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creativity reset

Are you an artist, musician, writer, or content creator in a rut? Here are the tips and tricks I use to re-job inspiration and get in a creative routine. You can follow this process any time of year, but I always feel most ready to relaunch my creati...

Sections

Step 1: Set your creative goals

Step 2: Seek inspiration

Step 3: Write morning pages every day

Step 4: Incorporate poetry into your routine

Step 5: Go for lots of long walks

Step 6: Create just for fun

Step 1: Set your creative goals

One of my favorite stories about creative goal setting comes from Octavia Butler. Butler, one of the most famous and impact science fiction authors of all time, wrote in her journals years before her work made an impact: “My books will be read by mil...

Whether or not you believe in manifestation, you have to believe this is powerful

Read Octavia E. Butler’s Inspiring Message to Herself - Electric Literature

This deck provides open-ended structure for honing in on your creative dreams

The Remarkable Life Deck: A Ten-Year Plan for Achieving Your Dreams

I read this post years ago and still do one of these “life audits” every year.

How and Why to do a Life Audit

I loved using this workbook last year to meet my creative goals

Artist of Life Workbook

Step 2: Seek inspiration

What can art be inspired by? Anything! I like to set myself little creative prompts based on diverse inspiration. For example, can you make a painting in response to a song? Can you write a poem in response to a painting? Inspiration is everywhere, b...

Janelle Monae is one of those creative people who just blows my mind

The Age of Pleasure

I didn't know anything about queer, Black disco artist Sylvester until Beyonce covered “Blackbird” - and listening to Sylvesters cover totally blew my mind

Sylvester - Blackbird (Live) (Official Audio)

Screw the new biopic - the Amy Winehouse documentary will forever live rent free in my mind

Amy

I have always loved the New York School of artists and poets, and this book focusing on the women of the movement left me seriously inspired

Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement

One of the best books about creativity and identity that I have ever read

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Cheer

I saw David Antonio Cruz's painting at the ICA in Boston and they blew my damn mind

david antonio cruz

Step 3: Write morning pages every day

Julia Cameron introduced the world to the concept of “morning pages” in her classic text “The Artist's Way”. Since then, it has become a staple practice for many creative people. The idea? Wake up every morning and spill out all of your thoughts and ...

The concept behind morning pages is really simple - but if you'd like the full explanation, I highly recommend reading this book

The Artist's Way: 30th Anniversary Edition (Anniversary) by Julia Cameron

A legal pad in a fun color has become my favorite way to write morning pages - but you can use whatever paper you like

Fuutreo 12 Pcs Colored Legal Pad Writing Pads

If you prefer a classic journal, these are my favorite

Leuchtturm1917 A5 Medium Hardcover Notebook

Forever the best pens for letting your creativity flow

Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Pens, Extra Fine Point, 0.5mm

Step 4: Incorporate poetry into your routine

One of the biggest changes I made to my routine to spark my creativity was switching out my morning news podcast for an audio poetry podcast. Regardless of your creative medium, poetry will build your respect for a curious approach to the world

This podcast has become an essential part of my daily routine. Rotating poets host, providing a short, personal intro and then reading a poem.

‎The Slowdown Podcast: Poetry & Reflection Daily

This is my favorite poetry podcast, but unlike the others listed here, it doesn't come out every day and is slightly longer-form

‎Poetry Unbound Podcast

The companion book to the Poetry Unbound Podcast, this book is the perfect one to slow down and appreciate poetry

Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World by Pádraig Ó. Tuama

Another great daily poetry podcast that I have incorporated into my routine

‎Poem-a-Day Podcast

An approachable and delightful poetry collection that I've gifted countless ties

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude book by Ross Gay

Step 5: Go for lots of long walks

Truly nothing gets me coming up with great ideas than a walk of an hour or more. I love listening to a great, inspiring podcast or some music, and I find that if I'm experiencing any creative roadblocks, I'll find the answer by the time I get home

I personally prefer in-ear to over-ear headphones. The pro airpods are well worth it for the noise cancelling

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

I like to walk with a simple fanny pack containing my phone, wallet, sunglasses and keys

The Renew Transit Fanny Pack

Nothing beats Hokas for support on the pavement or trail

Hooka All Gender Vibrant Bloom Clifton LS

One of the podcasts that always leave me inspired

How to Survive the End of the World

Step 6: Create just for fun

Creative people can feel a lot of pressure - pressure to sell their work, pressure to make something people like or understand… It's essential to bring some joy and playfulness back into your creative practice. One way to approach this? Do something ...

I love interior design, but I don't get to really do it much outside of my own home. This coloring book lets me indulge that passion and de-stress

Cozy Interiors Coloring Book

Remember how much fun it is to make a silly collage? Now you do!

Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage

These paint markers make doodling truly addictive

Uni Posca Paint Markers - Basic Colors, Set of 16, Fine, Bullet Tip, 0.9 mm-1.3 mm

Diamond art is so soothing and satisfying

Tropic Fruit Diamond Art Kit

A paint-by-number that you'll actually want to keep

Paint by Number - Darling Dahlia

Etsy has so many beginner embroidery kits that let you try a new medium

Landscape Embroidery Kit for Beginners

There is nothing more fun and absorbing than a big baking project just for fun

Baking for Pleasure: Comforting Recipes to Bring You Joy by Ravneet Gill

Step 7: Spend time with your own brain

Whether you call it meditation or something else, I've found that finding at least 10 minutes of silent reflection every day helps quiet the noise and refocus my priorities

A lot of meditation apps cost money. Not this one - it has thousands of free guided meditations so I can always find a good one

Insight Timer - #1 Free Meditation App for Sleep, Relax & More

One of my favorite, most-listened to meditations from the insight timer app

Lovingly Exploring Our Emotion with Rachel Ricketts

Another favorite guided meditation from Insight

Accepting Change with Sarah Blondin

My go-to morning 10 minute meditation

Morning Meditation with Music

While I hate that headspace is paid, I do love how they created guided programming throughout the day

Be kind to your mind - Headspace