WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR CREATIVE MOJO
10 ways to hit the refresh button on your creative process Creative mojo is the elusive sweet spot between connection and creative flow and balancing it with what's next. We're all striving for this intoxicating feeling, when ideas are flowing and work feels easy we thrive creatively. Losing our creative mojo feels frustrating, anxiety provoking and often we give ourselves a doubly hard time by feeling guilty about losing it! We've all been there. Creatives especially struggle with this because their work is so closely tied to their sense of self. You can't get your creative mojo back by sitting and staring at the computer screen, hoping it will magically reappear. Here are my top 10 ways to refresh your creativity when you lose your mojo. Let's dive in! Acknowledge the feelings Creative ruts, whether we realize it or not, have a cause. The first step is admitting you're just not feeling it. From here, you can start to unpack the reasons why you can't think creatively or productively. Reflective journaling sessions are one way to unpack what's going on for you and finding the triggers. Take it Easy The next time you lose your creative mojo, don't panic! Take a break and step away from what you're trying to do. Give your brain the break it needs, and come back to it with a refreshed mind and a new perspective. Spend time being bored There's a reason why the best ideas and inspiration strike when we're doing daily tasks, that don't require much mental energy, like taking a shower. When we're bored, our minds wander and we daydream - both processes are the catalyst for creativity. If you need permission to not be busy all the time, here it is. Schedule a playdate When you start a creative business. suddenly there's a whole lot more pressure attached to what you create - nothing destroys creative joy more than this. When was the last time you created something purely for fun? with no purpose other than to enjoy the process. Schedule a creative playdate and just have fun. Not sure where to start? Join me for 30 days of creative exercise prompts in your inbox Creative Inspiration Please Make sure your human needs are met Being creative takes lots of energy, and we can't just keep using that energy without replenishing it. Unless we nourish our mind and body, and allow ourselves proper rest, we will never reach our creative potential and we will be in danger of entrepreneurial burnout. Get off social media You've likely heard the quote 'Comparison is the thief of joy'. Social media is the biggest comparison trap - don't get me wrong, it does have its uses, but it can also have its downsides. Be mindful of how you feel when you're on social media - feeling drained, dejected, like an imposter? then it's time to step away and take a break from social media. Recognise the progress you're making I'm a big fan of having a plan, especially when I'm working on something with lots of moving parts - when I'm feeling lost or unproductive, going back to my action plan gets me right back on track. Setting myself targets and building in mini-rewards helps keep me motivated. Download Your Daily Progress Tracker Write a Good Things List It can be tough when you're in the weeds to recognise achievements. When you're feeling stuck isn't the best time to start looking for those wins - you're probably viewing things through negative Nancy's glasses. Create a regular habit (daily or weekly is best so you don't forget things) of writing a good things list. No matter how big or small, write it down and have a look at them when you need an extra boost. You don't believe in yourself & your goals This is a deep one but it's worth it. You wouldn't build a house on sand, so why build your dreams on rocky beliefs. What do I mean by this? Think of a positive, growth mindset as the foundations of your business. If you don't believe you're capable enough, smart enough, creative enough.... you won't. Set yourself up for success with the right mindset beliefs. Free up headspace Open loops, also known as the Zeigarnik effect (after the Psychologist who first described the phenomenon), open loops are a bunch of things your brain wants to remember, but knows it's the only place these to-dos and responsibilities exist, so it can't forget them. Loops must be closed for the brain to relax. Think of open loops as open tabs in your browser. If you have too many open tabs, your browser starts to slow down and eventually crashes. This is exactly what open loops do to your brain! So write that list - get everything out of your head and make room for your creativity to bloom.