5 ways to get out of a creative rut

We’ve all been there, you’re under pressure to come up with your next genius creative campaign and...nothing. If your mind is going blank and none of your creative ideas seem good enough, don’t worry, we have some knowledge on how to get out of a creative rut, so we’re sharing our tips for a great creative brainstorm.

1. Change your surroundings to change your thoughts
   Switching up your surroundings is one of the best ways to stimulate creativity, and it can be so simple. If you’re working from home, try your local coffee shop or nearest coworking space. If you’re trying to work in the office but the lightbulb moment isn’t happening, try booking a meeting room, or working from an outside space. Working in a new environment, if only for a few hours, can stimulate your brain into new ways of thinking, so it’s always worth a shot.
   
2. Soak up some culture to get creative inspiration
   When the clock is ticking, a trip to your local museum, gallery or cinema might not seem so productive, but it can spark all kinds of ideas. Even if you’re not an artist, visit your local art gallery (AHQ Mann Island is just next door to Open Eye Gallery and Tate Liverpool), or even if you’re not in film, going to watch something at the cinema can often inspire your next great idea. Make notes on colour palettes, soundtracks, costumes, whatever it is that catches your eye.
   
3. Get together with others to get new ideas
   You know what they say, two minds work better than one. If you’re struggling with a creative rut and need to get out of it, get together with like minded creatives, whether that’s your own colleagues or you’re reaching out to fellow freelancers. You can hire a meeting room near you and get the creative juices flowing just by sharing ideas and giving each other feedback.
   
4. Make small changes on your starting point
   One of our personal favourite ways to build on an idea, is by changing tiny details one at a time. If you have an idea for a project, but think it stinks, just change one teeny, tiny detail. This could be a colour, a word, the positioning of a title - anything! Then take another look. What’s next? Maybe swap that word for another, or try a different sound. The more changes you make, the closer you’ll be to your end goal.
   
   
5. Do creative exercises to think more creatively
   There are loads of quick and easy creative exercises you can do to get out of a creative rut, and they only have to take up a few minutes of your time. You could fill a page with doodles, you could sketch as many ideas as possible in 5 minutes, or list as many ideas as you can in 60 seconds. You’ll be amazed at what you come up with in a short space of time, and it could be your next big thing!

There’s hundreds of ways to get out of a creative rut, but make a start with these 5 top tips for getting the creative juices flowing. And if you’re looking for a new environment, see our flex desk memberships or private offices, which you can personalise to be your very own creative HQ.