Breaking Through: 7 Practical Tips for Overcoming A Creative Block

As a Scholarly Mama juggling the demands of academic life and family responsibilities, encountering a creative block during your PhD journey can feel particularly challenging. Whether you’re struggling with writer’s block, hitting a wall in your research progress, or simply feeling stuck in a rut, know that you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll explore seven effective strategies to help you overcome creative block and reignite your academic spark.

As it’s the publication anniversary of my own creative adventure (my Doodle Dozen® children’s book series), I thought I’d reflect on the benefits of tapping into your creativity as a Scholarly Mama for creating purposeful success, especially when you feel stuck in a creative block!

Understanding Creative Blocks in Academia

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s take a moment to understand what creative block means in an academic context. Unlike the traditional notion of writer’s block, creative block in a PhD journey can manifest in various ways:

• Difficulty in generating new ideas or approaches for your research
• Feeling stuck when trying to analyse data or interpret results
• Struggling to write or articulate your thoughts clearly
• Lacking motivation or inspiration to move forward with your work

Creative block can be particularly frustrating for Scholarly Mamas who often have limited time and energy to dedicate to their research. The pressure to make the most of every available moment can exacerbate feelings of being stuck or unproductive.

By the way, if you would prefer to listen to a podcast episode on this topic, please feel free to use the player below:

7 Tips to Overcome a Creative Block in Your PhD

1. Embrace the Power of Taking a Break

It might seem counterintuitive, especially when you’re feeling the pressure to make progress, but taking a break can be one of the most effective ways to overcome creative block. Here’s why:

• Clearing your mind: A break allows you to step away from the problem and return with a fresh perspective.
• Reducing stress: High stress levels can inhibit creativity. Taking time to relax can lower stress and boost your creative thinking.
• Recharging your brain: Your mind needs rest to function at its best. A well-rested brain is more capable of creative problem-solving.

Consider incorporating regular breaks into your routine, even if they’re short. Use this time to engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, such as:

• Going for a walk in nature
• Practicing mindfulness or meditation
• Reading a book for pleasure
• Engaging in a hobby unrelated to your research

Remember, taking breaks is not a luxury – it’s a necessity for maintaining your creative edge and overall well-being during your PhD journey.

2. Change Your Environment

Your surroundings can have a significant impact on your creativity and productivity. If you find yourself stuck in a creative rut, try changing your work environment. Here are some ideas:

• Work from a different location: If you usually work from home, try spending a few hours at a library, café, or co-working space.
• Rearrange your workspace: Sometimes, a simple rearrangement of your desk or office can provide a fresh perspective.
• Get outdoors: Weather permitting, try working outside in a park or garden for a change of scenery.
• Visit your university campus: If you’re primarily working from home, spending time on campus can help you feel more connected to your academic community and potentially spark new ideas.

The key is to find an environment that inspires you and helps you focus. Pay attention to how different settings affect your mood and productivity, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.

3. Tap into Your Inner Child’s Creativity

As adults, especially in academia, we often forget the power of childlike creativity and imagination. Reconnecting with your inner child can be a surprisingly effective way to overcome creative block. Here’s how you can do it:

• Engage in creative play: Set aside time for activities like coloring, drawing, or building with blocks. Don’t worry about the end result – focus on the joy of creating. This is exactly what I did by writing my Doodle Dozen® children’s books.
• Write freely: Try freewriting or journaling without any academic purpose. Let your thoughts flow without judgment or structure.
• Explore new hobbies: Take up a new creative hobby like pottery, painting, or creative writing. These activities can stimulate different parts of your brain and inspire fresh thinking in your research.
• Play with your children: Join in the kids’ imaginative play. Their uninhibited creativity might inspire new ways of looking at your research problems.

Remember, the goal is not to produce anything related to your PhD directly. Instead, it’s about rekindling your creative spirit and approaching problems with a more open, playful mindset.

4. Seek Inspiration from Other Fields

When you’re deeply immersed in your specific research area, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision. Breaking out of this mindset by seeking inspiration from other fields can be incredibly refreshing and may lead to innovative approaches in your own work. Here’s how to do it:

• Attend interdisciplinary seminars or workshops: Look for events outside your immediate field of study. You might be surprised by the connections you can draw to your own research.
• Read widely: Explore literature, scientific journals, or popular science books from different disciplines. This can expose you to new ideas and methodologies.
• Collaborate with researchers from other fields: Seek out opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration or simply have informal discussions with colleagues from different departments.
• Apply concepts from other fields to your research: Think about how theories or methods from unrelated fields might apply to your work. This cross-pollination of ideas can lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

By broadening your intellectual horizons, you’re more likely to stumble upon fresh perspectives that can help you overcome your creative block and potentially lead to groundbreaking insights in your research.

5. Journal Your Thoughts To Get Out of a Creative Block

Journaling is a powerful tool for overcoming creative block, especially when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed. It’s also an incredible self-love activity. Here’s why it works and how to incorporate it into your routine:

• Brain dump: Use journaling as a way to offload all your thoughts, ideas, and frustrations. This can help clear your mind and make room for new ideas.
• Problem-solving: Write about the specific challenges you’re facing in your research. Sometimes, the act of articulating a problem can lead to unexpected solutions.
• Idea generation: Use your journal for brainstorming sessions. Write down any and all ideas related to your research, no matter how wild or impractical they might seem at first.
• Reflection: Regularly reflecting on your progress, challenges, and goals can help you maintain perspective and identify patterns in your work habits.

To make journaling effective:

• Set aside dedicated time for journaling, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes a day.
• Choose a journaling method that works for you – whether it’s pen and paper, a digital app, or voice recordings.
• Don’t censor yourself. Your journal is for your eyes only, so feel free to write honestly and without judgment.
• Review your journal entries periodically. You might find valuable insights or ideas that you overlooked in the moment.

6. Embrace Micro-Productivity

When faced with a creative block, the idea of making significant progress can feel overwhelming. This is where the concept of micro-productivity comes in handy. Instead of focusing on big, daunting tasks, break your work down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Here’s how to apply this approach:

• Set tiny goals: Instead of “write a chapter,” aim for “write one paragraph” or “outline one section.”
• Use short time blocks: Work in short, focused bursts of 15-30 minutes, followed by short breaks.
• Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate each small task you complete. This builds momentum and motivation.
• Use the “two-minute rule”: If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately rather than putting it off.

For Scholarly Mamas juggling multiple responsibilities, micro-productivity can be particularly effective:

• Utilise small pockets of time: Make the most of short periods when your children are occupied or napping.
• Keep a running list of small tasks: This allows you to quickly pick up where you left off when you have a few spare minutes.
• Focus on progress, not perfection: Remember that consistent small steps forward are better than waiting for large blocks of uninterrupted time.

By embracing micro-productivity, you can maintain momentum in your research even when facing creative blocks or time constraints.

7. Establish Creativity-Boosting Routines and Rituals

Creating routines and rituals around your work can help signal to your brain that it’s time to be creative and productive. These habits can be particularly helpful in overcoming creative block by putting you in the right mindset for academic work. Here are some ideas:

• Develop a pre-work ritual: This could be as simple as making a specific type of tea, lighting a candle, or saying a prayer before you start working.
• Create a playlist: Curate a selection of music that helps you focus and gets you in the mood for creative thinking.
• Set up your workspace: Arrange your desk or work area in a way that feels inspiring and conducive to productivity.
• Use visual cues: Consider using specific colours or objects that you associate with creativity and focus.
• Incorporate movement: Start your work session with a short walk or some gentle stretches to get your blood flowing and mind alert.

The key is consistency. By repeating these routines and rituals regularly, you’re training your brain to associate them with creative, focused work. This can help you overcome initial resistance and ease into your research more smoothly, even when you’re feeling blocked.

Embracing Creativity Beyond Your PhD

While these strategies are focused on overcoming creative block in your academic work, it’s important to remember that creativity extends beyond your PhD. As a scholarly mama, you’re juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. Embracing creativity in all aspects of your life can lead to greater fulfillment and may even inspire new approaches to your research.

Consider ways to incorporate creativity into your daily life:

• Try new recipes or get creative with meal planning
• Engage in creative activities with your children
• Start a creative side project unrelated to your academic work
• Explore creative problem-solving in your everyday challenges

Remember, you are more than just a PhD student or an academic. By nurturing your creativity in various aspects of your life, you’re not only enriching your personal experiences but also developing skills and perspectives that can enhance your academic work.

Until next time, I’m sending you lots of love and gratitude,