Outfit details: Zara yellow Leather Biker Jacket (similar), Banana Republic Houndstooth Sweater, Express jeans, Alexander Wang heels

I’m a self-avowed creative person, creative spirit, and creative soul. I love and embrace my many creative pursuits. My mind is often full of abundant ideas for my writing, entrepreneurial, and artistic endeavors, from performing live comedy to styling colorful looks. We often think of creatives as people brimming with off-the-cuff, on-the-spot concepts for any and everything. But the truth is, we all have limits! Even those of us with an overflowing cup of creativity know how it feels to suddenly experience a complete block and need help figuring out how to get unstuck from a creative rut.

Currently, my creative process feels a bit overextended and overwhelmed. I’ve been experiencing a bit of a creative void myself – at least when it comes to blogging. By day, I work at a creative technology firm, so much of my creative juices are poured into my marketing and business development role. I’m also regularly performing or practicing improv or standup comedy, so that expends a great deal of creative thinking and energy as well. There are a few additional things I’m also working on, so with everything combined, my creativity is often pushed to the limits – or maxed out. So I’ve been lagging in the blog creation department.

So what’s a creative to do when they can’t be creative? How do you motivate yourself to get unstuck?

1. Express what you are feeling

When experiencing a complete creative block and if you’re feeling empty of ideas, you can use exactly that as a starting point! Case in point: this blog post. I couldn’t think of anything to write about, so I wrote about precisely that. Writing is my primary art form, and form of creative expression, so when I’m feeling blocked, the best thing I can do is start writing about what’s currently challenging me. In comedy, for example, the best place to start is always with the truth, and jokes build from there. So if you’re feeling blocked, start with your current truth, no matter how significant or insignificant you think it is. Combine that with your favorite form of creative expression, and build from there!

2. Get out of the house

Sometimes you need to take a break and step away from the work and experience living your life again! Your lifestyle, experiences and external events will help fuel your creativity once again. Go to the movies, hang out with friends, enjoy the day at a museum or art show, take a road trip, go to a comedy show, people watch in the park, exercise outdoors. There are so many ways to get your mind going and sparking new creativity! Keep a journal of any ideas that come to mind during or after your experiences. Even if you’re not a writer, you can always jot down your thoughts in a journal or in a notes app to gather ideas to get your creative juices flowing again!

3. Try something new

You know that phrase “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got?” Well, if you want to access new creative ideas and get unstuck, you’ve got to try new things! For me, one of the best new things I like to do to inspire creativity is travel to a new place. Experiencing new sites and sights provides me with countless creative material and opportunities for new content. But you don’t need expensive or time-consuming travel. You can experience a ton of new things in your own neighborhood or town. All you have to do is leave your fear or comfort behind and open yourself up to trying new experiences!

Do you experience creative blocks? How do you manage them? How do you get unstuck, re-stimulate your creativity and get your creative processes back on track? Share your tips in the comments!