When Inspiration Doesn’t Show Up
How to Keep Creating When You Don’t Feel Like It
I’ll admit it: sometimes, I struggle to come up with things to write or talk about. As much as I love sharing ideas and experiences, there are days when I just don’t feel inspired. The well runs dry, and I’m left staring at a blank page, wondering how long it’ll take before something, anything, starts to flow.
The funny thing is, I know I’m not alone in this. Every creative person—whether it’s writers, artists, musicians, or entrepreneurs—hits this wall at some point. And while it’s tempting to wait for inspiration to strike, Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act reminds me that inspiration isn’t some magical force that appears out of thin air. It’s something you can help along. There are steps you can take to get back on track, even when you’re not feeling it.
Clearing Space for Creativity
One of the first things Rubin emphasizes is the importance of creating mental and physical space for inspiration. It’s tough for new ideas to show up when your brain is filled with stress, distractions, or an endless list of tasks. When the mind is cluttered, creativity doesn’t have room to breathe.
For me, this hits home. There are times when I’m so caught up in the whirlwind of daily responsibilities—emails, meetings, managing tasks—that I forget to make space for new ideas to flow in. Rubin suggests something simple: step away. It could be going for a walk, meditating for a few minutes, or even just sitting quietly. These small acts can clear out the mental noise and make room for something fresh.
It’s funny how often the best ideas come when I’m doing something entirely unrelated to work. Whether I’m out walking the dog or driving without a destination in mind, that’s when inspiration seems to sneak up on me. Sometimes, the simple act of disconnecting from the grind can open up a world of new possibilities.
Showing Up Even When You Don’t Feel It
Rubin has another great point: waiting for inspiration to strike is not how a creative life is built. Creativity doesn’t just show up like a bolt of lightning. More often than not, it’s a byproduct of showing up, day after day, and doing the work—even when you’re not feeling particularly creative.
This idea really resonates with me. Some of my best ideas have come not when I was bursting with energy and inspiration, but in those low-energy moments when I felt like I had nothing left to offer. The key, Rubin says, is to keep going. Even when the tank feels empty, even when the words don’t seem to come—showing up is half the battle.
In fact, sometimes it’s the act of pushing through those uninspired moments that leads to breakthroughs. By simply putting in the effort, even when it’s hard, you create opportunities for creativity to show up. It might not happen right away, but the act of doing primes your mind to eventually catch that spark.
Change Your Inputs, Change Your Output
One of the more interesting tips Rubin offers for finding inspiration is to change your inputs. When we’re stuck in a rut, it’s often because we’re feeding our brains the same things over and over. Rubin suggests shaking things up. Watch a movie with the sound off, read a book in an unconventional way (like only reading the first word of every sentence), or listen to music from a genre you wouldn’t normally explore.
This idea of changing inputs speaks to the importance of getting out of your usual patterns. When we surround ourselves with the same environment, the same conversations, and the same media, it’s no wonder we sometimes get stuck. Creativity thrives on novelty, on seeing the world from a different angle.
For me, this might mean going to a place I’ve never been, reading something outside my usual scope, or even trying to work in a different space. These small shifts can make a huge difference in how I see things. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to unlock new ideas.
The Power of the “Seed Phase”
Rubin talks about what he calls the seed phase of creativity. This is the early stage of a project when you’re just gathering ideas—collecting seeds, so to speak. The key here is to gather without judgment. Don’t worry about whether it’s good or bad, useful or not. Just take in everything that grabs your attention.
This is one of those pieces of advice that I’ve learned to appreciate over time. I used to get stuck trying to find the perfect idea right away, but Rubin’s approach reminds me that creativity doesn’t work like that. It’s a process, and the early stages are about exploration, not perfection. Sometimes, the best ideas come from things that seemed insignificant at first.
I’ve learned that the seed phase is about letting go of expectations. It’s about opening yourself up to all possibilities, collecting what interests you, and letting time and attention do the work of sorting through it all. Some ideas will take root and grow; others won’t, and that’s okay.
Lower the Stakes
Another key insight from Rubin is to lower the stakes. When we put too much pressure on ourselves to create something monumental, it can be paralyzing. Rubin suggests approaching creativity as a series of small experiments rather than as high-stakes, all-or-nothing ventures.
This perspective is liberating. If we look at each piece of work as a step in a larger journey rather than a finished masterpiece, the pressure eases. Every project doesn’t have to be a home run. It’s about progress, not perfection.
I’ve found that this mindset allows me to move forward with more freedom. When I’m not worried about whether what I’m creating is “good enough,” I’m more open to exploration and discovery. Sometimes, the best work comes from letting go of the need for it to be perfect and just letting it be.
Keep the Creative Habit Alive
At the end of the day, what Rubin’s book really drives home for me is that inspiration is a practice. It’s not always a lightning bolt out of the blue. More often, it’s a slow burn that comes from consistently showing up, creating space for new ideas, and feeding your mind with new inputs.
There will always be days when the ideas don’t flow as easily, but Rubin reminds me that those are the days when it’s most important to keep going. Creativity isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment. It’s about being present, day in and day out, and trusting that the process will eventually lead you to something meaningful.
So, the next time I’m staring at that blank page, instead of getting frustrated, I’ll remind myself that the well isn’t dry. It just needs a little help to get flowing again.