The Reset: What Creatives Do When They Are Not Creating

10 Creatives on how they get past a creative block, and where they find new inspiration

As the year comes to an end, a lot of people are burnt out and running on empty. Maybe you've hit a creative block, or you're craving new inspiration before the new year begins. So we asked 10 South African creatives, from painters and fashion designers to stylists, makeup artists and photographers, two questions: what do they actually do when they hit a creative block, and where do they look for inspiration that most people don't?

Here's what they said:

1. Have more than one creative outlet

   "Honestly, I haven't had a creative block in what feels like forever. I'd attribute that to variety, to not being a specialist. I pursue multiple creative fields, so anytime I feel stagnation I just do something else. It's about staying curious, keeping busy, pursuing the joy of discovery and cultivation of the infinite potential of human imagination. Specialisation is for insects!"
   

   - Nkhensani Mkhari, Visual Artist, Photographer & Curator

2. Create from a place of play

   "When I hit a creative block, I find myself returning to my childhood and the things that made me feel wonder before I knew what creativity was. My biggest source of inspiration is often found in those little memories, childhood obsessions and imaginary worlds I once inhabited. I think there's something beautiful about creating from a place of play.”
   

   - Amo Modise, Stylist

3. Accept the block
   

   "Whenever I have a creative block, sometimes it's okay to just take a break. Sometimes it's okay to accept that you're struggling or having a creative block at that time, and just get your mind off things, because I think what you need to do is find something else to do. Do other things, watch movies, look at other work. In my discipline, when it comes to painting, it helps me to look at other paintings, look at paintings by artists that inspire me, do research, and also writing. Writing down things that I've been thinking through. Sometimes a creative block has to do with what you're going through at that time. So I think it's important to also write down what it is that you're going through and why, and maybe try and think around how your work can represent that or speak to that in some sort of way. Or maybe it doesn't. But I think it's important to also take a break from creating sometimes. Sometimes a creative block can also just be burnout. I think that you should accept a creative block as something that's natural, that happens, and don't try and necessarily fight against it. Just try and take it as a sign to take a step back and look at other things for some time."
   

   - Jakinda Boya, Visual Artist

4. Disconnect to receive

   
   

   "[When I hit a creative block], I do one of the two. I either sleep, as in sleep the whole day with my phone on flight mode, or book a flight and go home. That helps me disconnect and quiet the noise. [Where do I look for inspiration?], basically from nothingness, and I know it might not make sense for many. But for me, being alone in a quiet space, that's where I'm able to receive inspiration. Emphasis on receive."

   
   

   - Mzukisi Mbane, Fashion Designer

5. Step away from the visual arts

   
   

   "[When I hit a creative block], a mini-reset is needed. I try to avoid the visual arts as much as possible by firstly avoiding Instagram, then reading the news; day-trading crypto; going out solo; doing admin and reworking my budget; asking AI random questions about how things work; doing handyman jobs and home chores with conviction; and if there's extra cash, staying the weekend at some random dorpie."

   
   

   - Paul Shiakallis, Photographer

6. Let go of the outcome, dig through the past

   
   

   "[When I hit a creative block], I try to detach myself from any attachment I have to the outcome. I try to judge myself less and remember that creating something is not a means to an end, it's an end in itself. There is value in the process of creation. So I explore whatever makes my brain tick, even if I'm uncertain where that will lead me. [Where do I look for inspiration?] In the past. I'm digging through the past to find out what the future looks like. That also means trusting in the recessive memories that exist within me. I let them show up in unexplainable curiosity."

   
   

   - Aphiwe Gxawu, Fashion Designer

7. Revisit your older work

   
   

   "One thing I do when I hit a creative block is look back at my older looks or work. That was the most authentic time of my creativity, before it became work and so serious. Most of the time my creative juices come out more when under pressure, so I sometimes leave things for the last minute because of this. If not that, then my older work again."
   

   - Amka, Makeup Artist

8. Pay ttention to people

   
   

   "[When I hit a creative block], I pay attention to people. It's difficult to hit a block when your source is people. I try to immerse myself in experiences that are not my own. An uncommon place I find inspiration would be my 5-year-old brother. He has a very naive but limitless perspective."

   
   

   - Hlengiwe Lala, Photographer

9. Always keep a journal or sketchbook

   
   

   "Honestly, I don't really get creative blocks. I'm usually already thinking about my next idea while I'm working on the current one. I find inspiration everywhere, and I always journal or sketch to prep for future work. That's why I always end up with more ideas than I can make. I don't look for it. It's all around me all the time: places I go to, people I meet, going back home, childhood memories."
   

   - Qhamanande Maswana, Artist

   
   

10. Pour back into yourself

    
    

    “[When I hit a creative block], I take time out of the studio and pour back into myself. Reading, long walks, journaling, sketching, just to keep the conversation going even outside the studio. [Where do I look for inspiration that people don't?] Conversations I share with my loved ones. It's refreshing to get a different perspective on things. As well as the usual books and journals."

    
    

    - Katlego C.L. Twala, Visual Artist (Born & raised in Botswana)

    
    

11. Bonus: Notice what you'd usually walk past

    
    

    "[When I hit a creative block], I step back from creating, and I take in whatever is around me: from other people's work, nature, and the random, everyday things that were never want to inspire anyone. Inspiration is everywhere once you start noticing what you'd usually walk past. It lives in curiosity and exposure. The more you see, the more you have to draw from."

    
    

    - Khai, Artist & Editor-in-Chief