How to Stay Inspired for Your Creative Projects (Even When You Feel Stuck)

By Miranda Loftis

As an acrylic painter, I’ve come to learn that creativity isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you make space for. It’s in the rituals you build, the way you move through the world, and how you process your emotions. Over time, I’ve created a kind of ecosystem that keeps my inspiration alive—even during those inevitable dry spells where everything feels flat.

Here’s a deeper look at how I stay creatively inspired, even when the ideas aren’t flowing right away—and how you can build your own creative rhythm too.

1. Surround Yourself With What Moves You

When I need to feel inspired, I step outside of myself. Nature is my greatest teacher—the way the colors shift at sunset, how trees sway like dancers in the wind, how rivers move with ease and confidence. It always reminds me of flow and form.

But nature isn’t just plants and sky—it’s people, too. I find so much creative energy in being around community: listening to stories, watching people gather in joy, meeting other artists and hearing about their processes. There’s something about human connection that recharges my spirit.

Some of my most inspired paintings have come after attending local art shows or simply having a deep conversation over tea. These moments don’t always lead directly to a painting idea, but they shift something internally. They soften me. They open a door.

2. Live in an Artist’s Mindset

Even when I’m not painting, I’m still practicing art. I walk through the world with a quiet creative awareness—sketching invisible perspective lines in my mind, noticing how shadows bend across a sidewalk, how two colors in someone’s outfit create the perfect palette.

This is how I stay connected to my creativity in daily life. I don’t have to be in a studio to be “working.” A walk through the park, a crowded coffee shop, or even a quiet corner of my living room becomes a sketchbook for the senses.

To stay in this mindset, I nurture daily habits like yoga, reading, and meditation. Yoga helps me reconnect with my body and breath—often where stuck creative energy hides. Reading opens up new ideas and images. Meditation helps me clear mental clutter and listen more deeply to what wants to be expressed.

3. Let Your Feelings Shape Your Ideas

Some of my best ideas don’t come from trying to “think” of something clever. They come from tuning into how I feel.

I journal often—especially when I feel overwhelmed or emotionally charged. Sometimes, while writing, I’ll notice a certain sentence or emotion rise up. That feeling becomes the seed of a painting. Maybe it’s a sense of longing, or a flash of joy, or the tension between two truths I’m holding.

From there, I start to see the colors that match the feeling. I might pair a stormy indigo with a bright coral, or layer chaotic brushstrokes under soft, steady lines. The painting becomes a translation of my inner world—guided by emotion, not logic.

4. When You’re Blocked, Go Intuitive

Creative blocks happen. But they’re not a problem—they’re a signal. When I hit that wall, I often turn to meditative painting.

It starts with silence: I’ll sit for 5–10 minutes, eyes closed, breathing deep. Then I paint without a plan. No sketch. No expectations. I let my hand choose the colors, let the brush move however it wants. Sometimes it becomes a finished piece. Other times it just becomes a doorway into something new.

Other times, I step completely away from art. I go dancing with friends, play a sport, or spend time with my family. I sketch the people around me while sipping coffee or wander through galleries just to see what others are making. These moments fill my well.

Creativity isn’t always about producing. Sometimes, it’s about remembering why you wanted to create in the first place.

5. Don’t Force the Idea—Follow the Feeling

Inspiration doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it whispers. That’s why staying open and curious matters so much.

A recent piece I painted started with a simple moment: watching the late afternoon sun fall across the floor, casting long golden stripes. I felt something warm and nostalgic rise in my chest, and instead of brushing it away, I followed it. That painting turned into a quiet celebration of childhood wonder—sunlight, movement, and memory.

If I’d tried to force an idea that day, I would’ve missed it. But because I was paying attention, I caught the thread.

6. A Word to the Stuck Artist

If you’re feeling uninspired right now, please know this: it doesn’t mean you’re not creative. It just means you’re in a resting phase. Maybe you’re incubating. Maybe your art is growing underground where you can’t see it yet.

Put your hand on your heart. Breathe. Then go outside. Move your body. Talk to someone you love. Watch a movie. Dance badly in your kitchen. Sketch something messy. Scribble in your journal.

Let yourself live—and trust that your creativity will rise to meet you when it’s ready.

7. Keep Showing Up For Yourself

Inspiration is a relationship. The more you show up—gently, without pressure—the more it reveals itself. Be willing to create just for the joy of it. Paint something weird. Try something new. Listen to your intuition even when it doesn’t make “sense.”

Your art is listening. It wants to speak to you. All you have to do is stay open, stay curious, and keep moving.

Conclusion: Inspiration Lives in How You Live

Staying inspired isn’t about always having a fresh idea at your fingertips—it’s about how you move through the world, how you respond to your emotions, and how you care for your inner creative spirit. Whether you’re journaling, walking through nature, meditating, or laughing with friends, these experiences are part of your process.

Inspiration will ebb and flow, but it never truly disappears. It just asks that you keep showing up—with curiosity, with gentleness, and with an open heart.

Let your life feed your art, and your art will feed your life right back.