Roadblocks to creativity happen to every artist and craftsperson at some point. These roadblocks can last for a short while or for an extended period. Causes vary: stresses from life—job, family, health, finances, self-doubt, depression. Or in medical doctor language, “I-don’t-know-what’s-wrong-with-you-but-you’re-going-to-get-a-bill-anyway,” the cause may be idiopathic.
The reasons behind and duration of creative roadblocks vary widely from person to person and from episode to episode, but the result is the same: No matter how long you stare at that blank paper, desk, or computer screen it just stays blank. And if you try to soldier on, you end up with a canvas full of mud, or nonsensical scribbles or a massive mound of wadded paper.
So, what can you do when you run headlong into that impenetrable wall? Be encouraged. Just because you are facing this obstacle doesn’t mean that you cannot overcome it. In fact, if you change your attitude about it, you may come to realize that a roadblock can be a blessing in disguise. Creativity is a spiritual pursuit. Oftentimes when we encounter a roadblock to our creativity, it’s really a warning sign for course correction or a call to clean our spiritual house or a hunger pang for sustenance that only God can provide.
The following 5 Effective Ways to Break Through Roadblocks to Creativity can be employed in any order and at any time. The most important take-away is that you do not have to accept the conditions that have resulted in the roadblock. God has equipped you with spiritual and practical strategies that will get you back on the right track. Change your perspective by taking your eyes off the roadblock and looking to God for your breakthrough.
Prayer
Prayer has immediate benefits. It redirects our energy from our problems and activates our faith in God. God hears us when we pray and He gives us a direct invitation to ask Him for help. Philippians 4:6-7: “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
We might think that God is ignoring us because we don’t immediately feel or hear anything. But that doesn’t mean that He hasn’t heard or isn’t responding. Stand on His promise that He won’t ever leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). And since this is true, know that your prayers are not ignored and help is coming.
It’s Okay to Ask God for Help
I believe that God is delighted when we ask Him for help when we get stuck. He wants us to trust and acknowledge Him and seek comfort and inspiration from Him. In her article entitled “The Importance of Prayer in the Creative Process” Kerrie Howard states: “Communicating with the Lord throughout the artist’s day opens up the lines of dialog and allows creativity and ideas to pass down from the author of Creativity Himself.”
Think about it: If someone you love comes to you for help, would you turn them away? I know that my children need food, but I am not offended when they ask me to feed them. In the same way, God knows what we need before we ask, but He still responds in love and compassion when we pray to Him.
It is during prayer that I receive the inspiration for my art. I see visions of what I am to create when I am focused on God in prayer. These inspirations excite me beyond words. The more it happens, the more I am in awe of how involved The Creator is in the creative process. I now view creative roadblocks as an opportunity to turn away from the creative process and turn toward God, The Source of my creativity.
Read the Bible or something inspirational
The Bible for me is food. I am refueled, re-energized and restored when I connect with God through His Word. What usually happens when people who love each other gather together for a good meal? Stimulating conversation, laughter, joy, the pleasure of great food and great fellowship.
I love the invitation that Jesus, the Messiah, gives in Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Receive this; this is HUGE!: Jesus, The Bread of Life, The Word of God, knocks at the door of our hearts; and when we let Him in, He comes in and eats—shares the Bible/Himself/The Bread of Life/The Word of God—with us.
God will inspire you through His Word
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”(2 Timothy 3:16-17) How powerful is that? Everything that you need to equip you to do God’s will and be all that you have been created to do and be is found in the Bible. Not only will reading the Bible prove to be a respite from feeling blocked, but developing a steady diet of Spiritual food will strengthen and inspire the creative spirit in you.
Although I believe that the Bible should be the primary source to fuel creativity, there are other great sources of inspirational material out there. Have your own personal pick-me-up book, hand-written messages, or things that you have printed off the internet at hand in your creative space. Collect your personal arsenal of inspirational weapons to combat roadblocks to creativity.
Exercise
The creative person can become so engrossed in his art that time ceases to exist. We can forget to eat and deny the call of nature when we are deeply immersed in our creative passions. It’s also potentially one of the most sedentary lifestyles that one can lead unless one is a dancer or other type of performance artist.
I can spend hours at a task and not realize that time has slipped from morning to evening. When I come up for air, my body often feels like I need oil like the Tinman from The Wizard of Oz. I hear snaps, crackles and pops as joints and muscles are called back into service.
Get Your Juices Flowing
When experiencing a creativity shutdown, that phrase “get your juices flowing” has literal application. In his article in Scientific American, “Why Do I Think Better after I Exercise?” Justin Rhodes, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, wrote: “Research shows that when we exercise, blood pressure and blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better.” Exercise also releases endorphins—the feel-good chemicals—in the brain. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers and mood-elevator.
When you hit that creative roadblock, don’t just sit there on your butt or stare out the window or at a blank screen or piece of paper—MOVE! Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be stimulating. A gentle stroll is better than standing still. Curving your body to touch your toes is far more effective than curling up in the fetal position. Some exercise truly is better than doing nothing. And you might discover that not only do you like the increased stimulation to your brain but you like what it does for your body too.
Take a nap
Sleep is necessary. During sleep, the body and the brain are recharged, refreshed, and allowed to recover from daily activity. Ideally, you would visit Snoozeville for those recommended 7-9 hours each night. However, if you’re like the average American, you are lucky if you get six.
It’s amazing that it takes someone with an advanced degree or a fancy title to tell us what we should know by common sense. I once read a scientific study that “proved” that there are differences between male and female babies. Well, duh! At the time that I read the article I was taking care of my son and my niece who were both less than a year old. Each one of them had a shiny, metal baby spoon. My son gripped the spoon like a steering wheel and made car noises, and my niece picked up the spoon, caught her reflection in the metal and smiled at herself.
Scientific Proof that Naps are Wonderful
Nevertheless, just in case scientific proof is needed to justify giving your brain an opportunity to rest and recharge, check out some research that will empower you to happily darken the room, grab a blanket and graciously let your eyelids flutter close. (If you’re a manly man, your eyelids can clamp down or snap shut.)
- How Napping Changes Your Brain That Makes You More Creative by Rebecca Beris
- Napping is crucial for better memory and creativity! by Aditya S
- The science of naps by Kirsten Weir
Journal/free-writing
I am a recent convert to keeping a journal. I have “issues” from a childhood trauma that caused me to be highly resistant to committing my personal thoughts and secrets to paper. (See my blog post here for the full story.) However, I have become a dedicated journal-keeper and have experienced such release, inspiration and revelation from this exercise.
Journaling can take the form of writing or making visual entries. Either way, you are simply recording your thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, etc. It’s also a great way to purge so that whatever is blocking your creativity can be released. Ephesians 5:13 states: “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.” Journaling exposes your inner thoughts and turmoil to light. This allows you to honestly deal with issues, cares, or conflicts that might be contributing to your blockage.
Write. Release. Restore.
One of my favorite battering rams to get me through a creative roadblock is free-writing. Free writing is a simple and very effective way to achieve a breakthrough. An instructor, Mary Firestone on study.com defines it succinctly: “Freewriting is the practice of writing down all your thoughts without stopping, and without regard for spelling, grammar, or any of the usual rules for writing. It might include a topic as a general guide, or it might not. The purpose of the exercise varies, but it can be used to generate ideas and to clear out distracting thoughts. There are various possible forms of freewriting, such as journals, essays, and fiction writing.”
I love this form of writing because it throws all grammar rules, all self-consciousness about spelling ability, any need for a focused topic right out the window. It’s freedom. My thoughts soar and at the end of each session, I feel clear. It’s also during the process of free-writing that I feel God speaking to me. Oftentimes, what flows from my heart to my pen are prayers and petitions. And He responds to my call with revelation and inspiration. I cannot encourage you enough to try this exercise. Write. Release. Restore.
A Final Word
These 5 Effective Ways to Break Through Roadblocks to Creativity can be employed alone, in combination, and in any order. The most important lesson is to not accept any roadblock that prevents you from glorifying God with the gifts that He has given you. Rather than viewing the roadblock as a challenge, accept it as in invitation to get creative in addressing it. The ability to create is a gift from God, The Creator. Everything that we need to create and all that we accomplish when we create can be released and enhanced when we turn to the Lord. Whenever we face the challenge of a creative roadblock, we can overcome it because He has given us spiritual and practical tools to use at our discretion but with His direction.
I pray that you find abundant joy and blessings in creating to the glorify of God The Creator.
Please see my post Motivation and Inspiration Playbook: 10 Winning Strategies for additional strategies to fuel and elevate your creativity.
Other related posts:
Journaling: Expressing Your Heart Through Your Pen
Motivation and Inspiration Playbook: 10 Winning Strategies
