Have you ever had so many creative ideas that you... made nothing at all?
Yeah. Me too. And I see you, fellow idea tornado.
The flood of inspiration - whether it's color palettes you want to swatch, techniques to try, projects you’ve pinned, courses bookmarked for "later" - can quietly morph into a full blown traffic jam.
You sit down to create and suddenly feel paralyzed. Do you start that abstract piece? Or try that new Procreate brush? Maybe it’s time to revamp your color palette? Wait, did you ever finish that collage?
Before you know it, you’re scrolling, saving, and spiraling… but not actually making.
So let’s talk about it:
- When inspiration turns into overwhelm
- Why it happens
- And gentle ways to move through it
Why does inspiration become overwhelming?
Creative overwhelm doesn’t usually stem from a lack of ideas—it stems from the pressure to choose the right one. Perfectionism can sneak in disguised as inspiration. Add that to a world where we’re constantly absorbing images, tutorials, and tips, and it’s no wonder we’re mentally fried before we even open our sketchbook.
Sometimes the brain is just... full. And that’s okay.
What to do instead (no hustle required):
This isn’t about overhauling your process or productivity hacking your way out of it. This is about creating a little space in the storm so you can hear your own creative voice again.
Here are a few filters to try:
- The “Today” filter: Ask yourself: What feels most interesting to me today? Not what’s the most strategic. Not what’s most impressive. Just: what’s calling to me right now?
- The “One Thing” rule: Pick one idea - yes, just one - and give it a mini commitment. 10 minutes. One sketch. One messy draft. That’s it.
- A visual brain dump: Feeling mentally tangled? Dump every idea onto a single page. No pressure, no sorting. Just release. (Bonus: you might start to see themes you actually want to follow.)
- Your “Why” Whisper: Sometimes we forget why we’re making in the first place. Reconnect to your why (not your to-do list).
You’re not alone in this 💛
This exact conversation is one of the first we’re having this month inside The Art Nest - our cozy, flexible brand spankin’ new community for creatives who want consistent practice without the pressure.
Let’s slow it down together and talk about the joy of doing less.
🗓️ We’ll explore:
- Why creative overload happens (even when it’s good stuff!)
- How to trust your curiosity without chasing every idea
- What it means to “filter” inspiration in a way that feels intuitive
- How to reset when you’re mentally tangled
If this sounds like your kind of support, come join us inside The Art Nest!
