As a writer, we often find ourselves in a space without creativity or flow. This stumbling stone is quite normal for all creative minds, but in many cases also avoidable. Today we will look at some methods of how you will be able to stay in the flow and keep writing your heart out.
Carry a Notebook With You
You are probably already carrying a notebook with you, but you are also forcing yourself. When you have relaxing minutes, grab your book and doodle away. Don’t force yourself to write good content, but rather just draw what’s on your mind.
You might feel empty, then that is what you will draw. Just relax your mind and let the pressure of writing a great song take the back seat.
You are in control of your mental thoughts and we can manage where the flow and willpower come from.
Use the Sleep-or-Work-Method
It is proven that after you have woken up, your mind is in the most creative state. Students also use it to study. You work until you are tired, then take a nap, and then read through your previous work to know where you stopped.
Use this strategy to also activate your creative flow. Your mind will automatically give you the inspiration to continue again and place you on the ideal path to complete your goal.
Start a New Song After Completing a Song
This is how a productivity king is born! While you write you gain new ideas. Use this technique to get the most out of your inspiring moments to support the times when creativity flow is lower.
Also, dot down ideas for new songs while you are in the middle of writing since lyrics, names, inspiration and melodies can pop up at any time.
Try to synchronise your songwriter’s notebook with your voice notes on your mobile. This way you can write your lyrics, express melodies, and harmonise vocals with a quick and easy recording.
If you are looking to record a demo soon, I would definitely motivate you! Look at the blog I posted about Why Recording a Demo is Important for Your Band.
Take a Time Out
Sometimes taking a step backwards also means taking many more forwards. There comes a time when we all need a break from something, even our hobbies or passions.
A doctor in educational philosophies once told me that:
A holiday recharges the creative batteries.
Dr. M. Burgh
Make sure that you take regular breaks. Go away and meet new people. Meeting new people means new influences and new ideas.
Even if you meditate or relax in the sun. This all helps to regain your creativity and prepare your brain to be stimulated with the willingness to produce your new hit single. 😉
Visit an Old Friend
This is a risky method that really works, but it can also dig up old skeletons. It provokes the mind to generate emotions and become creative all over again.
Pay a visit to an old friend or family member whom you have lost contact with. There was a reason why you became friends in the first place. Mostly also people part ways without noticing, just by drifting apart.
Have a chat and catch up. If you walk away filled and inspired, you have reached your goal!
Get Out of Bed
The moment between being awake and in your sub-conscience mind, close to falling asleep, is a phase where most artist gets approached and inspired by excellent musical ideas.
You will regularly hear musicians say: “I had this great idea in mind, but I forgot it!” This happens when you don’t take action when these moments of genius cross your path.
Only the strongest can get up from bed and dot down what has crossed their minds.
If you can manage to make recordings of these ideas, you will literally write songs in your sleep.
It is absolutely worth it to take the 10 minutes of taking your guitar or piano, sing your melody and go back to bed after the magic has happened.
Create a Change of Scenery
Your workspace is your safe zone, I get it. But have you ever thought of taking a long train ride and just doing your writing on the move?
Many corporate companies are now also making use of ‘walking meetings’, where staff members go for walks in order to reach maximum production during this time. It enhances brainstorming and cooperative planning, and you don’t even need a room for this.
This proves that working on the go has a positive productivity impact.
Different ways of changing the scenery to maximise your creativity:
- Take a walk while you practice, write and say your lyrics.
- Go to a different room in your house where you still have your instrument.
- Sit at a quiet park and place yourself where you can hear water flowing.
- Take a long-distance train ride. Listen to your recordings and be inspired by being in different surroundings.
This post was written and posted by De Wet from startingmyband.com on 04.03.2023. The content was stolen from me if this blog post is seen anywhere else.
Keep it Simple
Sometimes we create these blocks for ourselves by becoming too perfectionistic or over-complicating something that can be double as good when just sticking to the basics.
Most songs that went viral are the ones that just allow the listener to enjoy and don’t need much to get used to. By taking it easy you will place less pressure on yourself and allow your mind to flow out creativity easier.
If you are more focused on songwriting and are keen to get a foot in the door in the industry, then don’t miss the post I wrote about Selling a Song You Wrote to an Artist. It will guide you to a few guidelines about how to make this possible for you.
Take Care of your Physical Health to be Creative
Most of us know this feeling of having a clogged mind. It feels like there’s a cloud in your head and you struggle to think clearly. Not even coffee or fresh air feels like it’s helping.
This is perhaps a case of a brain fog standing in your way.
This can be avoided by increasing your physical fitness and taking regular movement breaks. There are various ways of making sure that you reach this:
- Set a goal of taking approximately 10k steps per day.
- Between sessions, have 2-5 minutes of stretching.
- To unlock your biggest resource of creativity is to make use of high-intensity interval training. This method got me from zero to hero, so I can highly recommend giving it a go.
- Control your alcohol intake.
- Get in your vitamins.
- Check your diet. With this, I don’t mean that you should go on a diet, but rather try to not only eat fast food. Get in your veggies and fibre as well.
These aspects will definitely help you to stay creative and get in the flow from the get-go.
Write Like a Rapper
Well, basically a big brainstorm of rhyming words around a certain topic your song is about. Try these steps:
- Find the concept keyword of your song first and write it down at the centre of your paper.
- Write down as many words that rhyme with your concept word on a piece of paper.
- Now use this pool of rhyming words to create an interesting story, each line ending on a rhyming word.
- There’s a story looking to be found by you. Try to look deeply to discover the
Now use your style to mix these words into sentences and compile your melody.
I hope that this variety of open-minded ideas will help you unblock your songwriter’s journey and perhaps take the next level of your career.
If you are solo, and you are not sure if you would like to add band members, don’t miss the summary I made for you about the pros and cons of playing in a band.
Have a good one, and keep the faith!