Unlocking creativity – focus on accomplishment over achievement

Recently, I've been in a creative rut. A sense of ennui and a desire to be productive have left me feeling disengaged. Procrastination sets in with simple tasks, and I find myself spending hours on TikTok. Unsatisfied, I sought change by returning to some creative hobbies.

Creative hobbies have always held the allure being completely immersed in the act of making. When I enter this zone, I feel the most engaged and productive. Psychologist Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi coined this state as "flow", where the work is slightly challenging but still well within your skill level. Here are a few ways I ease myself back into the process of art.

Start simple

Staring at a blank piece of paper can be daunting because the brain gets overwhelmed by the need to produce something perfect. I often struggle to decide what to draw or create. But that's not the goal for now; the goal is to just start. The best tactic is to pick something you like – a photo, a character, an item right in front of you – and start sketching an outline. The act of putting down a line breaks the initial inertia, and you can slowly build the piece up as you ease yourself into the flow.

Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way, has a helpful exercise called "Morning Pages" that works similarly. You wake up and write down your stream of conscious thoughts for three blank pages straight. By doing so, it warms you up for the actual work you need to do later.

Get moving

When feeling uninspired, it's often because I've been lazing around or doom scrolling to procrastinate – being very sedentary. Simple household chores such as putting away fresh laundry, vacuuming the room, or washing the dishes help to break the cycle of inactivity. This can progress into something more active like heading out for a walk or run. Doing so has often helps me return to a task with more headspace for better ideas, acting as a refresh button for the brain.

Slow down and seek inspirations

Often inspirations strike unexpectedly, but that doesn't mean we should wait for our brain to spark something creative from within. I actively seek out inspirations from others whose work I admire. Abstract on Netflix is a good series to start with as it spotlights one creative in various fields to uncover their story – breaking down of their process and approach to their craft.

Another source of inspiration is to start slowing down and really observe the things around me. It's something I learned in photography class – to actively look out for what stands out in your environment. This can be something really small, like the unique shape of a flower, or the design of a Starbucks cup. I start observing and drawing to eventually find out how complex something I once thought was simple. Beyond that, it could be an iteration to what is observed, thinking of how it could be better or imagined to be different.

Happy creating and till the next!