35 Ways to Break Through a Creative Rut in 10 Minutes

If you’re in a creative rut, don’t get discouraged. It happens to everybody. I sometimes get into a rut when I’m trying to make LOTS of something for a craft show, and I have to take a break and reenergize my creative spirit. Sometimes, it only takes 10 minutes of doing something like doodling or flipping through a magazine to get back into a creative mindset. Pick out one thing from this list of 35 the next time you’re lacking creativity and need a boost:

1. Dance. Turn on the radio, turn up the volume, and dance. Dance as if it’s the last time you’ll ever dance and let your body move with the music.

2. Color. Grab a box of crayons and color as if you’re in elementary school again. Pick your favorite colors and have fun.

3. Brain dump. Find a pen and piece of paper and brain dump for 10 minutes. This means writing whatever’s on your mind. This significantly helps when stress is blocking your creative energy.

4. Walk. If it’s a nice day outside, take a walk around the block.

5. Read. Pull out your favorite book and read a chapter from it.

6. Find images from a magazine. Flip through a magazine and pull out pages that inspire you. Post them next to the area you use to create.

7. Visit your favorite blog. Read the past couple posts of your favorite blog.

8. Take a photograph. Get out your camera and walk around your home. Take photographs of everyday, inspiring things.

9. Doodle. Remember how doodling during math class could relax your mind? Try it now.

10. Call a friend. Set a timer and let your friend know that you only have 10 minutes to chat. Then ask your friend what’s new and focus on her for the next 10 minutes.

11. Stretch. You might have a mental block, because you’ve been at it for too long. Relax your body to relax your mind.

12. Take deep breaths. Take 10 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Count each breath, and try to completely fill and empty your lungs with every breath.

13. Write a poem. If you don’t usually write poetry, it’s an even better exercise.

14. Nap. Set your timer for 10 minutes and take a quick, cat nap. You might not fall asleep, but it’ll give your mind a chance to rest.

15. Collage. Make a quick collage using glue, scraps of paper and fabric, stickers and other doodads you find in your craft area. Don’t think too hard about it. Just do it.

16. Finger paint. One of the best things about elementary school art is finger painting. It’s freeing.

17. Shower. If you’re anything like me, you get some of your best ideas when you’re in the shower.

18. Eat fruit slowly. Grab your favorite fruit from your kitchen and eat it slowly. Taste every bite, noticing the color, the texture, the aroma. Beware: it’s pretty sensual.

19. Walk barefoot. If it’s spring or summertime, walk barefoot in the grass, noticing the way it feels.

20. Clean your creative area. If you’re a writer, clean your desk. If you make jewelry, clean the area in which you make it. Your creative energy might flow easier when you clear the clutter.

21. Play. If you have kids, this is an easy one. Go play with them for 10 minutes.

22. Enjoy a cup of tea.

23. Watch the video on the free hugs campaign website. If it doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what to tell you.

24. Play with your dog. When I’m outside with my dogs throwing toys for them, I can’t help but be happy and feel lucky for my life. I also get lots of great creative ideas when I’m playing with my dogs.

25. Make a list. You think lists aren’t creative? Try making a list of things that you feel thankful for and see what happens. Download and print this PDF for a free “Things I’m Super Thankful For” list.

26. Practice kindness. Take 10 minutes to do something for someone else. You could send a handwritten note to a sick friend or go say hi to an elderly neighbor.

27. Check your twitter page. I know twitter can be a waste of time if you let it, but it can also be inspiring if you follow people like @jonathanfields, @marieforleo, or @lizstrauss. And, of course, don’t forget to follow me @blacksburgbelle.

28. Visualize happiness. Close your eyes and visualize that you’re in the place that makes you the happiest. Try to use all of your senses to engage in this activity. For example, if you visualize that you’re at the beach, taste and smell the salt in the air, visualize the beautiful sky, and feel the sand on your toes.

29. Do something new. Invigorate your creative spirit by doing something you’ve never done or don’t usually do. For instance, if you’re a writer, take 10 minutes to draw one of your characters instead of writing about him.

30. Jump rope. If you don’t have a rope, pretend. It’ll get your heart pumping and energize your body.

31. Change surroundings. If you usually work inside, go outside for a while. If it’s too cold to go outside, change rooms.

32. Repeat a mantra. Every creative person should have a couple positive mantras to repeat. You’ll need it when you’re having a rough day, get rejected, or feel incompetent. My mantra is, “I’m a smart and creative woman.” If my inner critic is messing with my head, I’ll tell it to shut up and repeat my mantra.

33. Laugh out loud. Whenever I need a good laugh, I call my stepdad who tells me some crazy story about my mom which is always true. One time, she called the U.S. embassy in Jamaica while I was on vacation and demanded that they look for me, because I hadn’t called her in a couple days. Those kinds of stories. If you don’t have someone like that in your life, you need to find one.

34. Review your goals. Sometimes, you lose sight of why you’re doing something. When you reread your long-term goals, you might be inspired to work those goals into your current creative project.

35. Sing. If you sound awful when you sing, like I do, wait until you’re alone {or warn your loved ones} and then belt out your favorite song. Pay attention to the words and why you love it so much.

Free Downloadable List Sheet {prints on an 8 an 1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper or cardstock}

Use this to complete #25 on the list above! Super huge thanks to pugly pixel for some of the graphics.