How to Get Out of a Creative Rut in 5 Steps

I wrote this as an Instagram caption, but liked it so much I wanted to include it on my blog, plus I should be using my blog more often, but here's my little guide on how to get out of a creative rut.

1. Start walking an excessive amount of steps a day, even if on a walking pad, to mimic window shopping the streets of Chicago (your favorite city stateside)
   

2. Lay around for a few days, staring up at the ceiling, feeling the boredom seep into your bones and wonder if you should reach out to old destructive friends

   
   

3. Acknowledge your growth and realize that this period of rest and boredom is necessary and maybe tomorrow you’ll get a new idea

   
   

4. Watch “how to improve your photography” videos on YouTube because on one hand, being a lifelong student is fun and admirable, but on the other hand, you fear everything you create is shit

   
   

5. Create. Create because ultimately once you start doing the thing, you’ll probably get a weird burst of inspiration while in the middle of it and that’ll be the catalyst for the next few weeks of inspo and creation

   
   

I put makeup on my face and only had the idea of playing with lighting in my mind… after a series of failed ideas, I realized I was having so much fun just being a student again that I didn’t even care. It didn’t even matter. And then I edited the first shot and said “damn— I am a photographer” and felt a bit of satisfaction in that I’m always going to be a bit of a jerk to myself, but it’s not the reality. I can make art and I do and this is it.

So get out there. Rot away. Consider bad choices. Don’t make them. And then get up and make something. Anything. Have fun. Love you.