What Drains Your Creative Fire: 8 Silent Killers of Motivation
Creativity can feel like a burst of energy, an unstoppable wave that pushes us to create and express ourselves.
Whether you’re a writer, a designer, a streamer, or someone with a hobby you want to turn into something more, motivation is often the driving force behind the work. But, as we all know, staying motivated is often easier said than done. In fact, motivation can fade just when you need it the most, leaving you feeling stuck or uninspired.
If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with creative blocks, you’re not alone, it’s been something I have been struggling with a LOT, and the scariest thing of all is, we don’t know that we are demotivated or drained.
There are several common factors that can drain your motivation and prevent your creative ideas from coming to life.
And understanding these creativity killers can maybe help you manage your creative process and keep that spark alive.
So, I have compiled a BIG list of some common things that I think really killed my motivation when I’m in a creative mindset:
Perfectionism: The Fear of Doing It Wrong
Perfectionism is often the silent killer of creativity. The desire to make every piece of work flawless can freeze anyone in place. You may spend hours tweaking a single idea or making small adjustments, only to find that you’ve made little progress or that you’re overwhelmed by how much more work is still ahead. For example… many of you think that writing is easy for me… however, in fact, it takes me days to finish one simple article… why because I want it to be perfect and honestly, it’s impossible.
And so the fear of failure or of not meeting someone’s high expectations keeps me from finishing or even starting projects. The pressure to make something perfect prevents me from exploring my ideas freely and even discourages me from creating altogether.
In reality, I think the best work often comes from experimentation and trial and error, not from obsessing over every tiny detail… I am still learning this BTW…
How I try and combat it: Allowing myself to create imperfectly… for example, I just write and write and write…
And trial and error is part of the process and can sometimes lead to something new or unique, new ideas or outcomes.
Self-Doubt: The Inner Critic
“Am I good enough?” “What if no one likes my work?” These thoughts are common when I’m in a creative mindset, but they can be stopped or suppressed.
Self-doubt can rob anyone of the confidence needed to move forward and share their creations with others. When I’m constantly second-guessing myself, it’s easy to become paralyzed and unable to take action.
My inner critic tends to amplify my fears and convince me that my work isn’t worthy of attention… hey, maybe it’s not… but who knows…
And over time, this can lead to creative burnout or the avoidance of creative something new altogether.
How you can combat it: Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. This really works for me, I try my best to say something nice about the work that I am doing… Something like “Today, my story will be read by someone”.
This reminds me of past successes and what makes my stories so valuable and enjoyable for others.
You don’t have to silence your inner critic completely—just keep it in check.
Overwhelm: Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Time
Sometimes, creativity can feel like a floodgate has opened in your mind, with idea after idea pouring in. While this can be exciting, it can also feel overwhelming when you try to tackle too many things at once.
Juggling multiple creative projects or ideas can lead to burnout, confusion, or an inability to focus on any single task.
When you spread yourself too thin, the quality of your work may suffer, and your motivation may dwindle. The overwhelming feeling of “I have so much to do!” can leave you feeling paralyzed rather than motivated to act. And this is not just in any creative space, this can also be at work… You know that IRL thing you also do…
How you can combat it: Break your ideas into manageable chunks. Prioritize and focus on one project at a time, creating a clear plan to keep yourself on track. Don’t be afraid to put some ideas on the back burner for a while. They’ll still be there when you’re ready to revisit them.
For me, right now, I am working on an active schedule, a schedule that I follow on when to write, when to stream, when to post… It’s brand new, however, I want to give it a try and see how it does.
Lack of Inspiration: Creative Fatigue
It’s normal to feel a dip in inspiration from time to time. Sometimes, the creative well just runs dry, leaving you wondering what to do next. Without inspiration, it’s hard to summon the motivation to start or continue a project.
Creative fatigue can happen for a variety of reasons—burnout, lack of stimulation, or even external stressors. When you’re mentally or emotionally drained, your mind may struggle to generate fresh ideas, and motivation can feel out of reach.
How you can combat it: Take breaks and step away from the creative process for a while. Try engaging in activities that inspire you, whether it’s reading, listening to music, or going for a walk. Surrounding yourself with new experiences can reignite your passion and creativity.
Personally, I think less screentime is the key here, or at least for me. I try and avoid “doom scrolling” as I find it really kills motivation and inspiration.
Comparison to Others: The Social Media Trap
In the age of social media, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your work to others’. Seeing someone else’s success or creations can make you feel discouraged, especially if you’re just starting out or facing a tough creative block. Or when you have been at the game for months and someone new comes along and boom… perfection.
The constant cycle of comparison can make anyone doubt their abilities, leading to procrastination or avoidance. The more you focus on what others are doing, the less motivation you may feel to pursue your path.
How you can combat it: Remember that everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own growth and accomplishments, and celebrate the small victories along the way. Rather than comparing, try connecting with others for support and encouragement.
A good support structure is all you need. I find that my mom is always going to be the most honest person in the room, and I know she will support me regardless of how slow I work or how little notice I get… she will always be there for me as a support character.
Unrealistic Expectations: The Pressure to Be Productive
In today’s fast-paced world, there’s a constant push to be productive, to always be creating, and to always be improving. But this can create an unhealthy cycle where you feel like you need to constantly produce something to validate your worth or success, and a person or brand.
The pressure to meet these high expectations can cause anxiety and motivation loss, especially if you’re working on something that’s taking longer than you expected.
Creative work often doesn’t follow a strict timeline, and sometimes things need time to come together. When you pressure yourself to be constantly productive, it can kill your enjoyment of the process and leave you feeling burnt out.
How you can combat it: Set realistic goals and allow yourself time to rest. Creativity is not a race. It’s okay to take your time and pace yourself. Don’t equate your value to how much or how quickly you create.
One of the hardest struggles I think for anyone to learn is, your success is writing at your own pace, and it should not be at someone else’s.
External Distractions: Losing Focus
In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to get distracted. Whether it’s the constant ping of social media notifications or the pull of chores and errands, external distractions can derail your creative flow.
When your environment isn’t designed to create, it can be difficult to focus, and motivation often takes a backseat.
How you can combat it: Create a distraction-free environment for your creative work. Set specific times for creating and block out other obligations during that time. Consider using tools like a spotify playlist to help you focus or a schedule.
Internet Doomscrolling: A Hidden Motivation Killer
In today’s digital age, it’s easy to get caught in the endless cycle of scrolling through social media or news feeds. This practice, known as “doomscrolling,” involves consuming a constant stream of negative or unsettling news and information, which can have a direct impact on anyone’s mental well-being and creativity.
Doomscrolling is particularly dangerous because it drains your emotional energy, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or even apathetic. When your mind is consumed with negative thoughts or global issues, it can be nearly impossible to summon the energy and focus needed for creative work.
How you can combat it: Set boundaries around your digital consumption. Try to limit your screen time, especially when it comes to negative content. Replace doomscrolling with activities that help recharge your energy, like reading, exercising, or simply taking a walk outdoors. It’s important to stay informed, but your creativity needs a mental space free from constant negativity.
The NUMBER ONE thing I learned was, avoid looking at your phone the first hour after you wake up; it really, really does help with a bit more productivity.
Creative motivation can be elusive, but it’s not impossible to reclaim. Understanding what kills your motivation is the first step in preventing it from derailing your progress. Whether it’s battling perfectionism, managing self-doubt, curbing the pressure of comparison, or breaking the cycle of doomscrolling, taking small, intentional steps to address these creativity killers can make a huge difference in how you approach your work.
At the end of the day, motivation is a cycle. Accepting the flow of your creative energy is essential to understanding a sustainable creative practice. So, when motivation fades, don’t give up. Rest, reflect, and give yourself the grace to get back to creating when you’re ready.
Your creativity is worth it, even if it takes a little longer than expected to fully bloom. So with this information, I hope you can implement some of them to help you refocus and start creating all the wonderful things you have always planned to create…
If you can think of any more ideas or tips, please share them in the comment section below.
Lots of Love
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