The Power of Grace in Overcoming Creative Block

By: Tia Schmidt

As teachers, artists, creatives, or choreographers, we’ve all faced the dreaded "creative block." Fun, right? Not really. It can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're working against a deadline. The pressure can be overwhelming, and it often leads to emotional stress, making you question your abilities, your creativity, and even your worth as an artist.

But here’s the truth: creative block doesn’t stem from a lack of talent or skill. More often than not, it’s a signal from your mind telling you to pause, reset, and recalculate. Just like when your brain protects you by blocking out trauma or when you need time to process a big decision, creative block can be seen as a protective mechanism—allowing you to process all the factors involved before diving back into your work.

I've started to embrace this idea. When I hit a creative block, I remind myself to give myself grace. There’s a process to everything, and sometimes the block is just my mind taking a moment to assess all the elements before they come together naturally. It’s actually part of the creative process, helping me align my work with my intended message.

So, if you’re putting in the effort but still struggling, try to reframe creative block as the first step in setting your intentions—not as a failure to create. This shift in mindset can help you tap into a deeper level of creative thinking. And by showing grace to yourself, you can grow as an artist while navigating the ups and downs of the creative process.

Remember: it’s all a process. GRACE. PROCESS. INTENTION.

Process (Noun): a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular result.
Grace (Noun): courteous goodwill.
Intentions (Noun): things intended; a plan or aim.