It can be frustrating to “hit the wall” in your creative output, but — speaking from experience — that wall isn’t a wall. And once you realize what’s happening, you’ll feel much better about your journey as an artist.

As creative people, we often feel exhilaration when our brains are storming, our synapses are firing, and our output is exciting. These are the moments we live for!

But it’s not constant. Sometimes, creativity comes much slower. During those times, it feels as if we’re not progressing, and the excitement that comes from finding something new is a long-distant memory.

If you talk to many artists during those times, they’ll tell you their creativity has “hit the wall.”

But speaking from experience and perspective, I can assure you this is not the case. What you’re experiencing is not a wall but a plateau. It feels as if you’ve come to a full stop because you’ve stopped experiencing that exhilarating upward “whoosh” of creativity. But you are now on a horizontal plane.

That’s an important distinction. You can move forward on a horizontal plane. It may not be as thrilling as a vertical “whoosh,” but you must move forward.

After all, this is where you learn about yourself as an artist. This is where you build speed. And muscle memory. This is where you master all the things that became apparent during your last explosion of creative energy.

Moving forward is the only way to get to the next “whoosh” of creativity. Trust me; the burst of artistic energy after a long plateau is a satisfying experience.

Don’t get frustrated about “hitting the wall.” See it for what it is — a preparation for the subsequent big explosion of creativity.

Jumpstarting creativity

Here are some excellent strategies for getting your brain working again after you feel as if you’ve hit a wall:

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