Here are 5 tips that will keep your imposter syndrome at bay
And will help you bounce your creativity back.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve scrolled through my LinkedIn and Instagram feeds and spotted so many talented and inspiring designers out there. I read their stories, viewed their work, and instantly started pushing myself into an abyss where I was no longer sure if I’d made the right career choices or if I should have transitioned from my everlasting dedication to UX/UI design to a completely different field.
Imposter syndrome can really hold your creativity back and impede your progress. What can you do to bounce your creativity back when you experience a creative block? I’ve combined a list of tips that will help you overcome your next creative block. At the end of this article, you will also find a word puzzle I’ve created to spark some inspiration in your life.
1. Try a digital detox
Keeping social media at bay can be tough in the beginning, but if they’re the part of your daily life hampering your progress, you should consider stepping away from feed-scrolling for some time. Once you try a digital detox, you will see that the amount of spare time you gain will force you to find alternative hobbies. And who knows, maybe your new hobby will become your main source of inspiration or even income in the future?
2. Find a new hobby, distract yourself
We all need to unwind sometimes, and over-focusing on your daily tasks will not make you productive in the long run. In the past, I thought I had to work hard to become successful, and that belief and constant pressure that I was putting on myself was gradually making me anxious and started causing various health problems, such as reduced immunity and hormonal imbalance. These days, I spend my break time relaxing and focusing on things that I love doing, such as mixing music. After I come back to my daily tasks, I always have tons of fresh ideas and often don’t even know where to start.
In other words, if you’ve ever dreamed of becoming fluent in Japanese, playing the guitar, or learning how to cook the most delicious ramen in the world, you should start mastering these skills now if you’re in a non-creative loop. Stop thinking of your hobby as a distraction and don’t be afraid to invest in your personal growth — it really pays off!
3. Visit a local bookstore and start reading a new book
Books attract zillions of new ideas and have the power to reawaken your imagination. When you’re reading, you may be curious about what happens in the next chapter or what if the story ended differently. On the flip side, maybe that new book will teach you something new about yourself or will help you discover a problem that you’d like to solve in your professional life. Books are magic — trust me on this one.
4. Take some time off and travel
Traveling to new places is probably the best method for finding fresh inspiration because it allows you to not only escape your comfort zone but also see how other people prosper in a different area. On the other hand, being a tourist will provide you with a chance to discover new challenges, such as purchasing train tickets without knowledge of the local language or ordering food online as a non-resident. On top of that, you may also notice that numerous products are missing back home, which can also inspire you to introduce them in your region.
5. Look after your body
If you’re stressed, it’s not just your mind that suffers — your body can revolt in time too. That’s why you should never skip looking after your physical health. How about joining a yoga class or a gym nearby? If you’ve wanted to change your hairstyle for a long time, get a relaxing massage, or quit sugar, maybe it’s the right time to do these things now? When we work, we tend to ignore the world around us and miss the initial signals that our body sends to tell us to slow down. However, if you take good care of your health, your body will thank you.
Inspiration is everywhere
Forcing yourself to stay creative is arduous and unproductive. Sometimes, walking away from a task can be more beneficial than contemplating where to begin. Begin with finding a new hobby, discover a new book, or take a trip to an unfamiliar place and see how many fresh ideas you will gain from these innocent distractions over time. After all, you’ve probably noticed that you can’t force creativity. However, inspiration is everywhere, and attracting novel ideas can be easier than you think. Just start with tip no. 1!
You can also try the word puzzle I’ve created and attached below. Go ahead and have some fun! What will be your word of the day? 😊
