Creative Reset: How to Find Inspiration
As creatives, we know how important it is to stay inspired and motivated. But let’s face it—life gets busy, burnout happens, and sometimes our creative energy just… runs dry. That’s why the start of a new year is the perfect time for a Creative Reset: a chance to reflect, refresh, and set the stage for your most inspired year yet.
Whether you’re an artist, writer, designer, or simply someone who loves to create, here’s how you can reset your creative energy for the new year.
1. Reflect on the Past Year
Before you dive into new projects, take some time to look back on the past year. Ask yourself:
What creative work made you proud?
What challenges helped you grow?
What drained your energy or held you back?
Reflection is about celebrating wins, learning from setbacks, and identifying areas where you want to improve. Grab a journal, and let your thoughts flow. Reflection helps you identify lessons learned and clarify your next steps.
Here is a link to my favorit journal- the Midori MD Notebook.
2. Declutter Your Creative Space
A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Use this time to tidy up your creative environment:
Organize your tools and supplies.
Clear out old projects or materials you no longer need.
Clean up your digital workspace—delete old files, organize folders, and uninstall unused apps.
By creating a clean and inspiring space, you’ll set the tone for productive and stress-free creative sessions.
3. Reconnect with Inspiration
When was the last time you experienced art or beauty just for the joy of it? Take some time to refill your creative well. You could:
Visit a museum or gallery
Whether it’s contemporary art, historical pieces, or local exhibitions, stepping into a museum can allow you to explore diverse perspectives and art forms that you might not encounter in your usual creative space.
Explore nature
If you’re feeling stuck, taking a walk outside can help clear your mind and offer new ideas. Try to look at things differently—observe the smaller details, like the way shadows fall or the way color shifts in natural light.
Inspire your life
Read a book, watch a movie, or listen to music. It doesn’t always have to be directly related to your creative field. But another person’s creativity can help stimulate your imagination and introduce you to new concepts, themes, and ideas.
Sometimes stepping away from your own work and immersing yourself in someone else’s creativity is the perfect way to get inspired.
4. Set Goals and Intentions
The new year is the perfect time to dream big and set meaningful goals. Start by defining what you want to accomplish creatively. Some examples might include:
Launching a new project or completing an existing one.
Trying a new medium or skill.
Establishing a consistent creative routine, like sketching or journaling every day.
Turn your goals into actionable steps and consider creating a vision board to keep them top of mind throughout the year. To stay organize, I use Notion and Google apps.
5. Establish Healthy Habits
Creativity flourishes when you take care of yourself. Build habits that support your creative process:
Set aside dedicated time for creating, even if it’s just 15-30 minutes a day.
Practice mindfulness or journaling to clear your mind.
Prioritize self-care, like getting enough sleep, staying active, and eating well.
When you feel good, your ideas will flow more naturally.
Your Creative Reset Starts Now
A Creative Reset is about more than clearing your desk or setting goals—it’s about reconnecting with your passion and building a foundation for creativity that lasts all year long. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to experiment or adjust along the way. Remember, creativity is a journey, not a destination.
Here’s to a year filled with inspiration, growth, and creativity.
x Izza
