3 Ways to Boost Your Creativity in 2025 

There is so much noise and distraction in our modern world that it can be hard to feel inspired to create. Getting unstuck from a creative slump can feel close to impossible. And the pressure to be as productive as possible in our scant free time can cause us to freeze up. 

Last year, I accidentally discovered the quickest way to overcome my creative blocks, and I want to share these techniques with you: (1) unplug from social media, (2) limit streaming time (e.g., YouTube), and (3) cut back on meaningless activities.

The key is to create “empty space” in your calendar: time blocks that are empty, waiting for you to fill them with fun things to do. Creating empty space not only frees up your schedule; it also frees up your mind so you have headspace to let your imagination run free. If you’d like to experience a creative revival of your own, read on to learn how to get started!

When you purchase using the links in this blog, I may earn a small affiliate commission – about enough to buy a chai tea latte – at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

1. Unplug from social media.

I deactivated my Instagram in February 2024. It was supposed to be a 40-day break for Lent, the Catholic liturgical season of prayer and fasting. Instead, it morphed into a sabbatical of 12 months (and counting). It was hard at first, and I definitely had FOMO the first week. Every time I craved going on the app, I checked in with myself to see what it was I actually wanted. Sometimes I felt lonely, so I called a friend. Sometimes, I was bored – so I turned on an audio podcast on Spotify. It took effort to make those behavior changes. Now, I feel so free that I don’t know when (or if) I’ll ever go back.

I realized then that Instagram had been one of my biggest creative blocks. I had invisible chains of comparison encircling my wrists, causing me overthink what to create, how to create, and even how fast to create so I was churning out enough content for the insatiable algorithm.

I now can create for pleasure and at my own pace without feeling like my projects (or my workspace) have to look “aesthetic” enough to post on IG. Last spring, I painted the landscape in the photo above, and working on it brought me so much fulfillment.  This painting wouldn’t have necessarily fit my “brand” on Insta because it was a somber scene. It captured that bittersweet emotion I feel when the rains of late spring beat down on the dogwood blossoms and magnolia petals. I always get a little sad seeing these pink and white petals litter the ground because it means that the trees will fade to green and no longer have their colorful, happy springtime color. But it’s also a promise of what’s to come: warmer weather and new life. 

I was able to process all of these feelings in that one painting because I could create for pleasure, not an algorithm. 

I understand that not everyone struggles with comparison on Instagram, or other social media apps. For many, Instagram is low-pressure and indeed their favorite outlet to share their life or their work with the world. I share my story in case my experience is helpful to anyone.

If social media has you feeling a little burnout, consider which app(s) you spend the most time on, and whether you may benefit from taking a little break.

2. Limit streaming time.

YouTube has it all: social commentary, historical documentaries, video podcasts, day-in-the-life vlogs, music that’s not on Spotify, and so much more. Even though I usually had YouTube on while doing something else (e.g., cooking), I realized that it was stealing pockets of time away from me. YouTube is kind of like a little thief that snatches $5 here and $2 there from your wallet. You don’t notice these small losses until eventually $50 is gone. Sometimes I would find myself bored with YouTube, fed up with literally everything I had clicked on that day…yet still scrolling on the app looking for something to watch. Like what?!

I cut it out of my life cold turkey during Lent 2024, and let me tell you – those first two weeks were rough. But the amazing thing was, over time, my mind course corrected. Instead of pining over my favorite streaming app (lol), I gradually started to fill my time with things I used to love: browsing art books I picked up at the library; making use of my Audible subscription; and, actually watching the online drawing and design classes that I bought with my hard-earned money (yet had put off to watch free YouTube clips smh). And after a few weeks, I didn’t simply want to read about interior design DIYs or watch someone else show me different painting techniques on Teachable. I wanted to do it myself.

You can learn how to give your thrift shop frames a glam makeover in this blog DIY tutorial here.

Which apps do you spend the most time streaming? What would happen if you scaled back the time you spent streaming video?

3. Cut back on meaningless activities

If you’re participating in any extracurricular activities that you can’t stand, it may be time to let that stuff go. Hand in that resignation to the organization you don’t want to be a volunteer board member for anymore. Quit that virtual book club if you know you haven’t picked up that dry book in weeks. Find an eager mentee you can train up so you no longer have to plan the annual bake sale you’ve run for the past 7 years. Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll want to leave any prior engagements you’ve had on good terms. But recognize when it’s time to go.

I know goodbyes are hard, and it’s difficult to say no. But if you have fallen out of love with a certain activity, and you’re only going through the motions…recognize that you are lavishly spending the most expensive resource known to mankind: precious time that you can never get back. Letting go means you can reclaim your time for activities that light you up and bring you happiness.

Two books that I have found helpful in teaching me how to say “no” and “goodbye” are The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton and Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud.


You are allowed to say no to activities that once may have fulfilled you, but no longer do. You are a whole person without your digital avatar on social media, and you have the right to take a break whenever you need one. I challenge you to make empty space in your calendar.  Get offline and back into the real world. All of this will rekindle your creativity in the year ahead. 

I hope that these three techniques work for you. If you’re looking to break free of writer’s block, overcome a dry spell, or generate your next creative renaissance, give them a try!

Best of luck, friends! 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *