Fellow creatives. This one’s for you.

If I asked everyone reading this to raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten “burnt out”, I’m pretty confident everyone’s hands would be up. We all get it. The days where we doubt our integrity as artists, the days where we just can’t get ourselves to create anything unique, and the days where we just don’t feel like working at all. So today I’m sharing three tips for getting out of “The Funk” and being re-inspired.

#1. Create for YOURSELF.

This is so important. When we’re working in a career that also doubles as our creative outlet it can be easy to get caught up in the paid projects and forget about what got us started in the first place. Going out and photographing something that inspires you, for no one else but you, that’s the best way to re-ignite that passion.

Tip: I try and plan 1-2 shoots for myself every month! I know some photographers say at least 50% of the content you’re making should be for you. Whatever you need to do, find a way to keep pushing yourself creatively. The best way to stay out of a funk is to keep moving.

#2. Look for Inspiration.

When I talk about looking for inspiration I don’t mean just going out and pinning pretty pictures on Pinterest that you wish were your own. I’m talking about looking for authentic, artistic inspiration in every day life. What makes you happy? What makes you feel something? What colors are you drawn to? Where do you find beauty? Asking yourself these questions and then applying them to your work will be huge for not only creativity, but also for finding your style.

Tip: Some ideas of things to get inspiration from include movies, music, books, nature, exercise, paintings, etc.

#3. Find Balance.

9/10 times I experience that creative funk it’s because I was working too hard. It’s times when I’m trying to do too much at once and not balancing my time well enough that it all comes crashing down. When I’m stressed or tired I lose all desire to create, so making time for breaks and personal health no matter what is huge.

Tip: Try time management and batch working! Being your own boss can be hard, so giving yourself specific time frames that are “work hours” and making a plan for what tasks you want to accomplish during that time beforehand will help immensely.