Talk to the Bear and Beyond: Strategies for Sparking Creativity
Note: For part of my research for an upcoming post, I used generative AI to help write this article. I came up with the anecdotes, tips, and examples, but not all of the language is my own. Or the image. Or any mistakes. Yep, that was totally the AI.
Are you stuck in a creative rut? There are many techniques to help you break free and find inspiration. From engaging methods like "Talk to the Bear," where you clarify your ideas by explaining them to a stuffed animal, to switching up your mediums and styles, or even tapping into the powerful source of “shower thoughts,” these strategies can offer fresh perspectives and unlock new pathways in your writing process. Let's delve into these creativity-boosting techniques and see how they help get you unstuck.
Talk to the Bear
This is a problem-solving technique used in computer science and engineering programs. Students who have trouble with an assignment are encouraged to talk it out with a stuffed bear. Explaining the problem verbally helps clarify your thoughts. I have found that for writing it helps with crafting dialogue, brainstorming new plot paths, and understanding character choices.
Change Mediums
Switching writing mediums is a powerful technique to overcome writer’s block that taps into different cognitive processes and stimulates creativity in new ways. When you change from typing on a keyboard to handwriting, for example, the tactile experience and slower pace can foster deeper thinking and make it easier to connect with your ideas. Similarly, recording yourself speaking your thoughts can unlock a more natural, conversational flow that the formal structure of written language might stifle. Each medium engages your brain differently, which can help to disrupt repetitive thought patterns and open up fresh perspectives, ultimately making it easier to find your way out of a creative dead end.
Change Styles
Changing writing styles is a refreshing and innovative technique often employed when creative inspiration runs dry. At my company, we frequently use this method to break free from monotonous patterns and inject new life into our work. By writing in a completely different style—whether it's crafting everything as dialogue, penning prose in the style of Shakespeare, or mimicking the terse and punchy style of a news article—you can jolt your brain out of its usual habits. This approach may feel silly or unproductive, but it can unlock unique phrases or perspectives that add new flavor to your style.
Manifest “Shower Thoughts.”
Why do we get our best ideas in the shower? The activity provides just enough engagement to occupy the active parts of our minds while allowing our unconscious to take over. This is called a “flow state,” a concept developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow states can be triggered by tasks that occupy our conscious brain without overwhelming it, creating a perfect balance for creativity. You can induce flow states by engaging in activities that are challenging enough to keep you focused yet not so difficult that they become frustrating. Fidget spinners, doodling, and washing dishes also help.
How did my AI partner do? What do you do to get “unstuck?” Let us know in the comments!
Sources:
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row, 1990.
Hull, Denise, "The Cognitive Benefits of Handwriting," Psychology Today, 2019.
Mancini, Greg, "The Power of Verbalizing Your Thoughts," Journal of Creativity Studies, 2021.
Murphy, Meghan, "How Switching Up Writing Methods Helps Overcome Writer’s Block," Writer's Digest, 2020.