Creative ideas aren’t a luxury – they’re essential if we want to navigate change and try new paths. But what does it actually take to get our ideas flowing again? And how can we create the kind of space where our inner current can really move?

So what is "creative"?

Creativity is hard to define – but easy to feel. It’s there when something new is created that feels meaningful, for us or for others. It could be a sentence, a solution, a crazy thought or simply a moment that feels good. And sometimes, that's already enough.

When the flow gets stuck – and how to get it moving again

I like to think of creativity as a river: it needs input, space, and as few dams as possible. But sometimes things build up – perfectionism, shame, fear of judgment, pressure.

The good news? There are ways to release it.

1. Feed the river

Our creative flow needs inspiration – new experiences, unfamiliar ideas, unexpected encounters. Stay curious, say yes more often, surround yourself with people who think differently than you. Challenge yourself to see the world through different lenses (Amabile, 2012; Schutte & Malouf, 2019).

2. Create a space for ideas to land

Creativity needs structure, too. A consistent time, a physical space, or a ritual can make all the difference. Many creative people show up to their work no matter what – and let inspiration catch up later (Godin, 2020; Kleon, 2019; Pressfield, 2022). Personally, I use my "second brain" system to support that process.

3. Remove the dam – gently

Most creative blocks are fear in disguise – fear of failure, judgment, or the unknown. But fear isn’t our enemy. It wants to protect us. When we meet it with understanding, we can take its hand instead of fighting it (Edmondson, 1999; Newman et al., 2017).

Psychological safety is key here – both internally and in groups. Only when we feel safe to take risks can real creativity emerge. The TERA model by Bungay Stanier (2016) is a helpful guide for creating that kind of trust in teams.

Don't judge too soon

Our brains love to evaluate early – but creativity needs freedom first. Uncut diamonds look like rocks. So let ideas flow before sorting them. The more ideas we generate, the more likely it is that something brilliant will emerge (Rietzschel et al., 2010; Catmull, 2014).

Sometimes, it’s the weird ones that carry the magic.

Three small practices that can help

• Morning Pages (Julia Cameron, 2002): Write three A4 pages every morning – no filter, no editing, just flow. This helps clear mental clutter and invites focus. Don't show them to anyone. You can even throw them away.
• Fear-Setting Exercise (Tim Ferris, 2011): A structured approach to naming and reframing fears. Inspired by Seneca, it invites us to define a fear, explore the benefits of taking action, and consider the cost of doing nothing.
• Choose growth over comfort (James Hollis, 2005): Happiness can be a trap – keeping us where it feels safe. But growth lies beyond that zone. The more we embrace challenge, the more fulfilling our creative lives become.

So what about the bed in the hallway?

The other day I spontaneously moved the bed into the hallway. It felt… right. My partner had a different opinion. “Creative, right?” I asked. “New? Sure. Useful? Not so much,” she replied.

Creativity includes failure. But without risk, there’s no surprise. No joy. No real discovery.

That night, lying in the hallway, we looked through a small crack in the kitchen window – and there it was: a single bright star, maybe 400 light years away. Maybe an idea, just being born.

Curious for more creative impulses?

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