Finding Light in the Creative Spark: Gentle Nudges When the Fog Rolls In
Like many of us, I've found the past couple of weeks holding a particular kind of weight. Navigating the mental landscape has felt a bit challenging. For me, part of this journey often involves the ebb and flow of seasonal shifts in mood, and a key companion I usually turn to is my creative outlet. We often hear the valuable advice to simply move our bodies when feeling low, but in those moments, even that simple act can feel monumental, and the question of 'worthiness' can loom large.
It's during these stretches that I find myself deeply drawn to creativity. Not just as a distraction, but as a language to express the inexpressible, a gentle channel for the frustrations and anxieties that feel stuck. This month, even in the midst of feeling down, I nudged myself to attend several art events, seeking that connection and spark.
In my next post, I’ll be excited to share some of the wonderful art moments I experienced exploring fairs and more. But today, I wanted to share a bit about how creativity, that vital spark within us, can act as a gentle companion and aid in finding light when we feel a little lost or hopeless.
If you're a creative soul, you know how easily discouragement can creep in. Maybe the art isn't finding its audience, the auditions aren't coming through, or the music feels unheard. That whispering voice might ask, "Why bother? Why pour your energy into creating at all?"
When that feeling settles, I try to anchor myself back to the source, the root of it all... the 'why.' Why did this path of creating call to me in the first place?
LE Painting in her old studio.
I recently read "Atomic Habits" (a truly helpful read for nurturing routines), and one of the ideas that resonated deeply was not only habit stacking but finding the joy that is tied to the habits we want to cultivate. So, when discouragement visits, I look for the flicker of joy that first ignited this passion for making things, for expressing myself, and for perhaps, encouraging that spark in others.
I truly believe it's a powerful form of healing, a gentle therapy, and an outlet for our inner world that perhaps doesn't get quite enough attention. One of my earliest ways of creating was writing, so in moments of frustration, I often find solace in journaling or writing poetry. I also find myself daydreaming... quite a lot.
Imagination is the birthplace of creativity, isn't it? So why not give ourselves permission to simply envision the kind of life we yearn to move towards? It all begins with a spark, a dream. Why not nurture that vision, see where it wants to lead you, and just begin taking gentle steps in that direction?
Seeking gentle ways to connect with that creative spark, I researched some tips on how creativity can offer a hand when navigating challenging emotional waters.
A Gentle Note: These ideas are shared from one creative soul to another, based on personal exploration and research. If your depression feels overwhelming, unmanageable, or unsafe, please reach out to a mental health professional or someone you trust right away. You don't have to navigate this alone.
10 Creative Ways to Nudge Yourself Out of the Fog
Tiny, Playful “Acts of Making”: Set a 5–10-minute timer and complete onemicro-project—a quick watercolor wash, a single-line poem, a doodle on a sticky note. A fast, small win can deliver a gentle burst of "I did something!" dopamine that helps soften inertia.
Color as Chemistry: Pull out paint swatches, yarn scraps, or colored pencils. Pick the hue that feels like your mood’s opposite (gray day? Maybe reach for a warm yellow or vibrant teal). Make a quick gradient or collage and gently invite color to offer an energy shift.
Sunrise Soundtrack: Curate a 10-song playlist that starts gently and gradually builds energy. Press play the moment you open your eyes and allow the rising tempo to perhaps coax you from bed into light stretching or a slow, uninhibited dance.
One-Sense Treasure Hunt: Take a 15-minute stroll with a single sense dialed up.
Sight: Photograph five tiny things you’ve never noticed before.
Smell: Collect three distinct scents (a bakery, a jasmine bush, rain on concrete).
Sketch: Or jot them down when you get home—gently focusing outward can help quiet the internal rumination.
“Bad Art” Hour Schedule a weekly 30-minute slot solely for making awfulart. Scribble nonsense, tear paper, sing off-key – judgement is NOT invited. Permission to be gloriously terrible can free up creative energy—and often births surprisingly joyful pieces when the pressure is off.
Storyboard Your Future Mood: Draw or bullet-list six frames of a mini-film where Future You wakes up feeling a little more content or hopeful. Externalizing hope as a storyboard can offer your brain a gentle, concrete target instead of a vague wish.
Collaborative Chain Project Text a friend: “Hey, want to add one line to this poem/drawing with me?” Pass it back and forth throughout the week. Gentle accountability + social connection = a lovely, shared mood lift, and the finished piece becomes a sweet reminder of shared resilience.
At-Home Micro-Residency: Choose one weekend morning for a two-hour "artist residency" just for you. Phone on airplane mode, favorite snacks within reach, maybe light a comforting candle—then explore without expectations. A defined, cozy container can feel much safer and more inviting than the open-ended "I should be creative sometime."
Sensory Gratitude: Skip the standard list format. Capture gratitude in sensory form—create a palette of colors that matched today’s blessings, write a short haiku about a comforting sound, or record a voice memo layering ambient sounds that brought peace. Engaging multiple senses can help ground and embed positivity more deeply.
Build Your Support Palette: Remember that support comes in many forms.
Therapist or Art Therapist: Guides you in channeling creativity clinically and navigating deeper emotions.
Creative Meetups: Low-stakes virtual sketch circles or open mics offer community energy without performance pressure.
Mood-Tracking Apps: Provide gentle, objective data on patterns, helping you understand and tweak routines.
Ready to Try One?
Pick the tip that sparks the tiniest curiosity and give it five minutes today. Then come back and tell us how it felt—drop a comment or tag #LECreativeHour on Instagram/TikTok so we can celebrate your spark.
Every brushstroke, stanza, or off-key hum counts. Your next burst of color is already mixing on the palette.
““This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear.””