7 Ways to Embrace Your Creative Ebbs Without Feeling Like a Failure | By Becky Murdoch

As artists, writers, or makers, we know the frustration of the “ebb” season.  Those times when energy dips, ideas stall, and nothing seems to flow.  It’s so easy to slip into guilt and think you’re failing, but it’s important to remember that creativity isn’t meant to be constant output.

The ebb is not failure; it’s an invitation. 



Here are seven ways to embrace the quiet seasons of creativity without feeling like a failure.

1. Journal to Process

When you’re not feeling productive, you can still use the time to process. Use your journal as a safe place to capture random ideas, half-formed thoughts, or even complaints about feeling stuck. Sometimes the act of writing down “I don’t feel creative today” is exactly what clears the way for tomorrow’s creativity. 

2. Take a Stroll 

Movement and nature often unlock what sitting at your desk can’t. A slow walk helps you breathe differently, notice details, and create mental space. Pay attention to small things — the rhythm of your steps, the color of the sky, or a line of overheard conversation. That noticing is creative practice.

3. Consume Before You Create

I know, this seems backwards but instead of pressuring yourself to produce, let yourself soak up art. Read poetry, listen to an old record, rewatch a favorite film, or wander a museum. Input seasons matter as much as output seasons — you’re filling the well so future work can pour out.

4. Collaborate Lightly

If solo work feels impossible, join someone else’s. Collaborations don’t always have to be heavy lifts; they can be simple exchanges. Try a group doodle session, jam with a musician friend, or offer feedback on someone’s draft. Sometimes stepping into another artist’s momentum reignites your own. 

5. Practice Micro-Creativity

Not every creative act has to be a masterpiece. Try tiny things: scribble a haiku, snap an interesting photo on your phone, rearrange a bookshelf by color, make a playlist. Micro-creativity keeps the muscles engaged without pressure.

6. Redefine Rest as Work

Rest is part of the creative cycle. Instead of feeling guilty about downtime, remind yourself that your subconscious is composting ideas beneath the surface. Trust that the “pause” is productive, even when it doesn’t look like it.

7. Revisit Old Work with Kindness

Look back at what you’ve already made — old notebooks, forgotten drafts, early paintings, rough recordings. Revisiting past work can remind you of your growth and spark fresh inspiration. Sometimes the best way forward is hidden in something you left behind.

The ebb is not wasted time. It’s the part of the creative process that is pulling back to gather strength before the next surge forward. By embracing the quiet, you’re making space for what’s next.