Do Something Mindless!

Have you ever been stuck in a creative block or rut?
No matter what you did, you couldn’t break through?

You’ve tried everything…
You’ve brainstormed, focused, asked for help, tried thinking outside of the box, pumped music, embraced silence, etc.…

You can’t get out of your head no matter what you try.

This probably sounds quite familiar, because I am sure we have all been there at one point or another. There are few things as frustrating as a creative block – especially if you are on some sort of deadline.

The next time you are struggling creatively, try this technique instead:
Do something mindless

That’s it!

Just pick an unrelated mindless chore and work on that instead.

According to a study courtesy of the University of California, embracing mindless chores gives your brain the freedom to think creatively.

When your brain is wrapped up in mindless activities like dusting or washing dishes, it allows the creative part of your mind the freedom to ponder on its own.

Don’t feel limited to just cleaning though. Any menial, mindless task that keeps your muscle memory engaged will accomplish the same thing.

You could try going for a walk, brushing your pet, organizing your junk drawer or even something as simple as taking a shower.

How many times have you come up with your “next big idea” while you were lathering up your hair? There is a whole subreddit and a Twitter hashtag dedicated to “shower thoughts” after all. It isn’t something special about the shower itself either – it’s the mindless activity allowing your brain to think creatively.

Remember, the key here is to ensure that your muscle memory is engaged with a task you don’t have to think about too hard. That way, the creative part of your mind has the freedom to do its own thing. You don’t want to break out a 1000 piece puzzle to put together.

The next time you are struggling coming up with a blog post idea, a catchy headline, a social media graphic or anything else creative – stop what you are doing and engage in a mindless task.

Tidy the clutter in your office.
Take the dog for a walk.
Do those dishes that are in the sink.

There is a good chance that before you are even finished those tasks – you will get a lightbulb moment that helps you get over your creative struggles.

It might not sound like much, but embracing mindless activity will help boost your creativity!

Hey, did you know that by becoming a paying customer, you get a beautiful coloring book every month? Perfect to free up your creativity!