How to stay inspired, calm, and connected as a designer or student

Whether you’re studying architecture, design, or building a creative business, it’s easy to lose confidence when things get busy - or when inspiration seems to disappear altogether.

Creativity isn’t a constant state. It ebbs and flows. Some days you’ll feel unstoppable, other days you’ll feel blocked, tired, or overwhelmed. That’s normal.

The good news? You can rebuild your creative energy, one small action at a time. Here’s your Creative Confidence Toolkit, a mix of practical strategies, mindset shifts, and mini rituals to help you stay inspired, calm, and creative.

1. Reconnect With Your Creativity

Creativity doesn’t come from pressure, it comes from play. If you’ve been pushing too hard, take a breath. Step back. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is to create for no reason at all.

Here are 29 simple ways to stay creative when you’re feeling stuck:

Make lists (start small)
Carry a notebook everywhere
Try free writing, no rules, no judgment
Get away from your screen
Stop beating yourself up
Take breaks and actually rest
Sing in the shower
Drink coffee (or tea, whatever fuels your flow)
Listen to new music
Be open to new ideas
Surround yourself with creative people
Get feedback
Collaborate
Don’t give up
Practice, practice, practice
Allow mistakes, they’re how you grow
Go somewhere new
Count your blessings
Get plenty of rest
Take risks
Break the rules sometimes
Don’t force it
Read a random page from the dictionary
Create a framework or challenge
Stop comparing yourself to others
Write ideas down
Clean your workspace
Have fun
Finish something - momentum builds confidence

Remember: Creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s about expression.

2. When You’re Overwhelmed or Burnt Out

You can’t pour from an empty cup. When stress or self-doubt takes over, your creativity will shrink too. That’s when it’s time to pause, breathe, and reset.

Here are 8 things to do when you feel overwhelmed:

Breathe and listen. Step outside, even for 60 seconds. Feel the air, look at the sky, breathe deeply.
Bake or cook something simple. Creative acts outside of design help reset your brain. (Bonus: cookies make everything better.)
Light a candle. Set the tone for calm, scent and soft light matter more than you think.
Get comfortable. Change into your cosiest outfit. Comfort helps you feel safe enough to rest.
Freshen up. A quick shower, a spritz of perfume, brushing your hair - it all helps you feel like you again.
Reach out to a friend. Text, call, or voice note someone who gets it. Sometimes sharing how you feel lightens the load instantly.
Nurture something. Water your plants, feed your pet, tidy your desk. It grounds you in the present moment.
Speed clean your space. Set a 10-minute timer and tidy. A clearer environment often leads to a clearer mind.

Overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re failing - it means you need rest and perspective.

3. Build Habits That Protect Your Creativity

Creative confidence isn’t just about feeling inspired - it’s about creating systems that support your flow long-term.

Here are 5 practical habits to help you stay productive and inspired:

1. Create a Daily Routine With Time Blocks

Structure brings freedom.
Batch similar tasks and schedule your day around your natural energy levels. If you’re most creative in the morning, block that time for drawing, designing, or writing - save admin for later.

2. Take “Creative Breaks”

Short, intentional breaks recharge your mind. Go for a walk, stretch, or switch tasks. Often, your best ideas come after you step away.

3. Keep a Sketchbook or Creative Journal

Your best ideas won’t always appear at your desk. Capture thoughts, sketches, and observations anywhere, anytime - your sketchbook becomes your personal archive of inspiration.

4. Set Small, Achievable Goals

When everything feels too big, shrink the task. Start each day with three small goals you can realistically achieve. Each win builds momentum and confidence.

5. Surround Yourself With Inspiration

Feed your creative brain. Visit galleries, travel, read, listen, and explore. Follow other designers, artists, and architects who inspire you - not to compare, but to connect.

Creativity thrives in curiosity.

4. Trust Your Process

There will be days when you doubt yourself - when ideas don’t land, or projects feel heavy. That’s part of being a creative. What matters most is trusting that creativity always returns. It’s a cycle, not a constant. Keep feeding it, and it will find its way back to you.

“Creativity is not a talent, it’s a way of operating.” - John Cleese

5. Your Creative Confidence Toolkit

Here’s a quick recap of what to keep in your toolkit:

Mindset tools

Rest before burnout
Practice gratitude
Let go of perfection

Practical tools

Sketchbook + notebook
Playlist for focus
Coffee, candle, comfy clothes

Connection tools

Collaborate, share ideas
Talk about your process
Find your creative community

You’ve Got This

Your creativity is your superpower - it just needs care, consistency, and a little confidence. When in doubt, start small. Pick one thing from this list and do it today. Sketch something. Bake something. Write something. Move your body. And remember, you don’t have to do it all to be creative. You just have to begin.