We all get stuck—it happens. However, there’s no reason to stay there, as no feeling or state is permanent. No matter your profession or passions, things are bound to get stagnant from time to time. Here are nine pointers on how to get your creative mojo back in an instant.
1. Get outdoors
Last week, I was able to hike a beautiful smack forest in the middle of Vancouver. After spending the day breathing in fresh, clean air, I wrote six articles and pitched a proposal for a new gig. My point here is that fresh air stimulates your creative juices. So, get outdoors!
2. Take notes
Keep an old-fashioned notepad and some pens on your bedside table, in your backpack, purse, car… you get the idea. Fleeting ideas are just that: fleeting. Catch them and jot them down before they disappear.
3. Read and then read some more
Find authors who you admire, and read everything they write, over and over again. Carry their books with you wherever you go. When seeking inspiration, it’ll only be a few inches away. I keep a copy of Marianne Williamson’s “A Return to Love” in my bookbag; I never leave home without it.
4. Mind the company you keep
Dark energy breeds more dark energy. Be careful of who you keep in your inner circle—those who vibrate on a high frequency will lift you higher. Surround yourself with people who shine and let you be your beautiful, brilliant self.
5. Crank up some new tunes
Ask for music suggestions from friends, and be open to new genres. Studies have shown that your brain needs stimulation from new sources regularly. Music affects moods, so find some happy songs, crank them up, and maybe even dance around your living room.
6. Take breaks
Take a night off from chasing your dream and be “off.” I understand this one is difficult, as it’s hard to apply. Sometimes, however, your brain and body need a breather, so please be gentle and kind and take that break.
7. Laugh
Find some new comedians on YouTube, or maybe just some that are new to you. Laughter fixes most things, and studies have shown that laughing often relaxes the body. It sends a message that all is well and that you are safe. It even lowers blood pressure!
8. Learn to meditate
Check out Deepak Chopra or TM.org for some of the most accessible, practical meditation techniques available. Once you start meditating, all sorts of things begin to fall into place. You will feel creative energy surges; go with it and let those ideas flow.
9. Get physical
Make time for regular exercise, whether running, walking, treadmills, spin classes, yoga, or something else. Just pick one (or two) and start. Your creative juices flow more freely when your circulation, respiration, and perspiration are stimulated. Get up and move, and you’ll go in the right direction.
