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<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSome days are brilliant and oh so inspired. Other days, it\u2019s like your creative muse could hit you over the head and you still can\u2019t seem to come up with any good ideas. Even though creative blocks are a normal occurrence, it can be extremely frustrating for designers, developers, and any type of creative to run into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re not alone though; even the most imaginative people have experienced a block and had to rediscover how to be creative. To help your wheels start turning, I\u2019ve made a list of activities for you to try when you\u2019re feeling creatively deprived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat makes you, well, you? Make a list of all your attributes. And then make them into something else. For example, try drawing yourself as a sandwich\u2014maybe your creativity is hummus and your optimism is shredded turkey. Or imagine yourself as a painting\u2014what colors, mediums, and techniques would you use?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter what activity you choose (and regardless of how ridiculous it might become) ask yourself \u201cWhy\u201d every step of the way. By giving yourself the space to be silly while also encouraging some critical thought, you\u2019ll loosen up lots of brain space to make room for new ideas!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a popular strategy for anyone suffering from writer\u2019s block, but it can also be a successful tactic for any designer as well. For whatever project you\u2019re stuck on, try making a list of words that relate back to it in some way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about adjectives that should describe it or feelings it should invoke. By writing everything down, you might start to see some similarities (or outliers), making it easier to clear your mind and find the solution you\u2019re looking for!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m sure you have things that inspire you, so why not put it all in one place? This is great for collecting pieces that encompass your interests, brand, and personal style, but it also makes for some fun office decor! Add a poster or some polaroids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tape up your power quotes in your favorite fonts. Heck, you can even throw in some selfies or your first dollar! There\u2019s no limit to what your inspiration board can have because it\u2019s meant to inspire YOU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s nothing wrong with having a five-minute dance party or mini jam session to help break up your day. It\u2019s something you can do by yourself or with your team, whether you\u2019re you actually know what you\u2019re doing or just goofing around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking a little time to get lost in some tunes will help you block out any stress from the day and reset your mind. Plus, you might just find your new productivity playlist that both helps you focus and keeps you energized!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting off your morning with something fun and inspiring can really jumpstart your creative juices. Every day when you sit down at your desk, instead of opening emails or reviewing bills, take five minutes to warm up your creativity. For example, try filling up one page in a notebook of something: a quote, sketches, words, whatever your heart desires. This will help clear out your mind so you can make room for the real projects of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you get into a rhythm of daily habits, you can even use them as a gauge for how creative you\u2019re feeling that day. If you\u2019re really pleased with the outcome, you might want to tackle that new project that requires lots of creative brainstorming. If that quick creative exercise was a struggle, you know it might be a better project management day. (Or it\u2019s time for more coffee).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"man](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2017\/08\/designers-block-journal.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n[twitter_link]If creative blocks happen to you regularly, it may be time for some serious reflection.[\/twitter_link] And one of the best ways to do that is to start tracking a few things and consistently writing them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every night before I go to bed, I write in my journal. I write about the highs and lows of the day, and I reflect on not only what happened, but how each activity made me feel. This helps me document some of the things I\u2019m feeling in a way that\u2019s easy to reflect on later. While designer\u2019s block happens to everyone, there might be a cause behind yours that\u2019s deeper than just needing a little more inspiration that day. You\u2019ll never know unless you\u2019re incredibly intentional about looking for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Retro, throwback themes have been all the rage lately. Use this to inspire you! Create a good old-fashioned mixtape. Write a letter to someone and actually mail it. Take some polaroids or film photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if the retro thing isn\u2019t your normal style, I guarantee looking to the past and working through a little creative exercise will help you think outside the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if you don\u2019t feel like it right this second, you have brilliant ideas\u2014let them out, even if it\u2019s not for a real project! If you\u2019re stuck in the brainstorming process to design a client\u2019s logo, try designing a logo for someone else, like your dog or grandma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though the ideas will be drastically different, by working through a similar problem that\u2019s just a little more ridiculous, you just might clear out the cobwebs in your mind and discover an unexpected solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"woman](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2017\/08\/designers-block-lisa-magic.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI love guided-inspiration because it\u2019s easy to start feeling creative, even if you weren\u2019t feeling it at first. You can find this through guided-question journals<\/a>, coloring books<\/a>, sticker books<\/a>, brain teasers<\/a>, puzzles<\/a>, or even just regular ol\u2019 books. (I\u2019d recommend You are a Badass<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best part about this method is that it can be as fast or slow as you need. If you\u2019re looking for a 5-minute fix, aim for a brain teaser. If you\u2019re ready to slow down for an hour, find a place to curl up with a book or go attend a talk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes your desk can feel so corporate and trapping, even if you\u2019ve done your best to curate a creative space (and even if you work from home). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Try working at a coffeeshop, in the lobby of your building, or literally anywhere besides your desk. A change of scenery may be just what you need, and it\u2019s an easy change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes going back to look at my old work brings new inspiration in unknown ways. Think about everything you\u2019ve learned from that time in comparison to now. What would you do differently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if this doesn\u2019t directly help the project you\u2019re working on now, working through the process again might trigger something you can work with. And at the very least, you should take a moment to remember your successes! Thinking about what went well will give you some positive energy, which you can use to fuel more creative success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever had a great idea and thought, \u201cI don\u2019t have time for it now, but I\u2019ll have to remember that!\u201d But then next week when you\u2019re ready to give it a go, you can\u2019t remember it to save your life?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If that sounds like you, start an idea jar! Whenever you have ideas that you get excited about, but don\u2019t have time for in the moment, write them down on paper, popsicle sticks, or sticky notes and throw them in the idea jar for a rainy, non-creative day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now it\u2019s time to get started. Which ideas are you going to try first? What else do you do to be creative and break out of a rut?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some days are brilliant and oh so inspired. Other days, it\u2019s like your creative muse could hit you over the head and you still can\u2019t seem to come up with any good ideas. Even though creative blocks are a normal occurrence, it can be extremely frustrating for designers, developers, and any type of creative to…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","resource-topic":[1396],"resource-role":[1397],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-23869","resource","type-resource","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n10. Leave Your Desk Behind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
11. Revisit Old Masterpieces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
12. Set up an Idea Jar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"three](\"https:\/\/getflywheel-images.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2017\/08\/designers-block-women-talking.jpg\")
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