“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso

At a Halloween house party I attended, I was chatting with my colleague and a young man who is not in the creative industry. He insisted that he has “zero creativity in his bones”. Despite his sentiment, my co-worker had a valid counterargument and believed that anyone could be creative.

This leads me to say that everyone has a creative outlet in one way or another.  Mine is digital illustration and design. Since this guy owned a business, his creative outlet probably was communication. since his job was to persuade multiple clients creatively. His creative outlet could have also been baking 30-inch cakes smothered in glitter for all I know.

 Science says that everyone is capable of being creative. Well, this may mean that anybody can tap into their creativity. Now what? As a default, creativity comes from being a child. Stories are told, doodles are drawn, games are played, and so on. Unfortunately, as we grow older, we lose touch with our childhood and literally forget what it is to be a playful child.

The essence of creativity is inherent in everyone. It’s just a matter of how you interpret it. Creativity is a skill and a process that takes time to master; it requires the development of muscle memory. Now let’s unravel what a creative block truly means:

“I can’t do this!”

“I am not creative/talented/intelligent or [insert negative comment]”

Being a victim of imposter syndrome is unfortunately all too common, especially as we approach adulthood. Creativity is often associated with people in the art or design industries. Overthinking is another cause of a creative block besides imposter syndrome… It never serves any purpose in general. Below, I will include some useful tips on overcoming the mental block….

Taking a break

Making time for yourself and cutting back does wonders. It’s counterproductive to be in constant work mode twenty-four seven, so I suggest taking time off and taking care of yourself. When things get particularly overwhelming, you should learn to set boundaries and occasionally say “no.” Furthermore, temporarily switching between relaxation and work modes will help you break through creative blocks and this is one of the most valuable pieces of advice I ever received from mentors and in masterclasses.

Go somewhere new

Go somewhere new. Anywhere. It could even mean booking an exotic vacation on a whim. Or to an exhibition that you’d always wanted to go to. The one thing I love doing is going to my all-time favourite exhibitions in London:

1. 180 the strand, 

2. The Design Museum

3. Museum of brands

I find that something as simple as this helps me get my creative juices flowing without having to think too hard about it.

Seek inspiration

This one’s a classic, but God does it work. There are many ways to get inspiration for your next project, such as reading books with beautiful imagery, checking out the D&Ad annual, or subscribing to newsletters focusing on creative advertising, such as Itsnicethat or Creative review – even just following some inspirational juice on Instagram or Pinterest.

So, what is the key takeaway here? Remembering and acknowledging the fact that a creative block is normal, and it is only temporary. Once you follow my tips, you will tap into your inner child in no time.

Good luck!

@scaaimee