Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

creativity reset

Purple Star emoji 35 items
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
7
 
 
 
 
 
 

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... 

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
I read this post years ago and still do one of these “life audits” every year.
How and Why to do a Life Audit
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
I loved using this workbook last year to meet my creative goals
Artist of Life Workbook
placeholder

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... 

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Janelle Monae is one of those creative people who just blows my mind
The Age of Pleasure
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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)
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Screw the new biopic - the Amy Winehouse documentary will forever live rent free in my mind
Amy
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
One of the best books about creativity and identity that I have ever read
How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Cheer
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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 ...

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
If you prefer a classic journal, these are my favorite
Leuchtturm1917 A5 Medium Hardcover Notebook
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Forever the best pens for letting your creativity flow
Pilot G2 Retractable Gel Pens, Extra Fine Point, 0.5mm
placeholder

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 

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Another great daily poetry podcast that I have incorporated into my routine
‎Poem-a-Day Podcast
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
An approachable and delightful poetry collection that I've gifted countless ties
Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude book by Ross Gay
placeholder

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

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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)
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
I like to walk with a simple fanny pack containing my phone, wallet, sunglasses and keys
The Renew Transit Fanny Pack
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Nothing beats Hokas for support on the pavement or trail
Hooka All Gender Vibrant Bloom Clifton LS
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
One of the podcasts that always leave me inspired
How to Survive the End of the World
placeholder

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 ...

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Remember how much fun it is to make a silly collage? Now you do!
Extraordinary Things to Cut Out and Collage
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Diamond art is so soothing and satisfying
Tropic Fruit Diamond Art Kit
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
A paint-by-number that you'll actually want to keep
Paint by Number - Darling Dahlia
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Etsy has so many beginner embroidery kits that let you try a new medium
Landscape Embroidery Kit for Beginners
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder

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

 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
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
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
One of my favorite, most-listened to meditations from the insight timer app
Lovingly Exploring Our Emotion with Rachel Ricketts
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
Another favorite guided meditation from Insight
Accepting Change with Sarah Blondin
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
My go-to morning 10 minute meditation
Morning Meditation with Music
placeholder
 
Sarah Koppelkam profile picture
While I hate that headspace is paid, I do love how they created guided programming throughout the day
Be kind to your mind - Headspace
placeholder