My Simple Ritual to Beat Creative Dry Spells

A sitting area imbued with the energy of Relief, The Bridge to Feeling OK, 24” x 30” x 2.5” Acrylic on Canvas, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

How to return to your art when the well feels dry

There are seasons when creativity feels distant—after an illness, emotional upheaval, or simply long periods of silence. But the desire to make art doesn’t vanish.

It waits.

So how do we come back when we’re tired, disconnected, or unsure of where to begin?

One tool I return to again and again is something I call bridging—gently creating a link from where you are now, back into your creative flow. No pressure. Just a thread for connection.

Sometimes it’s as simple as setting things up the night before: laying out brushes, preparing a canvas, or leaving a short note with an idea for tomorrow’s layer. That way, when I step back into the studio, I’m not starting from zero—I’m re-entering a conversation.

Relief, The Bridge to Feeling OK, 24” x 30” x 2.5” Acrylic on Canvas, © Deb Chaney Prints available on Saatchi Gallery.

In my 68 Secrets of an Illuminated Artist card deck, one card says, “I set up the night before.” That tiny act of kindness to your future self can be a lifeline.

Other creative bridges?

Lighting a candle before you begin. Asking your inner guidance to walk with you. Whispering, “Just for today, I’ll show up.”

Even ten minutes counts. And often, ten minutes is all it takes to open the door to something beautiful.

What might your creative bridge look like today?