Creativity isn’t a bottomless well. Even the most inspired designers, writers, and business owners hit walls where ideas feel fuzzy, deadlines loom, and the joy of making gets replaced with pressure. If you’ve ever stared at your screen and thought, “Why isn’t this working? I’m exhausted, but I can’t stop now”, you’re not alone.

By the way, creativity doesn’t thrive in burnout. It thrives in balance. And balance doesn’t have to mean month-long holidays, spa days or buying the latest productivity app. Sometimes it’s the smallest shifts - the five-minute pauses, the gentle rituals, the moments where you remind yourself you’re human first and creative second. If you’ve been struggling, I’m right there with you. Read on for 5 habits that has helped me.

1. Make a Comforting Hot Drink

It sounds almost too simple, right? But there’s something grounding about stepping away from your desk and making yourself a cup of coffee, tea or even hot chocolate.

Here’s why it helps:

The act of pausing to make a drink signals to your brain that you’re safe to slow down
Warm beverages can physically relax your body, lowering tension and inviting calm
That five-minute ritual interrupts the endless scroll of “shoulds” in your head, giving you a micro reset

Next time you feel your creativity tightening into stress, put the kettle on. Let the sound, the smell, the warmth of the mug in your hands bring you back into the present. Sometimes clarity arrives via your fave cuppa.

2. Step Outside for Fresh Air

Your workspace might be full of colour palettes, sketchbooks or open tabs but nothing compares to what’s outside your front door.

Fresh air, sunlight and a quick change of scenery do more than clear your mind. Natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, boosting energy and focus. Moving your body, even for a five-minute walk, shakes up dull energy. Looking at trees, clouds or even the neighbour’s cat helps you zoom out of tunnel vision

If you can, take your hot drink from tip #1 and enjoy it outside. Even standing on your balcony or front step counts. Creativity loves movement and sometimes that first step out the door is all you need.

3. Schedule a Catch-Up

Creativity can be isolating. Whether you’re freelancing, studying or running a small business, it’s easy to spend hours (or days) inside your own head. That’s why human connection is such a powerful reset.

Catching up with a friend, colleague or fellow creative does a few things:

It shifts the focus away from your stuck idea
It reminds you that you’re part of a bigger world, not just your laptop screen
Conversations often spark unexpected inspiration

The key? Keep it simple. You don’t have to plan a long brunch or deep heart-to-heart (though those are lovely). A 10-minute phone call, a quick coffee or even a voice note exchange can be enough to reset your energy.

4. Don’t Overthink

Easier said than done, right? But overthinking is one of the quickest ways to block creativity. That loop of “this isn’t good enough, I need to try harder, maybe I should start again” steals more energy than the task itself.

Here’s a simple reframe: done is better than perfect. Progress is better than pressure. Curiosity is better than criticism.

Next time you feel stuck, notice if you’re actually doing the work or just thinking about the work. If it’s the latter, give yourself permission to make a messy first draft. Creativity often lives in imperfection - you can always polish later.

5. Be Kind to Yourself

This is the foundation of all the other tips. Being kind to yourself doesn’t mean ignoring deadlines or letting everything slide. It means recognising that you are not a machine.

Kindness looks like:

Speaking to yourself the way you’d speak to a friend
Allowing breaks without guilt
Remembering that rest is part of the process, not a reward after the process

When you treat yourself with compassion, you’re building resilience. You’re creating a sustainable rhythm where creativity can flourish without draining your wellbeing.

Why Self-Care Matters for Creatives

It’s tempting to think that pushing through exhaustion is a badge of honour. Late nights, triple espressos and the “grind mentality” often get celebrated in creative industries. But let’s be honest: that path usually leads to burnout, not brilliance.

Self-care is not indulgent. It’s strategic. When you pause, breathe, connect and recharge, you’re not stepping away from creativity. You’re making space for it to return with passion.

Think of these five tips as a toolkit. Some days you’ll need all of them. Other days, just one will be enough to shift your energy. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is presence.

Bringing It Back to Your Work

If you’re a creative business owner, self-care also shows up in how you run your business. Building systems that support you, setting realistic timelines and designing boundaries are all forms of creative wellbeing. At Nuhaus Studio, we believe design isn’t just about beautiful visuals, it’s about creating a sustainable, intentional life that supports the work you love.

So the next time you feel stuck, remember:

Step away, not deeper in
Small rituals can spark big shifts
Your wellbeing is your most valuable creative asset

Take care of yourself and the ideas will follow.

If this resonated, save these tips and come back to them on the days when the pressure feels heavy. Creativity is a journey, not a sprint. The more you nurture yourself, the more sustainable and fulfilling your work will be.

Here’s to making space for balance, clarity and design that you can be proud of.

5 Self-Care Tips for Creatives Who Feel Stuck