Creativity in the Midst of a Crisis: Can You Plan for Inspiration?

Let’s just say it...crisis moments are weird. Whether it’s something big like a global event or something smaller and more personal like burnout, a financial crunch, or just a rough patch you can’t quite name, they have a way of shaking things loose. Sometimes that means more creativity. Sometimes it means none at all. And the tricky part is you never really know how it’s going to hit you until you’re in it.

I’ve had both. Times where the world felt upside down and suddenly I was in the studio for hours every day, throwing paint around, making work that felt more honest than anything I’d done in years. And then, times where I could barely look at my sketchbook without feeling hollow. No spark. No pull. Just flatness.

This past year or two has reminded me just how unpredictable it can all be. Some of us went deep into making mode. Some of us froze. Some of us did both in waves. If you’re someone who found yourself questioning why you couldn’t make anything during a tough season, you’re not alone. And there’s nothing wrong with you. Creating through a crisis doesn’t have one path. That’s the truth no one really tells you. You don’t have to “use your pain” or “make the most of the moment” or any of those other sayings that float around when things are hard. Sometimes just getting through the day is the win.

But I also think we can talk honestly about what it looks like to manage creativity when things are not ideal. Because let’s be real...life is rarely ideal. And if you’re someone who’s trying to build a creative life or a creative business, you can’t always wait for the stars to align. You have to work with what you’ve got. That doesn’t mean pushing through at all costs. It just means noticing where you are and adjusting from there.

There’s this idea floating around that crisis leads to breakthrough. And yes, sometimes it does. But it’s not automatic. It usually comes with a lot of quiet internal wrestling, a lot of thrown-out attempts, and a lot of work that no one sees. That’s why I don’t think inspiration is something you can plan for. But you can build a system around your creativity so that when something does shift, you’re already in motion.

Here’s what I’ve learned from both making and not making during hard seasons. These aren’t rules, just things that have helped me when things felt wobbly.

Start with small actions. When I’m in a weird headspace and can’t seem to start anything real, I go back to what I call my warm-up work. I make lines. I collage scraps. I test out color swatches. I draw something I’ve drawn a hundred times before. There’s something grounding about it. No pressure. No big idea needed. Just motion. If you’re feeling stuck, try doing one small creative act each day. Don’t aim for finished work. Just show up. Sometimes that small motion leads to bigger work. Sometimes it doesn’t...but it keeps the door open.

Set up flexible structures. I’ve stopped trying to schedule inspiration. That doesn’t work for me. But I do schedule studio time. Even if I don’t know what I’ll make, I block it out. Even if all I do is stand in the studio sometimes that’s enough. It’s like setting the table. You might not cook a feast every time, but the space is there when you’re ready. Some days I clean. Some days I stare at things. Some days I actually paint. But the habit of showing up has helped me stay connected to the part of me that makes.

Have a “low-pressure” list. I keep a running list of creative things I want to try that don’t feel tied to any outcomes. Stuff like “try mono printing with junk mail” or “mess with that weird new brush set” or “record studio sounds and layer them into a loop.” Things I can do even when my brain feels foggy. It’s kind of like comfort food for my art brain. When a real crisis hits, it’s hard to brainstorm. So having that list ready makes a difference.

Let your emotions come through but don’t force it. There’s a big difference between honest expression and performance. If you feel like making something about the hard thing you’re going through...do it. If you don’t...don’t. I’ve made work about grief, confusion, anger, and uncertainty. I’ve also made work about color and shape and rhythm in the middle of all that. There’s no right way to respond. Don’t feel like you have to document or make sense of your emotions in your art unless that’s genuinely helpful for you.

Talk to your people. Even if it’s just one or two trusted folks. Sometimes saying out loud “I’m not making anything right now and I don’t know what’s going on” is enough to break the stuckness. I’ve had studio friends who sent me random prompts, checked in, or reminded me that I wasn’t the only one flailing. Those reminders matter. Community doesn’t always mean big groups or formal critique. Sometimes it’s just one other artist saying “yep, been there.”

Keep a “someday” folder. You know those random bits that don’t go anywhere? Notes in your phone. Sketches on napkins. Photos that don’t quite fit. I keep a folder (both digital and physical) for those things. I don’t expect anything from them. They’re just seeds. And when I’m in a hard stretch, sometimes I dig into that folder and something clicks. Or at least gives me a place to start.

Take breaks. Real ones. Even if it’s just an hour away from your normal routine. Walk without your phone. Touch grass. Listen to something unrelated to art. Crisis times are draining, both physically and mentally. Rest is not separate from the work. It’s part of it. Sometimes the best way to take care of your creativity is to step away from it. It will be there when you come back.

Don’t compare your process. Seriously. You might know someone who made an entire show during a hard season. Or someone who built a whole product line while everything else in their life was on fire. That’s great...for them. But it doesn’t mean you have to do that too. Your creative rhythm doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. Especially not in times of upheaval. Your process is yours. That’s enough.

And lastly, track what helps. After a few rough cycles, I started writing down what actually worked for me. Not what I thought should work. What really did. When I’m in a funk, I can look at that list. Things like “change location” or “listen to old music I used to love” or “use the materials I used in high school.” You’ll start to see your own patterns. And you can lean on those when things get shaky.

We don’t get to choose the timing of a crisis. But we can get to know ourselves better in the process. We can notice what creates friction...and what brings clarity. We can pay attention to what artmaking looks like when everything feels upside down...and what it looks like as we come back to ourselves.

So no, you probably can’t plan for inspiration. But you can plan to stay connected to your creative self, even if that connection looks different day to day. You can build habits and rituals and backup plans that hold you up when everything else feels uncertain. And you can be gentle with yourself when those systems wobble.

If you’re in the middle of a hard season right now...I see you. Keep showing up how you can. If you’re in a creative burst...ride it, but don’t expect it to last forever. If you’re somewhere in between that’s a perfectly valid place to be too.

Alright...your turn. What helps you stay connected to your creativity during tough times? Do you plan anything or do you let it all unfold however it needs to? I’d love to hear how you navigate it all.