5 Tips for Gettings Out of a Creative Funk

While working within the creative field, getting into a funk is common. I can easily get into a three day creative rut where I feel uninspired no matter what I read, view or think. I don’t want to shoot, edit, write, brainstorm… any of it. But after a couple days, I typically feel reinvigorated and am running with new, exciting content ideas.

For the first time in three-ish years, I had my largest rut ever. I have never gone this silent on my blog before.. publishing only once or twice a week. I strive to  publish four+ times a week while also curating content specifically for my social channels. This time around, my creative rut was long, frustrating, annoying, challenging and really had me question everything I had worked for since 2014. 

With many jobs I think you can push through if you just aren’t “feeling it”, but doing that here, or within other creative jobs, isn’t easy. I need to be transparent, authentic and myself which strikes a challenge when you are uninspired, and honestly, feeling a bit lost. I’m sure other bloggers can agree that at times, you wonder if what you’re doing is really helping people and actually has a purpose.

For me, it has always felt weird taking so many pictures of myself and splashing them all online. It can get tiring constantly pushing retailer sales, rather than divulging into lifestyle topics, because it’s what bring in a chunk of my income. It can be frustrating to do things the right, authentic way, while others are jumping ahead by fooling brands with fake social stats. The mass consumerism needed for fashion blogging can be gross too. All of this combined, plus being in a transition season (having two feet of snow outside, but needing to write topics about spring fashion), made this funk dig deep… three+ weeks deep, oyyy!

On top of this, I felt stretched so thin. I was constantly “going”. Even when I made time for myself, I still felt stressed, overwhelmed and never rested. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a weekend that wasn’t booked up with plans or blog campaign deadlines.

After divulging into what was on my mind to my IG fam, I had so many messages come in on how many of you could relate. Receiving so many messages from you girls really lifted my spirits because connecting with YOU is why I love blogging! Between those amazing conversations and talking it over with my very patient supportive girlfriend, Rachel, and my sweet husband, I finally felt the self-imposed pressure go away. I finally gave myself the time needed to reflect on the things driving me into this rut.

Even with how frustrated I felt and confused I was through those three weeks, I finally understand the purpose and learned from it. More on that in the coming weeks 😉

Today I wanted to share my five tips for getting out of a creative funk.

ONE // Remove the negative.
Whatever that is for you. For me, it was social media so I removed myself for a bit. I then cleaned up who I followed to only reflect people that inspired me, rather than people that made me dive into comparison. I still try to limit my time so I don’t go scrolling into the abyss and wasting time.

TWO // Remove the pressure.
I was so hard on myself that it only dove me into the creative funk even more. After I released the pressure to get out of it ASAP, I was finally able to relax, reflect and LEARN.

THREE // Find balance.
Easier said than done. Oftentimes my funks start when I lose balance in my life which is SO easy to do, right? When we skip work outs, girlfriend dates, or sleep to meet deadlines, we run ourselves down. When you balance yourself back out between travel, friends, work, family, health and more, you’ll feel better.

FOUR // Get movin’.
When your endorphins are running, you feel good. Getting up and active in a work out I love allows me to feel like my happy self and also focus better. Rather than wallow in your frustration with Ben & Jerry’s, go to spin, get outside for a run or turn on your favorite HIIT work out!

FIVE // Be honest with yourself.
Many times I wanted to suppress how I was feeling because I felt like it wasn’t “me”/wasn’t positive. I’m usually very focused on “my lane” and focusing on myself, not others. I’m also a very positive person, so I hated allowing myself to think bout things that were negative, but it helped! Digging into how you’re feeling, even if negative, for a bit helps your mind get out the thoughts so you can understand and learn from them.

If you’re in a creative rut, I really hope these five steps help you get out of it. Most importantly- don’t force it. Xo Mindy