Rec
I can make my home office space as comfy, cool, great as possible, but I just physically can NOT get myself to start on my creative work at home. I write, so depending on your craft, this can be different, of course.
I like to go to a park/green space with a notebook for idea generation, then a cafe to lock in and get a draft done. If I'm stuck on something, I go for a walk with a thematic playlist to see if I can work it out in my mind before going back to the page.
All of this to say - I need to be out of my living space. I have notes on notes on notes of ideas, excerpts, etc. but as much as I think about getting started, I find ten things I have to do at home (and sometimes, I just sink into a video game).
My advice is less about overcoming something, and more just getting outside of your space and going somewhere else with the express intent on Getting Started. Everyone works differently, so find the flow that works for you, but going to a new place with this intent gets the brain working (I think, anyway)
All of this to say - I need to be out of my living space. I have notes on notes on notes of ideas, excerpts, etc. but as much as I think about getting started, I find ten things I have to do at home (and sometimes, I just sink into a video game).
My advice is less about overcoming something, and more just getting outside of your space and going somewhere else with the express intent on Getting Started. Everyone works differently, so find the flow that works for you, but going to a new place with this intent gets the brain working (I think, anyway)
Jun 29, 2025
Related Recs
Rec
🎨General hell yeah to the previous recs. I mentioned The War of Art earlier today and it addresses specifically this question, if you feel reading a book would help.
I'm a creature of habit so having a routine is vital for me. An hour or two right after work is my create time everyday. I do my best to eliminate distraction by writing drafts out by hand or typing on my ipad mini + portable keyboard combo. And you need to get to a place where you can accept that unproductive create time is not wasted time. Staring into the middle distance is vital to the creative process.
Reduce friction so you can't make excuses to not create! That means keeping that camera on you AT ALL TIMES. Keep pen and paper on you AT ALL TIMES. Whatever you need for your project it needs to be with you or easily accessible otherwise you won't make space for it.
And feed your brain. Read, watch, listen, play, and experience as much as you can.
I'm a creature of habit so having a routine is vital for me. An hour or two right after work is my create time everyday. I do my best to eliminate distraction by writing drafts out by hand or typing on my ipad mini + portable keyboard combo. And you need to get to a place where you can accept that unproductive create time is not wasted time. Staring into the middle distance is vital to the creative process.
Reduce friction so you can't make excuses to not create! That means keeping that camera on you AT ALL TIMES. Keep pen and paper on you AT ALL TIMES. Whatever you need for your project it needs to be with you or easily accessible otherwise you won't make space for it.
And feed your brain. Read, watch, listen, play, and experience as much as you can.
Rec
📝Unfortunately there's no solution that works for everyone all the time. (If there was, I'd be published by now🙈.) BUT here are some things that I sometimes do to try and conquer the block:
•Let it sizzle: This is my least favorite suggestion, so I'm getting it out of the way first. Sometimes that project/idea/etc. needs time to marinate before you can keep going. This is especially a good idea if you've been working at it relentlessly, and possibly grown fatigue. If it loses its novelty and stops impressing you, you're gonna be less inclined to WANT to keep going. Leave that doc alone for a week or two, and return when your mind is fresh. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find inspiration/have a shower thought that prompts you to go back.
•Put canon aside for a sec: Start with a writing prompt. This can be a one word prompt, or an absolutely ridiculous scenario to put your character in. Allow yourself to write a non-canonical or semi-canonical snippet/oneshot around this prompt. This is something I usually do begrudgingly, but it HAS helped me get in my characters' heads, further establish their voices and mannerisms, and learn a lot about how my worlds operate outside of The Plot.
•Delete the section that's stumping you and rewrite it from memory: This is a weird one, but it's helped me before. If you're stuck and can't move forward from a particular spot, it might help to (momentarily) cut the text out. Attempt to rewrite it from memory, and see where it takes you. It may land you in the same dead end, but every so often you'll end up with something better than before.
•Write out of order (write what you want): I always do this anyway, but mad respect to anyone who's structured enough to NOT jump around all the time. But uh... this is sometimes what you NEED to do, I think. I've started writing where I can, and putting placeholders like <THIS HAPPENS> <TIME PASSES> <IDK WHAT'S NEXT> where I can't. Sometimes, by skipping around and writing that one special scene, I simultaneously create the context needed to fill in some of those gaps.
•Change up your text, visually: I think this is a tip I saw on Tumblr of all places. Taking what you've written and changing the font is something that will quite literally alter the way you look at the text in front of you. Nothing may come of it, but it may psychologically trick you into reading it from a different perspective. Try a more whimsical font, or one that matches the tone and theme of the work. Make it bigger. Smaller. Change the color. Change the background color. You never know what might help🤷♀️
•Make a playlist: This actually hurts me more than it helps, because I'll focus on doing stuff like this OVER writing my thing. But it can be fun to make a playlist of songs that remind me of my story. Whether that's songs to embody my characters and their personalities, songs that I think they'd listen to, songs that fit the mood and ambiance of my story, songs that remind me of certain scenes or locations, songs that would play in a theoretical soundtrack/AMV, etc.!!! Once you've compiled 'em, listening through could conjure up ideas to get you back in the game. Doesn't hurt to give it a go!
•Watch or read something in the same genre: I'm not encouraging plagiarism or anything, but am saying that reading "Frankenstein" and watching "Nosferatu" really put me in the mood and mindset to forge on with my gothic horror novel. My mind was RACING with macabre inspiration. I think this sort of ties in with the playlist suggestion for that reason.
•Devote a notebook or bullet journal to this project: Use it for EVERYTHING except writing the actual work. Give yourself ten minutes to write as complete of an outline as you can. Make a list of everything that's stumping you. Be CANDID: admit when you're having a hard time growing fond of a certain character, or fitting in a certain scene, or overcoming a plothole. Make a list of all the things you need to research. Brainstorm dialogue. Paste in pictures from magazines that remind you of your world and characters. Go crazy!
Ultimately it's hard to know what will and won't work to get you out of your slump. Sometimes it feels like you'll never make it through. Every writer is different, and what works like a charm for one person can actively harm another's creative process. But keep trudging on, and look for inspiration everywhere. I believe in you, and wish you luck on your journey!
•Let it sizzle: This is my least favorite suggestion, so I'm getting it out of the way first. Sometimes that project/idea/etc. needs time to marinate before you can keep going. This is especially a good idea if you've been working at it relentlessly, and possibly grown fatigue. If it loses its novelty and stops impressing you, you're gonna be less inclined to WANT to keep going. Leave that doc alone for a week or two, and return when your mind is fresh. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find inspiration/have a shower thought that prompts you to go back.
•Put canon aside for a sec: Start with a writing prompt. This can be a one word prompt, or an absolutely ridiculous scenario to put your character in. Allow yourself to write a non-canonical or semi-canonical snippet/oneshot around this prompt. This is something I usually do begrudgingly, but it HAS helped me get in my characters' heads, further establish their voices and mannerisms, and learn a lot about how my worlds operate outside of The Plot.
•Delete the section that's stumping you and rewrite it from memory: This is a weird one, but it's helped me before. If you're stuck and can't move forward from a particular spot, it might help to (momentarily) cut the text out. Attempt to rewrite it from memory, and see where it takes you. It may land you in the same dead end, but every so often you'll end up with something better than before.
•Write out of order (write what you want): I always do this anyway, but mad respect to anyone who's structured enough to NOT jump around all the time. But uh... this is sometimes what you NEED to do, I think. I've started writing where I can, and putting placeholders like <THIS HAPPENS> <TIME PASSES> <IDK WHAT'S NEXT> where I can't. Sometimes, by skipping around and writing that one special scene, I simultaneously create the context needed to fill in some of those gaps.
•Change up your text, visually: I think this is a tip I saw on Tumblr of all places. Taking what you've written and changing the font is something that will quite literally alter the way you look at the text in front of you. Nothing may come of it, but it may psychologically trick you into reading it from a different perspective. Try a more whimsical font, or one that matches the tone and theme of the work. Make it bigger. Smaller. Change the color. Change the background color. You never know what might help🤷♀️
•Make a playlist: This actually hurts me more than it helps, because I'll focus on doing stuff like this OVER writing my thing. But it can be fun to make a playlist of songs that remind me of my story. Whether that's songs to embody my characters and their personalities, songs that I think they'd listen to, songs that fit the mood and ambiance of my story, songs that remind me of certain scenes or locations, songs that would play in a theoretical soundtrack/AMV, etc.!!! Once you've compiled 'em, listening through could conjure up ideas to get you back in the game. Doesn't hurt to give it a go!
•Watch or read something in the same genre: I'm not encouraging plagiarism or anything, but am saying that reading "Frankenstein" and watching "Nosferatu" really put me in the mood and mindset to forge on with my gothic horror novel. My mind was RACING with macabre inspiration. I think this sort of ties in with the playlist suggestion for that reason.
•Devote a notebook or bullet journal to this project: Use it for EVERYTHING except writing the actual work. Give yourself ten minutes to write as complete of an outline as you can. Make a list of everything that's stumping you. Be CANDID: admit when you're having a hard time growing fond of a certain character, or fitting in a certain scene, or overcoming a plothole. Make a list of all the things you need to research. Brainstorm dialogue. Paste in pictures from magazines that remind you of your world and characters. Go crazy!
Ultimately it's hard to know what will and won't work to get you out of your slump. Sometimes it feels like you'll never make it through. Every writer is different, and what works like a charm for one person can actively harm another's creative process. But keep trudging on, and look for inspiration everywhere. I believe in you, and wish you luck on your journey!
Jul 15, 2025
Rec
🎨First things first: it doesn't matter the quality, the quantity, or the end result. If you create, you're a creative, full stop! Don't tell yourself you're a copier, think of it as adopting little pieces of the things you love and using them as inspiration to drive you. As long as you're not straight-up plagiarizing, there's nothing wrong with using something you love as a stepping stool to grow your own abilities, or as a palette with which you paint your own world.
Also, it's totally normal to feel stuck in a rut, or unoriginal, or to fall out of love with something you've made, or to feel doubt start seeping in. And it sucks! I'm often stricken with the realization that I'm one voice in a sea of millions, and I feel insecure that people will see me as lesser. Or worse: overlook my creations entirely. It makes me lose momentum in my creative process, and makes me feel more disheartened and nervous to put my stuff out there in the first place. "What if I put my heart and soul into this and nobody sees it?" "What if I bleed onto the pages and the consensus is "it's mid"???" "What if I'm wasting my time, and come back in two weeks and think this is utter garbage?" "What if people think it's too close to <other person's work>?"
But then I remember... we're kind of ALL out here, putting our hearts into stuff, trying new things, throwing around ideas, and hoping something sticks. And that's how pretty much EVERY work of art is made! And while it's awesome to get outpourings of support on the things you make, and recognition makes your work feel worthwhile... nothing is going to make you feel more fulfilled than putting your heart and soul into something you're passionate about, and seeing it through to YOUR satisfaction. Ultimately it's not about what other people think, it's about keeping that passion alive in you, and cultivating it so that it never dies.
So what can we do about burnout? Or lack of inspiration? Or when the hope levels are too low? Unfortunately all my "tips" are more abstract than practical step-by-step fixes.
Personally, I recommend steadily and eagerly engaging in the things that you tend to "copy" in the first place. Stop for a moment, and picture the word "enthusiasm." What comes to your mind? What makes you feel that way? Chase that feeling down like it's your most treasured keepsake floating away in wild rapids! Watch shows with artstyles you aspire to. Listen to songs that get you daydreaming. Get out in nature during the sunrise/sunset. Go see animals in a zoo/aquarium, or go people-watching in a mall/park. All the while, don't stop THINKING and MAKING THINGS. Doesn't have to be cute, or fleshed-out, because the beauty is in the moment. Snap candid photos, sketch freehand vignettes of what you see, jot down prose inspired by your surroundings, do whatever you can to keep your momentum without losing the joy associated with it.
The more you let yourself create freely, the more comfortable you'll be in the future when faced with the dreaded Block, the bumps, the discouragement, or anything else that may try to slow you down. And honestly? If you still find yourself stuck, good news: you're still a creative! And that will hold true as long as you desire to be.
TLDR: Don't stop making beautiful things, and if you get to a point where you feel you can no longer make beautiful things, make "ugly" things and surround yourself with things you see as beautiful.
Also, it's totally normal to feel stuck in a rut, or unoriginal, or to fall out of love with something you've made, or to feel doubt start seeping in. And it sucks! I'm often stricken with the realization that I'm one voice in a sea of millions, and I feel insecure that people will see me as lesser. Or worse: overlook my creations entirely. It makes me lose momentum in my creative process, and makes me feel more disheartened and nervous to put my stuff out there in the first place. "What if I put my heart and soul into this and nobody sees it?" "What if I bleed onto the pages and the consensus is "it's mid"???" "What if I'm wasting my time, and come back in two weeks and think this is utter garbage?" "What if people think it's too close to <other person's work>?"
But then I remember... we're kind of ALL out here, putting our hearts into stuff, trying new things, throwing around ideas, and hoping something sticks. And that's how pretty much EVERY work of art is made! And while it's awesome to get outpourings of support on the things you make, and recognition makes your work feel worthwhile... nothing is going to make you feel more fulfilled than putting your heart and soul into something you're passionate about, and seeing it through to YOUR satisfaction. Ultimately it's not about what other people think, it's about keeping that passion alive in you, and cultivating it so that it never dies.
So what can we do about burnout? Or lack of inspiration? Or when the hope levels are too low? Unfortunately all my "tips" are more abstract than practical step-by-step fixes.
Personally, I recommend steadily and eagerly engaging in the things that you tend to "copy" in the first place. Stop for a moment, and picture the word "enthusiasm." What comes to your mind? What makes you feel that way? Chase that feeling down like it's your most treasured keepsake floating away in wild rapids! Watch shows with artstyles you aspire to. Listen to songs that get you daydreaming. Get out in nature during the sunrise/sunset. Go see animals in a zoo/aquarium, or go people-watching in a mall/park. All the while, don't stop THINKING and MAKING THINGS. Doesn't have to be cute, or fleshed-out, because the beauty is in the moment. Snap candid photos, sketch freehand vignettes of what you see, jot down prose inspired by your surroundings, do whatever you can to keep your momentum without losing the joy associated with it.
The more you let yourself create freely, the more comfortable you'll be in the future when faced with the dreaded Block, the bumps, the discouragement, or anything else that may try to slow you down. And honestly? If you still find yourself stuck, good news: you're still a creative! And that will hold true as long as you desire to be.
TLDR: Don't stop making beautiful things, and if you get to a point where you feel you can no longer make beautiful things, make "ugly" things and surround yourself with things you see as beautiful.
Jul 19, 2025
Top Recs from @motleyshrew
Rec
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh and Girl On Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves by Sophie Gilbert.
I'm really enjoying both, despite how many times Girl On Girl punches me in the gut with lines like, "Movies in the aughts hated women."
May 21, 2025
Rec
🐸Shows are impossible to go to, now. The entire Ticketmaster platform is filled with scalpers that TM choose to foster, rather than ensure that fans can see artists perform. (Yes, I'm salty because yet another performer's presale is on and tickets are "Verified Resale" for $500+ each.)
I just want so badly for everyone to stop spending thousands of dollars on shit seats so the industry caves in on itself and makes way for progress. Concerts are not supposed to be this way, and we aren't getting there if people keep throwing a $2000 ticket on their credit card for 300-level seats.
Don't be the frog boiling in the water, HOP OUT OF THE POT!
I just want so badly for everyone to stop spending thousands of dollars on shit seats so the industry caves in on itself and makes way for progress. Concerts are not supposed to be this way, and we aren't getting there if people keep throwing a $2000 ticket on their credit card for 300-level seats.
Don't be the frog boiling in the water, HOP OUT OF THE POT!
Apr 23, 2025
Rec
⭐After three, I say something like, "oh, wow" or if it's my partner, I jokingly say "stop it".
May 2, 2025