20 roads to more creativity

27 May, 2025

Years ago, I sat down and made myself this little graphic above, seeking for ways to help me to create more. I just doodled the ideas, let whatever wanted to be written be written, and it’s been such an inspiration ever since.

Now I sit down and do something with my doodled words, I notice that a lot of the things I mention have become a habit.

Here is the list of the twenty ideas, with some notes on it.

1. There are no rules!
Seriously, none. Create without limit.

2. f*ck perfection
This is such an important one. Perfectionism has kept me from creating, so so often, especially with art journals.

3. surround yourself with inspiration
Create a wall of art that you love, pictures that you’d like to draw, or quotes that inspire you. Or, if you have limited space, take a small photo album and put the pictures and quotes in there. Leaf through that every time you’re stuck, and I guarantee you will create again.

4. declutter
You can’t create when your creative space is cluttered with things that don’t make you happy.

5. learn a new skill
When I was stuck with my creativity, I watched a lot of video’s on water colouring, just to see if that would get me to paint again. It did, as I was so excited to try new techniques.

6. don't limit the definition
I’m actually struggling a bit to understand what I meant with that line.
First thing that comes to mind is this: don’t just include sketches in sketchbooks, but write notes about your process. Don’t just paint with watercolours in a watercolour journal, but add pen to it, for instance.
I could have also meant to suggest that artist could mean so much more than the definition in the dictionary. It’s not just about paintings or sculpture. I think you’re also an artist if you create something with all sorts of mediums.
I don’t know, will have to ponder about that a bit more.

7. set out your tools
It’s so inspiring to come into your studio and see all the things laid out for you to use immediately.

8. make time
Everyone can make time to create. Even the most busy person can take a couple minutes to create something. Get creative in finding time to create!

9. art journal
The practice of art journaling is the most healing thing to my creativity. There are no rules, no regulations, I just slap on the page what wants to be on a page. I can combine techiques, play with papers and new tools.

10. play
Approach your creativity like a child would approach a new toy. Play with your tools, your paper, your canvas. Put on some music that makes you want to dance and sing, and bring that feeling to the paper, canvas etc.

11. when in doubt, collage
I have several art journals that I use for collage, and a small bin of stuff to put in it. It’s so freeing to just smear glue everywhere and make pretty abstract pictures.

12. limit your options
Sometimes, I just have way too many creative options to create. At moments like that, I just remove (or ruthlessly declutter) things until I have only my absolutely favourite things in front of me, and I create with that.

13. new toys
Nothing gets me creating like new toys. I’ve recently bought a 6 euro Koh-i-Noor water colour thingie, and filled page after page of my journal with it. You could also rotate your tools in view, so that when you see the ones you’d hidden, it may spark the same kind of creative zeal.

14. make an altar
I think altars can be used for many things, including creative inspiration. Get a tray or something and add things that inspire you, for instance a stone you once found or a small sculpture you like. Add things that bring you joy and that joy greets you every time you enter your studio.

15. always doodle
I have a journal that I carry everywhere with me, just so I can keep my creativity alive with journaling and quick sketches. I also have small sketchbooks all around the house to spark my creative engine. Some of my favourite things to doodle include my teacup of the day, things on the table or on/in a cabinet somewhere, trees, flowers and buildings.

16. list your fears
So often when I sit down to create, I’m hit with fears. Sometimes, that means that I have to grab a sheet of paper and list what I’m afraid of, just to get that out of the way.

17. keep an IDEA notebook
Or, like me, a page in your note taking app. I have ideas for my writing on there, short scribbles on blog posts I want to write for instance, but also ideas for other creative areas. I consult that list whenever I want to create something but have no idea what.

18. limit distractions
Don’t add things to your creative space that distract you, like a gaming console or a tv. Even set your phone aside. This is your creative time, live it!

19. don't compare
Oh boy, this is a constant struggle for me still. The fact that person A is more successful than me in a certain thing doesn’t mean I should stop doing that thing. Thoughts like that limit my creativity.

20. have fun
This is the most important thing! And if you don’t have fun while creating, consider #5. Maybe learning a new skill will bring that joy you seek!

I hope this was helpful!

#creativity #inspiration