Creative frustration is real. It sneaks in, makes everything feel pointless, and turns your once-exciting ideas into a chore. I’ve been there. Lately, I’ve struggled to start my daily art practice, but I’ve found a few ways to push through.

First, I use the morning to decide what I’m excited about. Before the day gets messy, I take a moment to think about what I’ll be working on later. The key is building enthusiasm early, planting the seed so it grows throughout the day. If I start the morning feeling energized about an idea, it stays with me. By the time my art session rolls around, I’m ready to dive in. If I don’t set that intention early, the spark fades, and resistance wins.

Second, I change the scenery. Staring at the same four walls won’t spark new ideas. I get outside. I go to a museum. I try a new medium. Inspiration rarely shows up when you’re waiting for it. It needs a nudge.

And the biggest one? Avoid the internet. Scrolling is a black hole. It’s not just a time suck; it’s a soul suck. Social media is built to fuel outrage, and nothing kills creativity faster than that. So I microdose the news when I need to, then I step away. Instead, I feed my brain with books, nature, café people-watching, or real conversations. That’s where the good stuff lives.