Feeling Unmotivated and Uninspired...

10 Creative Unblockers: My Personal Strategies to Reignite Inspiration and Motivation when I am overwhelmed and stuck

Hello friends,

Happy February!

I have wanted to write this newsletter since Monday morning when I was scheduled to, yet it is Friday at noon as I am finally sitting down at my desk to write these words.

I’ve even known what I would write about for a couple of days now, yet the lack of motivation has been real, which seems ironic, yet fitting for the theme.

I am heading back to Europe in a few days, and I have a long list of to-dos and a list of want-tos, and yet I have found myself freezing and accomplishing less than I hoped to in a day.

I guess it’s the blessing and the course of those of us who are self-employed creatives.

When I feel stuck and blocked, sometimes, it takes me a moment to remember that I have the tools to pull myself out of the rut.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you that all I had to do to feel better and get back to creativity mode was get on my mat, do a few Sun Salutations, and then chant the Ganesha Mantra 108 times.

It isn’t just one meditation or yoga session that magically gets me out of the slump and motivates me to write and create again.

For me, staying connected to my creativity requires a bit more than that; it’s a multilayered process of grabbing all the pieces and reorganizing them in a way that feels balanced again; not for eternity, but for now.

Of course, yoga, meditation, and breathwork are a big part of redefining my creative process, but what I am trying to say is that it is the small things that I choose to do or not do, that ultimately will lead me back to inspiration and creativity.

That’s when I can feel aligned with whatever project I am working on again.

So here are 10 things that help me get motivated and inspired again:

1# Breathe & Meditate

One of the quickest things you can try when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stuck is a pranayama exercise or a meditation to help you reconnect to your creative energy.

Try this guided visualization meditation designed to help you tap into your creativity in only 10 minutes.

2# Read

Reading is my favorite way to get out of my head, especially if I can get sucked into a good fiction book that can completely take me out of my reality, and lets me immerse myself in a story other than my own for a bit.

Here are my latest recommendations for books to dive into!

• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Fiction)

• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (Fiction)

• How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen (Non-fiction)

• How We Heal by Alex Elle (Non-Fiction)

What are you currently reading, or what have you read recently that inspired you?

3# Cook

Whether you consider yourself a chef, or just a regular person who does the bare minimum in the kitchen to feed and nurture themselves, cooking is a great therapeutic tool to reconnect to creativity and a sense of flow.

I do love to cook, but I’ve never been great at baking.

This week though, I have made several tasty treats that not only delighted my partner and friends but also helped me be present and feel connected to something that I was creating with my own hands, and that nurtured me.

Here are my three favorite recipes I’ve made in the last few days!

• Chocolate Orange Loaf

• Cauliflower Fritters

• Brazilian Carrot Cake

If you make any of them, let me know how they turn out!

4# Create

Channel your energy into creating something tangible, be it through drawing, painting, writing, or crafting.

For me, playing my ukulele is the best way to do this, since it requires a different set of skills than I use when writing, yet it keeps me flowing and inspired.

Creative expression is a powerful way to reconnect with your inner self and find motivation.

5# Play

Incorporate play into your routine, whether it’s through video games, puzzles, or board games.

Playfulness stimulates creativity, relieves stress, and improves problem-solving skills.

I like to play The Sims 4 if I am alone or play a game of Jenga or Domino with my partner until I feel ready to return to work.

6# Listen

You knew this list wouldn’t be complete without bringing music and sound up.

Audio experiences can soothe, inspire, or energize you. Whether you’re into music, podcasts, or audiobooks, listening can shift your mood and spark new ideas.

Here is the February playlist, fresh off the press!

7# Observe

Spend time in nature, observing its patterns, beauty, and rhythm.

Nature is a great teacher of mindfulness and creativity, offering endless inspiration and a break from the digital world.

I love to go on a walk in my backyard and just sit with the trees, and the flowers…

8# Connect

Send a text or a GIF, or if you feel so bold to do so, just call up a friend; one that you know may have some space to give you support and perhaps encourage you.

Building connections with friends and loved ones can provide new perspectives, support, and inspiration.

Social interactions are vital for mental health and can reignite your motivation through collaboration and empathy, especially when it feels hard to do so.

9# Reflect

You knew it was coming…

Journal!

Journaling about your experiences, goals, and the progress you’ve made helps to consolidate learning, appreciate your journey, and plan your next steps with clarity and purpose.

But you could also choose to journal about nothing at all…

Lately, my morning pages are full of nonsensical ramblings about how much I want to do the thing and yet I feel stuck.

Either way, putting what’s on your mind into words can be a great way to let some of it go, and make space for creativity to blossom again.

10# Move

Physical activity, especially aerobic exercises like walking, running, or dancing, stimulates brain plasticity.

Improved neuroplasticity enhances cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving, which are crucial for creative thinking and overcoming mental blocks.

Paid subscribers, check out a free yoga class for you at the end of this newsletter!

Spend the Day with Me

If you’ve also been feeling a bit stuck and uninspired, or simply stressed out, I invite you to spend the day with me…

Come along and watch me try to navigate the day and accomplish a few things, on one of these days where inspiration doesn’t seem to be on my side!

I will share a few of the tips I use to keep myself moving and creating, even when I really don’t feel like it.

And for my paid subscribers, here is a yoga class I recorded today, especially good for those days when you know moving would be good for you, yet you don’t really want to.