Struggling with writer’s block? It’s not a lack of ideas—it’s how you’re thinking about them. Discover why creative blocks happen, how to turn them into opportunities, and practical ways to stay productive even when inspiration feels out of reach.
How long has it been since you felt truly creative? Sat down with a fresh idea that excited you? Or even just let your mind wander without the pressure to produce something? The reality is, creative blocks happen to all of us. But instead of fighting them, what if we learned to use them to our advantage?
This week, we’re diving into the real cause of writer’s block, how to reframe creative stagnation, and practical ways to stay productive even when inspiration isn’t flowing.
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📌 Art 123: This Week’s Biggest Creative News
– A curated rundown of what’s happening in the art world.
📌 Why Writer’s Block Isn’t What You Think It Is
– Rethinking creative slumps and making them work for you.
📌 Exclusive Insights from Our Writers
– The Truman Show analogies, James Bond's death, L.A. Frieze and more.
📌 How to Turn Creative Blocks into Growth
– Can downtime can fuel growth?
📌 7 Ways to Stay Creative When You’re Stuck
– Practical steps to keep moving forward.
1. Visual Arts | Yayoi Kusama's "Infinity Mirror Rooms" Tour Expands
The Tate Modern has announced an extension of Yayoi Kusama's popular "Infinity Mirror Rooms" exhibition, adding new tour dates through 2026. This immersive art experience continues to draw crowds, showcasing Kusama's iconic polka-dot patterns and mirrored environments.
Why It Matters – The exhibition's success demonstrates the enduring appeal of immersive art experiences and offers insights into creating engaging, shareable art in the social media age. Read more here.
2. Music | The Beatles’ AI-Assisted Song Sparks Grammy Debate
The Beatles' song Now and Then, restored using AI, has earned a nomination at the 67th Grammy Awards. The track, originally penned by John Lennon in 1977, was revived using machine learning to extract and enhance his original vocals. While AI helped bring a lost song back to life, the nomination has sparked discussions about the role of AI in music and its ethical implications.
Why It Matters – This milestone marks the growing influence of AI in music restoration, but also raises concerns about the potential exploitation of artists’ legacies and the balance between technological innovation and artistic authenticity. Read more here.
3. Design | Copenhagen Fashion Week Turns to Web3 for Sustainability
Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) has partnered with Spin.Fashion to incorporate Web3 technology into fashion sustainability efforts. During the event, Spin.Fashion’s showroom digitized runway looks from emerging Nordic designers, demonstrating blockchain-based supply chain traceability, digital product passports, and AR/VR interactions.
Why It Matters – As the most eco-conscious fashion week on the calendar, CPHFW continues to lead the charge in sustainability. This initiative highlights how digital fashion and blockchain technology can help drive a circular economy in the industry. Read more here.
What if writer’s block isn’t actually about a lack of ideas? What if the real problem is that you’ve just been looking at them for too long?
As we get fully settled into the new year and many of us are (sadly) already failing to meet those content expectations that we set for ourselves, we may find ourselves discouraged and stuck with writer's block.
But first—what is writer's block?
Oxford Languages describes it as
"the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing."
However, I like to think of it in John Mayer terms. He roughly states that writer's block is the inability to find satisfaction with the art that you are creating. This perspective is supported by research that highlights evaluation apprehension as a significant factor contributing to writer's block, as noted in studies at the University of Illinois Springfield.8
The problem for most artists is not that we don't have ideas. It's that:
The question that still stands is what we should do about this? That's what we are going to dive into in the next sections.
But what happens when the ideas just aren’t coming at all? That’s when it’s time to rethink what a creative block actually is.
I read something the other day that said,
"Sometimes you think you have been buried but really you have just been planted."
What if this roadblock is pointing you toward an area of your creative process that needs attention? Every artist, writer, and musician hits a wall. I know that I do. The problem isn't the wall itself—it's what we do when we reach it. The difference between those who stay stuck and those who push forward is how they use that downtime.
A study in the Creativity Research Journal agrees that different causes of blocking, such as physiological and motivational factors, can interfere with the composition process. 3,6
The solution? Perspective. Seeing blocks as opportunities rather than obstacles can transform your creative journey. Just like time is crucial when capturing ideas, perspective is essential when those ideas seem to disappear.
1️⃣ Think of Blocks as a Reset – Sometimes, blocks happen because your mind is overloaded. Instead of forcing ideas, take this as a moment to recalibrate. Journaling, meditating, or even just stepping away can bring clarity. As one could say, go touch some grass. Researchers suggest that taking a break can be an effective strategy to overcome writer's block1.
2️⃣ Identify What’s Really Stopping You – Is it perfectionism? Fear of judgment? Lack of inspiration? Pinpointing the root cause can help you overcome it. Often, the issue isn’t lack of ideas—it’s self-doubt or external pressure. A study by Boice identified perfectionism and evaluation anxiety as common causes of writer's block.2
3️⃣ Use This Time to Learn & Improve – When inspiration isn’t striking, shift gears. Read about industry trends, study successful artists, or take an online class. As a pianist, I know that in my moments of un-creativity, spending time learning other pieces usually sparks that fire up again for me. Go watch some films, read more books, take a walk in a different neighborhood than usual.
The Art NewsletterOliver Stevens
The Art NewsletterOliver Stevens
The Art NewsletterAudrey Hydorn
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Writer's block isn't a dead end—it's a detour. What you do during this time can set you up for success when the ideas start flowing again.
But first—what can you actually do while waiting for inspiration to return? Unfortunately, Oxford Languages doesn't have a prescription for that, but I like to think of it as building creative infrastructure. The roads might be closed, but you can still improve the vehicles.
The problem for most artists isn't finding things to do—it's finding meaningful activities that advance their craft even when direct creation isn't happening. We are creatures of habit and we tend to either force creativity (which rarely works) or abandon it entirely when blocked. If you sit in frustration too long, you miss the hidden opportunities that creative blocks present. To aid you in your down moments, we have made a list of...
1️⃣ Organize Your Portfolio – Take stock of your best work, refine your online presence, and update your portfolio, LinkedIn, or website. (Sneak peek of next week's topic!) The next opportunity could be just around the corner, and a well-presented portfolio makes sure you’re ready.
2️⃣ Engage with Your Creative Community – Creativity isn’t a solo sport. Reach out to peers, network on social media, and contribute to discussions. Not only does this keep you inspired, but it also builds connections that could lead to new opportunities. A study at Nature agrees that collaboration and feedback from peers can help overcome writer's block.1
3️⃣ Revisit Old Work – Sometimes the answer isn’t new, but old. Dig into past projects—unfinished drafts, abandoned sketches, old journal entries. There might be something worth revisiting or remixing into something fresh.
4️⃣ Sharpen Your Skills – If the ideas aren’t coming, use this time to refine your craft. Take an online course, learn a new tool, practice fundamentals, or focus on your schoolwork. Growth happens in the in-between moments.
5️⃣ Create Without Pressure – Remove the expectation that every idea needs to be ‘good.’ Make something just for fun, whether it’s a sketch, a blog post, or a short improvisation. Pressure kills creativity—freedom brings it back. The American Psychological Association notes that the creative process involves stages where freedom from pressure can facilitate creativity.4
6️⃣ Set Up a System for the Future You – Can’t create right now? No worries. Use this time to systematize your creative process. Schedule content, brainstorm prompts for later, and set up a workflow that makes it easier to create when inspiration returns.
7️⃣ Call Someone You Love – This is just good life advice in general, but give someone you haven’t spoken to in a while a call. They will appreciate it, and that bonding time can be great when you have been hidden away working on a project for a long time.
Even when you feel stuck, creativity isn’t something that runs out—it just needs a new direction. Sometimes, stepping away from your work, trying something different, or letting ideas rest is exactly what your creativity needs to grow.
“Writer’s block isn’t a dead end—it’s a detour. What you do during this time can set you up for success when the ideas start flowing again.”
What’s your go-to strategy for breaking creative blocks? Reply and share—we might feature your response in next week’s issue!"
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