Finding inspiration when you feel stuck
We all know the feeling of being halfway through a project and suddenly experiencing a creative block. Whether it’s an art piece, a personal project, or a university assignment, it can be incredibly discouraging when you just don’t know what to do. The good news about ‘finding inspiration’ is hidden in the word itself. You don’t have to sit around and wait for it; you can go out and look for it. In this article we’ll share our favorite tips and tools from the book The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, so you can continue your project with fresh inspo!
1. Creating awareness
There is endless inspiration all around you, but because we live so fast, we rarely pause to see it. Shift your attention from ‘doing’ to ‘noticing’. Look around you with attention, flip through a magazine mindfully, and start to make connections. When you train yourself to perceive deeply, small things that seem mundane can become great sources of inspiration.
2. Submerging yourself
There’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from others, especially from masters or experts. Read literature, visit museums, explore architectural sights, or browse through papers of experts in your field. Seeing great works reminds us of everything that’s possible, so take advantage of this!
3. Nature as a teacher
Nature is one of the richest sources of inspiration. Even if it doesn’t directly relate to your work, being in its stillness helps us get in the rhythm of inspiration. The quiet of a forest, the crashing of waves, the bloom of a flower – these don’t necessarily mean anything (because nature just exists), but they can be a reflection of what's going on within you. On top of that, nature has the power to pull you away from your project. A simple walk can reduce tension and create space for inspiration.
4. Giving your work intention
Do you notice that every time you’re sitting down to work, you’re feeling directionless? This means that you have to give your work intention. Ask: What am I really trying to say? Why does this matter? It’s not about having all the answers but about giving yourself a clear direction to work towards. When your work has a purpose, it acts as a compass, guiding every decision and keeping you grounded when in doubt. Without intention, it’s easy to drift and you’ll risk going nowhere at all. Don’t see this intention as a limitation, but as a tool to help you move forward with focus.
5. Allowing failure
An important reminder: “Failure is the information you need to get where you’re going.” Every time you try something and fail, you’re allowing yourself to learn something new. And this will always improve your work, guaranteed! Your creative block isn’t failure – it's fear of failure. Don’t be scared to be bad, to waste time, or to be wrong. Trust that you’ll figure it out at some point, and failure will help you find your way.
6. Trying everything
When nothing works, try something absurd. In the process of creating, don’t aim for brilliance, but aim for curiosity. That’s where you’ll find unique ideas and perspectives that will set your work apart. Experimentation is the key here: ‘What if I interview someone for my project from a totally different field?’ ‘What if I argued the opposite of what I believe, just to see where it leads?’ ‘What if I limited myself to just 10 words per idea?’. Write down the craziest ideas you can think of!
Remember: inspiration is never forced, but you can attune to it. When you’re stuck, don’t panic and don’t push. Take good care of yourself and live openly. Pause, look, and ask ‘what if?’. Then, inspiration will show up in no-time :)
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