is a project I probably never would have tried on my own, and I wasn’t particularly confident before I began. But art is often more about the process than the product. Though I do like them, and I’ll probably frame mine and hang it in the guest/grandkids room!
Draw something. Anything. Like…that tree outside your window. Or the dog curled up on your office floor. Or a box. It doesn’t matter if you’re “not good at drawing.” Grab a sheet of printer paper and a pencil and just go for it. You don’t have to show anyone.
Rearrange something. Organize a book shelf, a drawer, or a closet. While doing this activity might not feel like creative play to you, it still flexes your creative muscles a bit (and might feel less intimidating than drawing your dog).
Color in a coloring book.
Go outside and take some pictures of nature.
Make up new words to a familiar song. It can be something simple, like Row Row Row Your Boat. You don’t have to be Weird Al to have a little fun with this.
Frost a cake or some cookies and make them look festive.
Play a game that requires creativity or creative thinking. Some of my favorites are Pictionary, Poetry for Neanderthals, and Man Bites Dog.
Write in a journal. A journal entry can be pretty much anything. You can “brain dump” whatever comes to mind, write a list of your favorite foods, or vent about your boss! If the blank page is intimidating for you, try a Listography book or maybe Wreck this Journal.
A few book recommendations for an extra creative boost:
Drawing is Magic: Discovering Yourself in a Sketchbook by John Hendrix. A low pressure, super fun guide that is great for kids or adults!
The Reverse Coloring Book by Kendra Norton. A relaxing way to unlock some creativity.
Make Blackout Poetry: Turn These Pages into Poems by John Carroll. This book is full of pages and pages of text that you can use to create black out poems by “blacking out” all but the text you want. Here’s an example I did myself, from this very book:
You can do this with any page of text, whether from a book or a newspaper or something you print out on the computer. But this book is great because you don’t have to feel guilty about blacking out book pages!
I Can Only Draw Worms by Will Mabbit. This is a funny and clever picture book in which the narrator insists that he can only draw worms. Proof that you don’t have to be great at drawing to be creative with drawing.
Reminder: My middle grade novel in verse, Mari in the Margins, will be available for preorder on March 12!
Enjoyed this list, simple and doable :) thanks!