We often find ourselves creating the same floral designs repeatedly out of boredom, lack of inspiration, fear and so on. In fact, one of the top questions I’m asked is about how to overcome creative block as a floral designer. 

Creativity requires vulnerability, so it isn’t surprising that stepping out of our creative comfort zones can be hard, SCARY, and even paralyzing. Even just asking about how to overcome creative block as a floral designer can feel vulnerable. However, there’s absolutely no shame in having a creative block; it happens to all of us! 

When you’re feeling stuck, here are my top tips to overcome creative block:

5 Steps on How to Overcome Creative Block as a Floral Designer

1. Sleep on it

My top recommendation on how to overcome creative block as a floral designer is: GET SOME SLEEP! I’m serious! As florists, self-care is usually one of the first things to go when we have a lot on our plates. Without proper sleep, we’re way more likely to struggle to feel inspired, not to mention feeling more irritable, anxious, and overwhelmed…or is that just me?

Don’t just take it from me; a Harvard study found that getting good sleep helps us process new information and impacts our moods, judgment, and perceptions. So, the better sleep you get, the more capacity you’ll likely have for creativity!

2. Take the pressure off yourself to create something “good” or “perfect”

Like I mentioned earlier, creativity is sooo vulnerable! We are putting our hearts into our work and probably some of our identity, too. Creative block can feel like a failure, because we should be able to just create non-stop all the time, right? This is not realistic!

If you’re struggling with how to overcome creative block as a floral designer, you need to know that it’s okay to be imperfect. It’s okay to try and fail. It’s okay to not be good at everything all the time! Give yourself permission to let go of the expectations you’ve put on yourself in this area. Sometimes, this pressure is the very thing that is keeping us stuck and uninspired. 

3. Create for fun, and don’t give up!

Let yourself have fun with floral design. Just get started and experiment. This isn’t going to be your best work and it might not even be good. That’s okay! The whole point of experimentation is that you’re trying something new and probably won’t get it exactly right the first time. No matter what, don’t give up; keep designing until you’ve completed your arrangement. This tip on how to overcome creative block will give you the jumpstart you need to get going and see what inspiration flows from there.

4. Change things up: go for a walk or a drive

Going for a walk or a drive is another great tool when you’re struggling to figure out how to overcome creative block. Stanford researchers even found that walking can increase our creative output by up to 60 percent! So, get out of your normal environment, and let the scenery around you inspire you. You’re way more apt to find some new floral color palettes out there, too. There have been so many times I’ve walked or driven by a wild shrub set against a uniquely colored backdrop, and BAM, there was the inspiration I’d been lacking. 

5. Exploring other creative mediums

When you’re trying to figure out how to overcome creative block as a floral designer, you don’t have to just learn from the general rules or floristry or from other florists. Along with gaining inspiration from the world around you, explore other creative mediums, such as film, paintings, sculpture, photography, and fashion. You might find a concept, structure or shape, color palette, or tool that will spark an idea or vision in you. No matter the creative discipline, find what moves you, and start there! 

Now That You Know How to Overcome Creative Block

These recommendations on how to overcome creative block as a floral designer will have you back in business in no time. Take the pressure off yourself, have some fun, and look for floral inspiration in new places. You’re an amazing floral designer, and you’ve got this!

Do you have a favorite tip on how to overcome creative block as a floral designer? Leave a comment; I’d love to hear it!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or licenses health care provider. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended nor otherwise implied to be medical advice or a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.

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