5 Ways to Recharge Your Creativity

We've all been there - you're on a roll, the creative juices are flowing, and then out of nowhere you hit a wall. It can happen at any moment, sometimes even before you get started. So what can you do to generate new ideas and get the momentum going again? Here are just a few things I do to get the gears moving again; give them a try, you'll be surprised how well they work!

Read

I'm really into suspense novels, and I've found that they really help with my creativity. Reading in general has been proven to improve creativity and it's a great way to creatively exercise your brain in another way. So step away from the computer or piano, pick up a book and read for just a few minutes or longer if you can!

Go For A Walk

Meditate

This is one of my favorite ways to take a quick break. As a nature-loving native of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I can't find a better way to recharge than to get some fresh air and inspiration outside. The samples sound incredible and the visuals are super HD.

Sometimes you don't have time to step away long enough to go for a walk or even to read a chapter, but you can still take a minute to recharge with some quick meditation. You don't have to believe in spiritual energy like qi or enter a trance or practice eastern religions to meditate, all you have to do to benefit from it is to relax and breathe. Lay down or sit, close your eyes (or don't) and take a few deep breaths, then just sit in silence for a few minutes. You'll be surprised how well you'll feel after just a few minutes.

Hit The Gym

If you have the time, fitting some exercise into your day is good for your body and your mind. Musicians, especially composers, are notorious for not being in the best shape. This comes from hours of sitting in front of a computer or practicing, eating whatever you can get your hands on and working or playing (still working) all hours of the night. So try putting down that Pop Tart and Mountain Dew and hitting the gym for a bit.

Play A New Instrument

This one's actually a lot of fun. It can be easy to get stuck into your typical way of playing and composing when you do it for hours every day, so if you have an instrument laying around that you haven't played for a while, try picking it up and having some fun - this can give you some ideas that you wouldn't have come to on the other instrument. Even better is if you can get an instrument that you've never played before! By the way, that picture above is a kalimba, go buy one!

What do you do when you get stuck? Tell me your tips and tricks in the comments below!

Related Posts

• 5 Decisions Every Film Composer Must Make

• The 9 Best Subreddits for Film Composers