Have you ever started working out regularly, got into such a rhythm that going to the gym or running became a part of your daily routine - so it was hard to imagine a day without spending at least a few chunks of time at the gym?

That same pattern applies to creative work.

Being in the creative flow state is great.
You're doing, creating, moving forward, flying.

But most often, creativity comes in waves. And sometimes, for no particular reason, the sea is flat like a table, and you need to give it a little push to get your brain back in the zone.

Just like it's hard to get back to the gym after a few days off, or to running after recovering from an injury - when you have to rebuild everything from scratch - there's a chance that when you fall into a creative slump, it’ll be tough to climb out of it.

But there are ways to keep that creative flow in a steady state and draw from it while working on projects - whether it's photography or another form of art - without the risk of “injury”.

Move more

Human brain is wired in a fascinating way: the best ideas and solutions often come to us when we’re not actively trying to think about them.

When you're physically moving - whether you're walking, running, or engaging in endurance sports - you give your brain the space to disconnect from the stress of constant problem-solving. This lack of pressure creates the ideal environment for fresh ideas to emerge. It triggers a deeper level of creative thinking.

So, if you find yourself stuck or in need of inspiration, go for a run, take a long walk, or do something that gets your body moving. Let your brain wander and see what it brings to the surface. You might just find your next big idea while you're not even trying.

Write everything down

If you have an idea - write it down. Don’t trust your memory. You will forget, especially if that one brilliant thought hits you at an unexpected moment (in the shower, before sleep, on a walk). Your brain is wired that way - ideas come and go.

Write it down and let it sink.

Don’t jump into a new idea right away if you're already deep into another project. No worries - you wrote it down, it’s not going anywhere.

Build yourself a library of ideas and come back to it when the time is right.

Don’t overthink

When a creative idea hits, it usually feels exciting and totally worth doing. But once you're deep into the project, it can start to lose its spark. You might even think it makes no sense - and at some point, you quit because it suddenly feels like nonsense.

Sounds familiar?

Don’t overthink it. When the idea comes, break it down into clear, specific steps and just start executing - exactly as you wrote it.
Don’t question everything mid-process. Finish first. Then give yourself space to evaluate it and learn from it.

Less is more

Don’t start too many projects at once, especially if finishing things is a struggle for you.

By focusing on one project at a time, you’re able to fully immerse yourself in it. Completing a single project will give you a massive sense of accomplishment, boost your confidence, and provide the momentum you need to keep moving forward. That feeling of success will renew your energy and clarity, making it easier to dive into the next task.

Less really is more. When you tackle one project at a time, you’re not only ensuring that you finish it, but you’re also creating a sense of discipline and mastery that will serve you well in the future.
The risk of abandoning your work for one reason or another goes way down.

Take breaks

When you’re in the flow - really in it - let yourself be all in. Day and night. That’s the time when you can justify skipping sleep (as long you don’t make a habit of it), and your diet can take a backseat (as long as you do eat something and not just junk).

Be obsessed with your project.

But once it’s done - really be done. Step away. Take a break. Do something completely different.
Watch a movie. Go for a walk. Write a poem. Go on a date. Order pizza. Dance. Sleep. Eat.

Recharge your batteries.

When you want to be a long distance creative - you need to think long distance

The metaphor of a runner works perfectly here not without the reason.

A few years ago I started running. I started running like there’s no tomorrow.

I’ve experienced injuries many times while being at the peak of my form, which forced me to take a step back. After a long recovery period, I’d have to start all over again, which always costs me pain and frustrations.

At some point, I had to self-reflect and I realised that my bursts of sporty ambition - going from zero to hero - had to be put aside if I wanted to build lasting endurance and actually enjoy the process of exercising.

I understood that I wouldn't become a marathon runner overnight. I had to slowly change my habits and work consistently, but not so hard that I would wear my body down.

I read somewhere: creativity is the result of not trying to be creative.

It comes. Or not. You can’t force it. But you can, and you must, create the right conditions for your brain to step into the right flow. And if you do it in a healthy way, you won’t burn it out.

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How to stay creative over a long distance