In the midst of the current pandemic, many are struggling to find that spark of inspiration to ignite their creativity. If you are someone who feels as though you are barely holding onto your creativity, here are some tips to stay creative while in quarantine.

1) Don’t try to force your creativity

While this might sound like a backward approach, forced creativity isn’t a formula to being creative at all. If anything, it will only exhaust your creative thinking. Instead, try giving yourself time and space away from your creative tasks. Of course, the amount of time it will take for your creativity to naturally take hold again may vary from person to person, so don’t try to rush it. It may only take a simple walk outside or a week’s worth of rest until the thought of creating isn’t so daunting anymore.

This tip was recommended by Junior May Maung, who shared how “not exercising my creativity for long enough made me crave being creative again.”

Just have faith in the process because if you truly love creating, most likely that love of yours will seep back in before you even realize it.

2) Take a break to focus on your mental health

It’s okay to not be productive or creative every second of the day. Often, when we feel creatively stunted, we tend to beat ourselves up over it. However, do try to be kind to yourself and understand that it is completely normal to be feeling this way. We are facing strange and uncertain times right now; there is no need to be placing the blame on yourself. On the contrary, place some attention on your own well-being and ask whether you have given yourself the proper time and space to adjust, to both mentally and emotionally recover.

3) Experiment with other creative outlets

Rather than putting so much emphasis on what you “should” be doing, ask yourself what you genuinely desire doing. In order words, don’t fight your desire to do a different task, even if it may seem less important. In actuality, switching tasks allows you to exercise a different part of your brain, which may well feel like a break for your mind. By switching from writing an intense essay, for example, to doing something more hands-on and crafty, like knitting or painting, you are rewiring your brain to focus on another task. Upon returning to your original task, you may find that your mind feels freer, allowing you to discover new ways of approaching your work.

“After taking the AP tests, I had started watching more Netflix shows, which is not something I typically do. The more I watched, however, the more the animation and artworks I saw gradually started influencing my own drawings and I drew inspiration from that,” shared junior Ophelia Lu.

4) Connect with others who share your interests

If you feel that you have exhausted all sources of inspiration, try seeking advice from others who share similar interests. Whether it be taking lessons from someone you admire or simply connecting with friends who have a common passion, drawing inspiration from others through shared interests can rekindle your love for creating.

“I pull inspiration from others’ poetry and by the music I listen to,” said junior Nina Wang.

5) Remind yourself of what had fueled your passion in the first place

Remind yourself why you’re passionate about creating in the first place. What drew your interest and prompted you to pursue your creative endeavors? Looking back at old works, such as past photographs you’ve taken, videos you’ve recorded, or works of art you’ve created, will all help to motivate you. It can remind you of the goals you had set for yourself and allow you to realize how much you’ve accomplished since then, how far you’ve come in the hopes of achieving them.

In summary, know that there isn’t a quick or easy way to jump back into your creative process. Instead, try to understand that we are all facing an unusual and frightening time and that it’s okay to be hesitant to jump back into something. Maintaining your mental and emotional well-being should be your top priority, and if that means taking a break from pursuing your creative endeavors, then allow yourself to step away. Have faith that your creativity will seep back in time. It can be a slow process but know that it’s little things like this that will start to set aflame that creative flame inside of you.

Graphic courtesy of 1111ARTS.ORG