How to Stay Inspired When You’re in a Creative Slump

Every musician, songwriter, and producer hits a creative slump at some point. One day, ideas are flowing effortlessly—then suddenly, nothing. The spark fades, motivation dips, and everything you play feels uninspired. 

I’ve been there. And if you’re reading this, you probably have too. But here’s the thing: a slump isn’t the end. It’s part of the process. Instead of waiting for inspiration to magically return, you can take action to get back in the groove.

Here’s what has worked for me.

1. Change Your Creative Input 

If you keep listening to the same music, playing the same licks, and using the same gear—your output will stay the same too. Inspiration thrives on new experiences. 

✅ Listen to music outside your usual genres. Try jazz, ambient, lo-fi, or film scores.

✅ Watch live performances of artists who inspire you. Seeing musicians in their element can reignite your fire.

✅ Read about your favorite musicians’ creative processes. Learning how others push through slumps can be eye-opening.

Sometimes, inspiration comes from stepping into unfamiliar territory and absorbing something fresh.

2. Remove the Pressure to “Create Something Great” 

One of the biggest creativity killers is the expectation that everything you make has to be good. That mindset locks you up before you even start.

✅ Give yourself permission to play with no agenda. Just noodle around and explore sounds.

✅ Set a timer for 10 minutes and create something—anything. No pressure, no judgment.

✅ Use creative prompts. Try starting with an unusual chord voicing or a random drum loop and see where it takes you.

The goal is to rebuild momentum without worrying about perfection.

3. Switch Instruments or Tools 

If the guitar isn’t sparking ideas, try a new sound source.

✅ Experiment with synths or electronic elements (Ableton, plugins, loop-based ideas).

✅ Play on an acoustic if you’ve been stuck on electric (or vice versa). 

✅ Mess with a new tuning. A different tuning forces you to think differently.

Changing tools changes how you approach creativity. It can unlock new ideas that wouldn’t have come otherwise. At the time of the this writing, I'm currently playing and writing with my synthesizers instead of my guitar. While it feels completely foreign right now, I'm already taking my music in different directions than what I'd normally travel. 

4. Go Back to Why You Started 

Sometimes, a slump happens because you’re too focused on external goals—finishing a song, impressing others, or making content. Take a step back and ask:

👉 What made you fall in love with music in the first place? 

👉 What was the last time playing guitar felt fun? 

👉 What do you love about making music when no one else is listening? 

Reconnecting with your “why” can help shift your mindset from stress back to passion. To be honest, I wrote this section for myself right now haha. But it seriously helps. Understanding your why is like having your own north star in the creative journey. Don't get lost, find your North Star. 

5. Step Away & Do Something Else 

The harder you try to force inspiration, the more elusive it becomes. Sometimes, you need space. 

✅ Go for a walk, hit the gym, or spend time in nature.

✅ Do something creative outside of music (drawing, journaling, photography).

✅ Take a short break and trust that the ideas will return.

Your brain is always working in the background. When you stop forcing it, inspiration often sneaks up on you. When I finished my music production degree, it took me a few weeks if not months to shake burnout. I had to just stop composing and catch my breath and figure out life outside of college. 

Creative slumps aren’t roadblocks—they’re detours. They’re part of the journey, and how you handle them determines how quickly you move forward.

Next time you feel stuck, try one of these approaches—switch up your input, lower the pressure, explore new tools, reconnect with your purpose, or just step away for a bit.

Most importantly, keep going. The music is still in you—you just have to clear the way for it to come out.