How to Stay Creative When Life Gets Busy

Life moves fast. Between work, family, and personal responsibilities, creativity often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. But as someone who thrives on creative expression, I’ve realized that staying creative isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment—it’s about making space for it in ways that fit into my busy life.

Here’s how I keep my creativity alive, even when life gets overwhelming.

Using Speech-to-Text for Writing and Brainstorming

One of my favorite creativity hacks is using speech-to-text for writing blog posts, scripts, or any content that requires a flow of ideas. Instead of struggling to get my thoughts down on paper, I simply speak into my iPad, letting it transcribe my words in real time.

This method has been a game-changer. My mind moves a mile a minute, and I’ve found that speaking my thoughts is the best way to get everything out in an orderly fashion. Writing can slow me down, but talking allows my ideas to flow freely.

I primarily use this technique for brain dumping—pouring out everything in my mind, especially when I feel creatively blocked. Sometimes, I don’t even know exactly what I want to say, but just speaking helps me uncover my main ideas. Later, I refine my thoughts, extracting key points and organizing them using an AI structuring tool.

If you struggle with creative burnout or writer’s block, I highly recommend trying speech-to-text. It’s a great way to declutter your mind and capture ideas before they fade away.

Scheduling Free Time in Inspiring Locations

Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. When I spend too much time indoors, I feel drained and uninspired. That’s why I make it a habit to work in different environments that spark creativity.

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of my work at parks, beaches, and bookstores rather than staying inside. Each location serves a different purpose for my creative process:

Coffee Shops: Perfect for productivity. If I need to structure a script, edit a video, or finalize a project, I go here. The background noise helps me focus, and I get into a flow state more easily.
Beaches and Parks: These are my brainstorming spaces. When I hear waves crashing or birds chirping, my mind relaxes, allowing ideas to flow naturally.
Bookstores: There’s something about being surrounded by books that fuels my creativity, especially when I’m working on writing-heavy projects.
The Shower: It might sound funny, but some of my best ideas come to me while I’m showering! I try to capture those fleeting moments of inspiration as soon as I step out.

Filming content in these locations also adds an extra layer of creativity. Sometimes, I shoot B-roll without a specific idea in mind—just because something catches my eye. Later, I incorporate it into my projects in unexpected ways.

Reigniting Creativity by Wanting It

The most important key to staying creative when busy is actually wanting to be creative.

After graduating in 2022, my focus shifted entirely to building my career. Stability became my priority, and I felt like I had to put creativity aside to establish myself professionally. During that time, I unknowingly shut off my creative brain—I was so focused on thriving in my career that I neglected the artistic side of myself.

Now that I feel more stable, I realize how much I miss the creative energy that once fueled me. I’ve had a big push to get back to it, but it’s not just about making time—it’s about actively seeking inspiration.

When you want to be creative, you start noticing the small, beautiful details in everyday life. The way sunlight hits a building, the rhythm of conversations, the emotions certain songs evoke—creativity is everywhere. We just have to be open to seeing it.

Making Unenjoyable Tasks Easier

Let’s be real—there are parts of every creative process that feel like a chore. Whether it’s editing, formatting, or dealing with technical details, there are always tasks that don’t excite us but are necessary to achieve what we love.

One of the best ways to stay creative is to identify the tasks you dislike and find ways to make them easier. For me, this means:

Using automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks.
Batching similar tasks so I don’t have to constantly switch between creative and technical work.
Breaking projects into smaller steps so overwhelming tasks feel manageable.

When you minimize the friction in your process, you free up more time and energy for the creative aspects that truly bring you joy.

Final Thoughts

Staying creative when life gets busy isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about making space for it. Whether it’s using speech-to-text for brainstorming, working in inspiring locations, reigniting your passion for creativity, or optimizing your workflow, there are always ways to keep creativity alive.

The key is to be intentional. Pay attention to what works for you, create routines that support your creativity, and most importantly, never stop looking for inspiration in the world around you.

How do you stay creative when life gets busy? Let’s chat in the comments!