Creativity Can’t Be Forced | Here’s How I Make Space for It
There’s a certain level of creativity needed to plan content and develop social media strategies. But one thing I’ve learned over the last 10 years is that you can’t force creativity—it has to come naturally.
For me, creativity flows best when my mind is clear. It’s not when I’m tired, stressed, or juggling a million things. If I’m overwhelmed with my to-do list, the ideas just don’t come. But when I give my brain space to breathe, creativity arrives effortlessly.
Forcing Creativity Leads to Stale Ideas
Whenever I try to be creative at the wrong time, it feels forced. My ideas don’t have that spark, and I find myself searching for inspiration instead of letting it come naturally. This takes up way more time than necessary and makes the whole process feel harder than it should be.
That’s why I’ve learned to create the right conditions for creativity instead of trying to force it.
How I Set Myself Up for Creativity
There are a few things that help me get into a creative mindset:
Rest is key. If I’m running on little sleep, my brain just doesn’t work as well. Simple as that.
Limiting caffeine. Don’t get me wrong, I love coffee—but too much makes my mind race, and that’s not helpful when I need to be in a creative flow.
Taking real breaks & limiting distractions. As a small business owner, my brain is constantly thinking about work. Clients, emails, new projects—there’s always something. But if I don’t step away from it all or limit my distractions, my creativity suffers.
One of the best tools I’ve found for this is Focus Mode on my iPhone. I have separate “Work” and “Chill” modes that help me stay present. Work mode keeps me focused during busy hours, while Chill mode removes distractions and unnecessary notifications when I need to recharge. If I’m in a creative flow, I’ll turn these on to protect that time from interruptions.
Everyone Is Creative—You Just Have to Nurture It
I hear people say, “I’m not creative” all the time, and honestly, I hate that phrase. Creativity isn’t something you either have or don’t have—it’s a muscle. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
The key is to create an environment where creativity can thrive. That means giving yourself space to think, rest, and experiment without pressure.
So, if you’ve been feeling stuck or uninspired, take a step back. Try shifting your routine, setting boundaries, or just giving yourself permission to take a break. You’ll be surprised at how much easier creativity comes when you’re not forcing it.
Hope this helps!
