[81] How to Overcome Creative Block with Christina Lowry

Running a creative business brings with it many ups and downs in your level of creative inspiration – I call this the Creative Cycle. One aspect of this cycle is creative block – which can be incredibly frustrating and worrying, especially if it is your first time experiencing it. In this episode I again chat with my friend Christina Lowry, who outlines some action steps that you can take to kick yourself out of a creative slump, while still honouring creative lulls as a natural part of the Creative Cycle.     Quotes and highlights from this Episode: * Christina created a ‘How To’ for herself to help her deal with creative block. * ‘Inspiration and action are not the same thing’ {Christina} * Don’t start with a blank page * This creates expectations and pressure. * Just start making marks, get your hands and mind working. * Make it a habit * Make space in your day to be creative. * There will always be a cycle in your business and your creativity. * ‘You have to believe it will pass’ {Christina} * Take a shower * Take a shower or a bath, a long one, and lock the door. * Have a notebook ready because taking that time to yourself will get the ideas flowing. * Driving, sleeping, running, walking or knitting are all examples of activities that can get the ideas flowing. * ‘Doing any kind of creative endeavour influences your creativity’ {Christina} * Make something different * Make something in a completely different medium to what you usually use. * Make something you don’t have to sell. * ‘Do something for your own fun and your own fulfilment’ {Jess} * Look back through old sketchbooks * Look at old ideas or designs to reignite some inspiring action. * Maybe you have old designs that you didn’t have the means to make? Has this changed? * Fill your well * Self care cannot be a secondary thing. * Never drain yourself. Self care should be a daily thing. * Surround yourself with creative people * Immerse yourself in others creativity. * Use Prompts * Prompts can help you open that creativity and smash the creative block. * Step away * If you aren’t being productive sometimes walking away is the best option. * If it is making you angry or stressed walk away and come back to it later. * Know that you are not your work * It is not healthy to think you are a reflection of anything external to yourself. * ‘You are not your work’ {Christina} * The cycles will become easier to recognise the longer you are in business. * Find Christina online at christinalowrydesigns.com Download or Listen to This Episode (You can also subscribe to the podcast and listen to this episode on iTunes + Stitcher – just search ‘Create & Thrive’.)