I think we sometimes get so tied into our our field, that we need to obtain new inspiration from those in other fields.

I sometimes get designer’s block when making new stencils for my shirts.

Knowing that I am usually very creative and passionate about shirt designs gives me the confidence to put them aside until I feel compelled to design. The block is only temporary!

Creative endeavors are supposed to be enjoyable and energizing. If they stop feeling that way, it’s best to step back until the spark reignites. Trust that it will!

When I was in college, I wrote all the time–in class, when I was supposed to be writing notes… After I’d been out of school for a few years, I’d sit myself down at the computer to write, and nothing would happen. I was completely frustrated–I finally had more time to write (while I was in school I worked two jobs and took extra classes to finish quickly) but wasn’t actually *doing* any writing.

One day, I realized that writing in class had worked for me, not because I hadn’t had any other time to write (which was why I’d done it at the time), but because being in a lecture was oddly inspiring. Once I realized that, I signed up for a community college English class and happily wrote my way through each session.

To this day, I still use this technique whenever I find myself stuck–I sign up for a class, or find a seminar, meeting (small town hall meetings are great, I’ve found), or other venue where someone will be talking for a couple hours, and I happily write for pages and pages.

Thank you for sharing your writer’s block tools!

Jessica