*This story was updated and edited by Jenna Heil on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, for clarity and brevity.
Experiencing creative block is an inevitable part of life, especially for artists and designers. It can come in many different forms and for a variety of different reasons. Identifying the source of the block is essential, so you can take the appropriate steps to overcome it. Take a look at four of the most common causes of creative block!
1. Stress!
While some thrive under pressure, others can feel stifled by stress. The ability to create is often linked to external circumstances and when stressful situations arise, it can halt creativity. To help combat this and bring back the creative juices, we recommend finding a comfortable and calm space to quiet your mind. Shut down your phones and computers, spend time outdoors, mediate, cook, sew, sketch, paint or listen to music. Find something that brings you joy and focus only on that. This peaceful time will allow you to create a space for new ideas to grow.
2. A growing period.
Creativity can be similar to growing flowers in a garden, it’s a repeating cycle that includes germination, growth and then flowering. Perhaps what you perceive as a creative block is rather a period of development or growth, not a block. Changing your mindset to this philosophy can be both liberating and soothing. When we allow time for ideas to grow and bloom, we increase the chances of those ideas coming to life and reaching their full potential.
3. An abundance of ideas.
Decision fatigue is quite common when there is an abundance of ideas and an uncertainty about which one to pursue. While typically having too many ideas isn’t seen as a bad thing, sometimes the more ideas one has, the more overwhelming it can be. For creatives in this position, it can be beneficial to write or sketch all of your ideas before choosing the one that produces the most excitement and joy. Remember, you can always pursue a different idea in the future if it doesn’t end up working out how you initially expected.
4. Fear of imperfection.
One of the most common reasons for creative block is the fear of imperfection. Many creatives consider themselves perfectionists, which can prevent them from pursuing ideas or completing projects. The reality however is the only way to truly “perfect” your craft is by actually creating. To push through the perfectionist mindset, artists and designers need to help encourage each other and remember that growth is the closest thing to perfection. It’s not the end of the world to start over when an idea reaches a dead end – it just means a new beginning.
As you walk through any period of creative block, remember to give yourself space and time to create as an artist and designer. Recognize what causes your creative block, and do your best to push through. Creativity cannot be forced, so remember to look around you for new sources of creativity and allow yourself the ability to fail in order to succeed.
For more information on what causes creative block, check out the Student Learning Center’s tip sheet on Creative Block. This piece was written by Lea Greenwood from the SLC. The SLC welcomes students from all programs both on-campus and online who strive to do better in the classroom while perfecting their craft. Self-schedule an appointment with the SLC here or email the SLC at [email protected].
FAQs: What Causes Creative Block?
What is creative block?
Creative block is a period when an artist, designer, or other creative person struggles to generate ideas or move a project forward. It is a normal and inevitable part of creative life, and it can show up in many forms and for many reasons. Because the causes vary, identifying what is behind a particular block is the first step toward working through it.
What are the most common causes of creative block?
Four of the most common causes are stress, a natural growth or development period, having too many ideas at once, and the fear of imperfection. Stress from external circumstances can stifle the ability to create, while an overload of ideas can lead to decision fatigue. Sometimes what feels like a block is actually a developmental phase, and perfectionism can stop people from starting or finishing work. Recognizing which cause applies makes it easier to respond effectively.
How do you overcome creative block caused by stress?
When stress is the source, the goal is to quiet the mind and create space for new ideas. That can mean finding a calm, comfortable environment, stepping away from phones and screens, and spending time outdoors. Activities that bring you joy, such as cooking, sketching, painting, walking, or listening to music, help shift your focus and let creativity return naturally. The key is giving yourself permission to rest rather than forcing the work.
Is creative block sometimes just a growth period?
Yes. What feels like a block can actually be a natural phase of development, much like the cycle of a plant moving through germination, growth, and flowering. Reframing the experience this way can be both freeing and calming, because it reminds you that ideas need time to take shape. Allowing that time often increases the chances of an idea reaching its full potential rather than being rushed.
How can perfectionism cause creative block?
Many creatives identify as perfectionists, and the fear of producing something imperfect can keep them from starting or completing projects. The irony is that the only way to improve a craft is by actually making work, flaws and all. Pushing past perfectionism often means leaning on encouragement from peers and accepting that growth, not flawlessness, is the real goal. Starting over when an idea stalls is simply a new beginning, not a failure.
How do you choose between too many creative ideas?
Having an abundance of ideas can feel overwhelming and lead to decision fatigue, where uncertainty about which path to take stalls progress. A helpful approach is to write down or sketch every idea first, then choose the one that sparks the most excitement and joy. It also helps to remember that the ideas you set aside are not lost; you can always return to a different one later if your first choice does not work out.
How long does creative block last?
There is no fixed timeline, since creative block varies from person to person and depends on its underlying cause. Some blocks lift quickly once stress eases or a decision is made, while others reflect a longer period of growth that simply needs time. Rather than focusing on speed, it helps to give yourself space, look around for fresh sources of inspiration, and allow room to fail, since creativity cannot be forced.
