Out of the Rut: Creative Ways to Reconnect with Your Artistic Self

Illustration courtesy of Jason Tan accepted Art Center College of Design majoring in Illustration for Entertainment Design

Even the most creative people sometimes get stuck. Whether you're a photographer, a painter, a writer, or a dancer, the artistic rut is real. We start to question ourself, compare our work to others, and wonder if what we're doing matters. But here's the truth: doubt and comparison are part of the creative path. The key is learning how to move through them with curiosity rather than fear.

One of my students, a thoughtful Comparative Literature and photography major, recently found herself in a low place creatively. She felt uninspired and stuck, unsure of how to reconnect with her vision. Then, she did something powerful—she acknowledged what she was feeling. That kind of self-awareness is the first and most important step.

Then, she took action. She switched cameras, not because one was better than the other, but because she wanted to see differently. A change in tools can lead to a change in mindset. After that, she began photographing familiar things—her dorm room, her daily life. These weren’t glamorous shots meant to impress. They were intimate moments: her lamp, her desk, the light through her window. They were exercises in seeing.

And then something beautiful happened.

She began layering calligraphy over her photographs, adding poetry, quotes from famous works of literature, and personal thoughts right on top of the images. What once felt mundane to some, became expressive, layered, and rich with meaning. “Instead of noticing the most impressive and gorgeous,” she told me, “I pay close attention to my daily life.”

Her portfolio now centers on home, the sky, self-reflection, and the story behind the ordinary. It's genuine and connects to her narrative.

If you're feeling stuck, try one of these ideas to help shake off doubt and reconnect with your creative self:

1. Switch Up Your Tools

Try a different camera, brush, journal, or digital tool. A new texture or lens can refresh the way you see the world.

2. Document the Ordinary

Photograph or draw what’s around you—your kitchen table, your shoes by the door, the afternoon light. These small details carry so much story.

3. Add a New Layer

Combine disciplines. Add handwritten notes, sketches, or found objects to your work. Let yourself experiment. Playfulness is a cure for perfectionism.

4. Change the Format

Print your photos on large matte paper with a ragged edge for a handmade feel. Or publish them in a small book format with titles or stories. It’s not about the final product—it’s about seeing your work in a new way.

5. Curate Your Own Mini Gallery

Put your work up on your wall. Move it around. See how one piece feels next to another. This act of arranging can reveal unexpected connections between your ideas.

6. Share Your Creations

Share a small book of your work with friends or family. Not for feedback—just for connection. Art doesn’t always need a grade; sometimes it just needs to be seen.

If you're in a rut, it doesn’t mean you've failed. It means you're being invited to slow down, look closer, and rediscover why you started creating in the first place. Believe me, your pace will soon increase with the excitement in something new, a clever development, connection, or approach.

You don’t need to be the most impressive or the most original. You are genuine just the way you are. And sometimes, the most powerful art comes from the most overlooked corners of our daily lives.