Have you ever had one of those times that you’re on a deadline but just can’t muster up the motivation to complete a project? Maybe you’re just not feeling creative and you can’t get started. Or you’ve already started but just can’t bring yourself to finish the project. That’s perfectly normal! Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner, everyone hits a rut every now and then that just causes all motivation to go flying out the window.
As crafters and creators, I think people sometimes assume we’re an unending wealth of crafty ideas, and we’re always super excited to create our next project. And while that’s generally true, we’re only human, and it’s only normal to get stuck or lose our motivation every now and then. As every crafter knows, it’s no fun trying to create when you don’t feel creative!
I find this is particularly true when there’s an event or occasion coming up that I know I want to make something for, but I just don’t know what to do and I’m not feeling very creative. So instead of working on the project, I put it off until right before the deadline. By the time I’m at the point that I just can’t put it off any longer, it’s become this big ordeal that I’m really not excited about and I don’t really feel like making at all. The project has become a chore!
The good news is that there are ways to overcome these feelings and get a jump start on creating those projects. With a little inspiration, we can create amazing DIY projects even when we’re not feeling creative. Because at the end of the day, if the project doesn’t get completed, the only thing we’re left with is a pile of unused supplies to show off, and that’s just no fun at all.
How to Create When You Don’t Feel Creative
Get started. Often times the hardest part of a project is getting started. But once you do get started, you find you’re on a roll, your creative juices start flowing, and you’re much more motivated to create. So even if you think you’re not in the mood to do a project, try to complete the first few steps, and you might find that gives you enough momentum to complete the project.
Find your why. What is your reason for creating? Is it because you enjoy the transformation process? Is it to save money? Is it to give beautiful handmade gifts? Everyone has different reasons, and figuring out yours can help you create when you don’t feel creative. Write it down on a piece of paper and post it somewhere you’ll see it on a regular basis to serve as inspiration and a reminder of why you started DIYing in the first place.
Pump up the volume. Turn on your favorite radio station, and make sure it’s upbeat. There’s nothing like listening to your favorite music to put a swing in your step and jump start your creativity! Music has the power to completely change your mood and outlook. And this works for other things, too. If you ever have a task you don’t want to do, some upbeat background music can make a world of a difference in turning it from a chore into something much more fun.
Don’t force yourself to do crafts you no longer enjoy. People change, hobbies change, and interests and skills change. If there’s a craft you once enjoyed doing but no longer get enjoyment from, it’s time to move on. We all have a limited amount of time in our days, and if we’re going to be crafting, it should be something we get enjoyment out of and that doesn’t feel like a chore. Forcing oursevles to do things we don’t enjoy is an easy way to lose creative motivation fast!
Eliminate distractions. When we’re not motivated, it’s so easy to get distracted and find other things to do instead. If you find yourself checking Facebook or browsing online instead of working on your projects, turn off the computer and put the phone away when you’re trying to focus. It’s much harder to procrastinate when those temptations aren’t right at your fingertips. The distractions might even be the reason why you’re not feeling creative!
Power through. While you generally shouldn’t force yourself to craft if you’re not in the mood, there are times when you might have to power through to get a project completed. Maybe you’re working on a gift or something you told someone you’d make, and now the deadline is fast approaching and you’re still not done. In those instances, it’s important to just buckle down and get the work done.
Move onto a project that excites you. If you have a bunch of projects in the works and you find yourself constantly putting one of them off or just not making progress, try moving on to something different. Sometimes a change in focus and starting something new gives your mind the motivation it needs to get you back in the mood to create when you don’t feel creative.
Identify the reason you’re feeling unmotivated. Is it because you don’t know what to do? Is it because you just don’t feel like crafting? Is it because you’re afraid of making a mistake? Is it because you feel rushed and just don’t have enough time to complete the project? Often times figuring out the reason why we’re stuck is helpful, because we can address the problem head on rather than avoiding it.
Reward yourself. We’re only human, after all, and sometimes a little self bribery is all it takes to make progress on a project. Perhaps spending the evening with a bowl of ice cream while catching up on your favorite show is enough incentive to start creating and get the job done? Whatever you prefer, figure out your reward ahead of time so that when you feel your motivation lacking, you know you’ll have a reward to look forward to in the end.
Block out time for creating. We’re always so busy that it’s too easy to keep putting off projects and never give ourselves the chance to create. By making craft time a priority and putting it on the calendar, you’ll give yourself the chance to work on your projects and get creative. You might even find that it can give you something to look forward to and become an enjoyable part of your routine.
Crafting and creating should be a fun, enjoyable process, but for the times when it’s hard to get motivated, these tricks can help you jump start your brain and get those creative gears turning! It can be difficult to create when you don’t feel creative, but it is definitely possible! Because those DIY projects aren’t going to complete themselves, unfortunately. 😉
How do you create when you don’t feel creative? Do you have any tricks to add to the list? I’d love to hear about them in the comments! And if you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my newsletter. Sign up below for weekly craft, DIY, and home projects and tips!
These are all great tips! I have found over the years that I can be really creative under pressure (but not TOO much pressure!). So, if I have some sort of a deadline looming over me, I’m much more likely to come up with something awesome and actually get it done!
Thanks, Amanda! That is very true! Sometimes just the right amount of pressure is all you need to jump start that creativity and get those projects finished in time!
I completely agree with these tips. I find that when I’m stuck on a project sometimes I need to take a break or just give it up and start a new one. It’s OK to not continue working on something, especially if it doesn’t make you happy! I also find it’s helpful to block out time once a week to work on and complete projects so you don’t feel so overwhelmed.
True, Brooke! Working on a project you don’t like is no fun! Time blocking is a great way to get a bunch of projects finished all at once! Anything to help spur that creativity on and make progress on those projects!
So true Celeste!I feel blank many times, not knowing what to do next. Your tips are all helpful and I find that the first one with me is the one that mostly gets the ball rolling. I start and then I can’t stop! I get ideas while I’m in the making! Great to have you over at Sweet Inspiration! Have a good weekend!
Yes, Katrin! Once you get started, it can be like a domino effect, which is perfect for getting those projects finished!
Such an insightful post Celeste! It’s not a topic I see people talk about often but it’s definitely something I’m sure most of us creatives deal with from time to time. I know for me, if I’m stressed all creativity goes out the window. In those cases usually giving myself the grace to do something else for a bit {like catching up on a favorite show, just enjoying some time outside, talking with a friend, etc…) works well for me.
Great idea, Linda. Sometimes taking a break from the project can help you refocus so the next time you go to work on it, you’re really motivated to get it done. Stress can be very demotivating, so reducing stress can help get you back in the mood to create!
I, too, work better with a deadline otherwise I procrastinate but I still would love to be like one of the students at uni who always finished her assignments 3 days before the deadline and then enjoyed herself with dinner out or even a day or two on a short break and was so relaxed. Her marks were excellent too. This was 20 years ago and I’m still putting off my tasks!!
Lol some habits never change, Angela! I was never one of those people who finished things days ahead of a deadline, either. I suppose some people just work differently than others. I find setting aside a specific time is helpful for getting stuff done, because otherwise, like you said, procrastination hits and then things never get done.
These are all really great suggestions you make Celeste. I find that sometimes when I’m stuck I will go and look at my stash of stuff. Maybe a drawer that is full of junk or a jar that is full of ribbons. The best way to find motivation is to look at other blogs. Tha really gets my creativity flowing.
Great ideas, Mary! Sometimes all it takes to jolt your creativity is to start digging through your craft stash. I also find other blogs motivating, as well. Although they can be a little too motivating, because I find WAY more projects than I’ll ever have time to make! 😉
These are all such great ideas to remember when those creative block inevitably hit. I find that your first suggestion, just start usually does the trick for me. I’m often not quite sure what I’m doing, but if I just start, then I figure it all out.
Same here, Rebecca! Often, getting started is the hardest part. But once you do, it puts things into motion and those creative gears just start turning. Once they start, it’s hard to stop!