The Creativity Comeback: How to Refresh Your Mind and Fuel Your Success

Our guest writer for this article is Derek Cannon. Derek loves rockhounding and writing about his experiences on Hobby Jr. He hopes to encourage young people to find a hobby they love.

Creativity isn’t just a tool for artists, musicians, or writers—it’s the secret ingredient behind problem-solving, innovation, and fresh perspectives in both life and work. But let’s be real: creative ruts happen. You wake up, sit down to tackle a project, and nothing. The ideas feel stale, the excitement is gone, and suddenly, scrolling on your phone seems way more appealing. The good news? Creativity isn’t a finite resource. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or just someone looking for a spark, here’s how to shake things up and get that imagination firing again.

Step Away to See Clearly

The paradox of creativity is that the harder you chase it, the more elusive it becomes. You stare at the screen, willing brilliance to strike, but all you get is frustration. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away. Walk around the block. Browse a bookstore with no agenda. Cook something from scratch. When your brain has space to wander, connections start forming on their own. Suddenly, that thing you’ve been struggling with feels just a little clearer, as if the answer was there all along—you just needed to stop looking so hard.

Pursue a New Job

Finding a more creatively fulfilling job starts with crafting a resume that truly showcases your skills and potential. When exploring what a resume is, think of it as more than just a list of past jobs—it’s a strategic tool to highlight your creativity and adaptability. You should tailor your resume to each position you're applying for, adjusting the keywords in the skills section to align with what each employer is looking for. Carefully consider what you emphasize in your professional history and educational experiences, ensuring they reflect the most relevant and compelling aspects of your background.

Revisit the Joy of Play

When was the last time you did something purely for fun? Not to be productive. Not to learn a new skill. Just for the sheer joy of it. Children do this instinctively—they draw, build, and imagine without self-consciousness. Somewhere along the way, adulthood strips that from us, making everything about output and efficiency. But creativity thrives on play. Try doodling with no plan, dancing in your living room, or playing an instrument terribly. The goal isn’t mastery; it’s to remind yourself that creating can be light, easy, and, most importantly, fun.

Prepare for a New Career

Reinvigorating your creativity can sometimes mean making a bold career change, and education can be the bridge to new opportunities. Earning a degree through an online program makes it easy to work full-time while developing new skills that align with your passions. For example, pursuing an information technology degree allows you to build expertise in cybersecurity, data management, and other high-demand fields, opening doors to innovative and dynamic career paths. With the flexibility of online learning, you can gain career-relevant knowledge while maintaining your current responsibilities.

Shake Up Your Routine

Routine is both a blessing and a curse. It keeps you structured, but it can also lock you into autopilot, numbing your sense of curiosity. A small shift—taking a different route to work, listening to a new genre of music, or even writing with a different pen—can be enough to jolt your brain into seeing things differently. Change disrupts predictability, and that’s where fresh ideas start. Creativity feeds off novelty, and sometimes, all you need is to make the smallest tweak to your day to remind yourself that the world is much bigger than your usual patterns.

Rest Like It’s Your Job

Exhaustion is the enemy of creativity. When you’re burnt out, your brain shifts into survival mode, prioritizing efficiency over imagination. That’s why your best ideas don’t come when you’re overworked—they come in the shower, on vacation, or right before you fall asleep. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s fuel. Prioritize sleep, take real breaks, and let yourself unplug. A well-rested mind is a creative mind, and often, the best way to reignite your spark is simply to stop running on empty.

Creativity isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s something you cultivate. When you’re stuck in a rut, it’s not a sign that you’ve lost your touch; it’s a signal that you need to shake things up. Step away. Play more. Give yourself permission to create badly. And most importantly, rest when you need to. The more you nurture your creative side, the more it will show up for you—not just in your work, but in the way you see the world. Creativity is always there, waiting. You just have to meet it halfway.