How to Overcome Creative Blocks
Image by Food Photographer Jennifer Pallian @foodess on Unsplash
At some point in our businesses, careers, or creative practice, we reach a stand-still, where our ideas run out and we feel uninspired.
This usually happens due to:
Fear
Overworking aka burn-out, or working on the wrong thing
Perfectionism
Comparison
Our creativity can become blocked for any number of reasons, especially in our technology and logic-driven society. Contrary to popular belief, creativity is something we need to intentionally set aside time for, so creating white space in your schedule is a great to naturally receive the creative download.
Another way it gets blocked is by ignoring our inner child. When we were children we were carefree and naturally creative, then we become adults and we believe that life is all about responsibilities. When we connect with our inner child, we let go of fear and judgment of ourselves and we just let ourselves create.
While all types of medical grade essential oils like doTERRA support creativity, there's a few that are especially supportive of removing blocks to creativity and inspiring us to connect with spirit or the universal source of creativity.
For example, after recommending the Passion Inspiring blend, one of my dear clients wrote her book this past year and illustrated the cover herself. This really made me realize the power of oils for creativity.
Our sense of smell is our most primal and powerful of all our senses. It's directly connected to our limbic system, also known as the seat of our emotions. These plant medicine can evoke healing and uplifting emotions. This gives essential oils the ability to shift our mood and mindset, within minutes.
Here are some of the best ways to unblock your creativity when you feel stuck:
Take a walk in your neighborhood or in nature, with no music or podcast. This will help ground you and get you connected to your subconscious again. Nature is always inspiring
Take a break. Sometimes if nothing is flowing, it means it's time for a break in doing something fun. I like to go to the movies, a museum or check out a new café or restaurant in town. I always feel inspired after!
Exercise. Whether that's a quick jog, Pilates or yoga class, getting your body moving gets your ideas out of stagnation too. I've taken up yoga and Pilates a few times a week, and it's made a big impact on not only my health but my creativity in my business
Try a form of self-care, like floating, massage or infrared sauna. I always get my best ideas/downloads from being in this type of relaxed state and by releasing all tension, somehow it releases my inhibitions too. A hot soak at home with your oils and Epsom salts works too!
Journaling. Stream of conscious of writing in the morning will help you get over perfectionist tendencies by getting past judging yourself for your work. I've adopted this morning pages routine from the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and it's helped my mood and creativity in writing so much
Change your scenery. Check out a new place to work from, in your home or in a library, to keep things fresh
Use these essential oils below to stimulate inspiration and clear common blocks to creativity
Travel. I always get so much creative inspiration from traveling, whether that's somewhere close in a neighboring state or town, or abroad. One way I do this is house-sitting with Trusted House Sitters, use my link for 25% off your membership
Essential Oils for Creativity
Clary Sage: The Oil of Clarity & Vision
Apply 1-2 drops on forehead or behind ears, or diffuse when you need to clear your creative blocks, it eliminates distractions from your mind and creates an open space for creativity to flow
Citrus Bliss Invigorating Blend: The Oil of Creativity
I use this oil in most of my workshops! Apply 1-3 drops on wrists or over solar plexus, or diffuse. This oil inspires creative expression by connecting us with our inner child, living spontaneously and making time for play and excitement. It helps you let go of insecurities allowing you to put yourself out there artistically
Tangerine: The Oil of Cheer & Creativity
I love to add a few drops of Tangerine to my water in the morning before working. It helps us make room for our creative side, by connecting with our creative energy in our spirit. Tangerine shows us how to re-experience the joy and cheer we experienced as a child, when we were our most creative selves. Diffuse or apply 1-2 drops on wrists or over heart.
Passion Inspiring Blend: The Oil of Finding Your Passion
This is a warm and spicy blend of Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Sandalwood, Damiana, Jasmine, and Vanilla absolute from the Emotional Aromatherapy line. If you're feeling duty-bound and serious, this oil will help you by feeling restricted and show you that there's more to living than work and obligation. It also helps overcome fear, which blocks confidence in our creativity. Diffuse or apply over wrists, and sacral chakra.
Cypress: The Oil of Motion & Flow
Cypress helps us let go of worries and control to surrender. It creates energetic flow and releases stagnant energies. If you experience perfectionist tendencies and are over-striving, this oil will show you how you don't need to live in this fear-based way. You can let things unfold naturally. Apply 1-3 drops on bottom of feet or diffuse.
Wild Orange: The Oil of Abundance
This oil teaches us to let go of scarcity mindsets, which involve workaholism, fear, nervousness, and lack of humor. It inspires new solutions for issues and shows us how relaxing, creating, and playing are the gifts of life. Abundance leads to creativity, showing us this plenty of inspiration to go around. Apply 1-3 drops over sacral chakra or diffuse.
