Use it or Lose it

January 3, 2025


When it comes to creativity, many people are plagued by the fear that they will run out of ideas, that their well of inspiration will dry up after a certain point. You’ve probably heard someone say, “I don’t know how you keep coming up with ideas,” or even thought it yourself. But the truth is, creativity doesn’t deplete the more you use it—it grows, expands, and multiplies the more you tap into it.

Creativity is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. Conversely, when you stop exercising it, it atrophies. If you don’t use your creative muscle, you might find that it becomes harder and harder to tap into your natural ability to create.

Infinite Nature of Creativity

At its core, creativity isn’t a limited resource. Unlike physical resources that can run out—like oil, water, or time—creativity is born from an internal, limitless well that expands the more we draw from it. The more you create, the more ideas will come to you. This is because the act of creating stimulates your brain, connecting different thoughts, experiences, and emotions in new ways.

Think about some of the world’s greatest artists, writers, and inventors. Do you think they became more creative as they “ran out of ideas”? Absolutely not. The more they engaged with their work, the more their minds found new avenues of exploration. The more you create, the more connections your brain makes, and the easier it becomes to generate new ideas.

Why Creativity Multiplies

Exposure to New Experiences: When you create, you’re often engaging with new experiences—whether it's learning new techniques, collaborating with others, or experimenting with unfamiliar mediums. Each new experience adds layers to your understanding and spawns more ideas.

The Power of Flow: Creative work often brings us into a state of flow, that magical place where time seems to melt away and the work comes easily. The more time you spend in this state, the more your brain becomes conditioned to enter it quickly and effortlessly. This leads to an exponential increase in productivity and idea generation.

Building on Past Work: Every creation is built on the foundation of previous experiences. When you create regularly, you constantly have something to build on, and this compounding effect accelerates the growth of your creativity. You don’t start from scratch each time—you’re working from an evolving pool of knowledge and skill.

Increased Confidence: The more you create, the more confident you become in your abilities. This confidence is a powerful tool—it gives you the courage to explore more daring ideas, take risks, and venture into uncharted creative territory. As you create, your capacity to create grows.

Creativity Diminishes Without Use

On the flip side, if you don't create, if you ignore that urge or put it off, your creative abilities begin to stagnate. This is not to say that you lose creativity entirely, but it becomes harder to access. Just as muscles weaken without exercise, the pathways in your brain that foster creativity become less active and harder to trigger.

When you avoid creativity, the fear of not being "good enough" or failing often takes over. The longer you go without creating, the more your inner critic grows louder, and the harder it becomes to silence it. This self-doubt creates a vicious cycle where the fear of not being able to create prevents you from doing it in the first place.

The good news is that, like riding a bike, you can always get back into the groove. If you’ve been neglecting your creativity, the first step is simply to start again, even if it's small. Creativity doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing effort. Start small, you'll quickly rediscover the spark that comes with creation.

Keep Your Creativity Flowing

Set Time Aside for Creative Practice: Even if you don’t have a grand idea, make space in your day to create. Consistency is key. The more you make time for creativity, the easier it becomes to keep the flow going.

Collaborate and Share Ideas: Creativity thrives when we share our thoughts with others. Collaborating with people from different backgrounds or skill sets can open up new ways of thinking and spark fresh ideas. Don’t isolate yourself—be open to feedback and different perspectives.

Push Through Creative Blocks: Every creative person experiences blocks. The key is not to wait for inspiration to magically strike, but to keep working through the resistance. Even creating something imperfect can lead to breakthroughs.

Experiment and Take Risks: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Trying new techniques or exploring unfamiliar topics can unlock new levels of creativity you didn’t know you had. Innovation often comes from the willingness to fail and learn along the way.

Let Go of Perfectionism: Often, we avoid creating because we fear our work won’t be “good enough.” The truth is, creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about expression. Let go of the need to be perfect, and simply enjoy the process of creation.

Create More, Become More

Creativity isn’t a limited resource—it’s a living, breathing energy that grows and expands the more you engage with it. The key is consistency. The more you create, the more your creativity will multiply. And the more you create, the more you will discover not only about your craft but also about yourself.

The next time you feel like your creativity is running out, remember this: The more you create, the more you’ll have to create. Creativity doesn’t run out. It grows. And if you don’t use it? Well, you’ll start to lose it—but only temporarily. The good news is, creativity is always waiting for you to dive back in. So go ahead—create. The possibilities are endless.