How to Stay Creative When You’re Feeling Totally Uninspired (Yes, We’ve Been There Too)
Let’s be real for a moment. There’s a version of creativity we see online that looks like constant flow—paintbrushes moving, notebooks full, fonts being created at midnight with a gentle lo-fi soundtrack and fairy lights in the background.
But most of the time? Creativity doesn’t look like that. Sometimes it looks like staring at the screen for twenty minutes, moving one shape half a centimetre to the left, then closing the tab and making toast.
And that’s okay.
At Cosy Fox, we’ve had those days too. The “I am a designer/writer/creative person and yet I am doing absolutely nothing of creative value today” days. The important thing to remember? Creativity isn’t linear. It’s seasonal. It ebbs, it flows, and sometimes it takes a little nap.
So here’s a cosy little guide to help you stay creative, gently, even when you’re feeling completely uninspired.
✨ 1. Step Away From the Blank Page
Sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? But when your brain’s going in circles, more effort often makes things worse. Give yourself permission to walk away.
Instead, try:
Going for a stroll (bonus points for noticing little things like textures, birdsong, or mossy walls).
Listening to music you haven’t heard in a while. (We’re partial to dramatic film scores when we need a mood reset.)
Making something just for you. A bad drawing. A messy collage. A wobbly lino print. Something fun and low-stakes.
Creativity is sneaky. It likes to sneak back in the moment you stop chasing it.
✨ 2. Revisit Old Work With Kindness
We do this a lot at Cosy Fox. We’ll crack open an old file or dust off a project we forgot we even started, and suddenly the spark is there again.
Why this works:
You’re not starting from scratch (and blank pages are scary).
You can see how far you’ve come, which is deeply motivating.
Sometimes the missing idea you were searching for a year ago suddenly clicks now.
Not every old idea needs to be revived, but there might be gold tucked away in your creative attic.
✨ 3. Try Something Tiny
When your brain is tired, big creative tasks feel enormous. So shrink the goal.
Here are some small things you can try:
Design a single Instagram story template.
Write a haiku about your current mood (or your dog).
Make a colour palette inspired by the last thing you bought.
Letter your name in three different fonts.
Doodle your to-do list instead of writing it.
These are playful, low-pressure, and weirdly effective. Plus, they keep your creative muscles moving without the need for a massive burst of inspiration.
✨ 4. Borrow a Muse (Or a Moodboard)
Sometimes the best way to spark your own creativity is to soak in someone else’s.
Browse through a designer’s portfolio you admire.
Start a new Pinterest board with no rules—just vibes.
Look at book covers, album art, or packaging from a completely different industry to yours.
Read a short story. Watch a short film. Go down a rabbit hole for an hour.
Don’t feel bad about needing input before output. That’s how most of us work.
We’ve got a few Cosy Fox moodboards floating around that might help—take a peek:
✨ 5. Create Your Own “Creative First Aid Kit”
This is something we’ve done for ourselves and it’s been surprisingly helpful.
A Creative First Aid Kit is a little collection of things that gently nudge your creative brain when it’s snoozing.
Ours includes:
A playlist of instrumental music that makes us feel like a mysterious forest witch.
Photos of beautiful fonts we love.
Screenshots of kind client feedback (a.k.a. the “maybe I don’t suck?” file).
A folder of personal projects we never finished—but still like.
A few art books and picture-heavy magazines for lazy flipping.
When we’re stuck, we dip into this little kit. Not because it magically fixes everything, but because it reminds us: You’ve made cool things before. You’ll make cool things again.
Final Thoughts: You’re Still a Creative, Even on the Quiet Days
We want to leave you with this:
Uninspired does not mean untalented.
Paused does not mean unworthy.
Resting is not the same as giving up.
If you’re in a lull, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It just means you’re human. Give yourself softness. Step back when you need to. Let the well refill.
And remember, when you’re ready to come back, the ideas will be there. Waiting. Curious. Stretching their little creative paws.
We’re rooting for you. Always. Now go make a cuppa, have a biscuit, and trust that your spark isn’t gone—it’s just brewing something beautiful behind the scenes.
