Creativity is sometimes a struggle. One moment, you are bursting with ideas, ready to fill pages, next, you are staring at a blank screen, paralyzed by self-doubt and overthinking every creative choice. Every writer, artist, and creator faces hurdles that keep them from doing what they love. The trick is not to avoid these challenges but to turn them into fuel for your work. Here are ten common creative roadblocks and how to alchemize them into art.

1. Writer’s Block

How It Holds You Back:

Writer’s block makes creativity feel like an impossible task. It convinces you that your ideas have dried up, that nothing you write is worth putting down, and that you will never create again. 

How to Transform It:

Instead of fighting writer’s block, lean into it. Write badly on purpose. Free-write nonsense, scribble ideas that don’t make sense, or describe something mundane. Creativity is like a muscle, where it works best when it’s in motion. Once you start, the block loses its grip, and the words begin to flow again.

2. Imposter Syndrome

How It Holds You Back:

Imposter syndrome whispers that you are not talented enough, that everyone else is better than you, and that you do not belong in the creative world. It makes you doubt every word you put down.

How to Transform It:

Instead of seeing imposter syndrome as proof of your failure, see it as proof that you care. Every great artist has felt like a fraud at some point. The key is to create anyway. Remind yourself that the act of making art is what defines an artist, not external validation.

Bonus tip: Amie McNee views imposter syndrome as a sign you are leveling up. If suddenly you’re in rooms that feel new and scary and like you don’t belong, it just may be a sign that you are stepping into a new and exciting chapter. Embrace the discomfort as a sign of growth!

Read the full profile of Inspired to Write’s Amie McNee, author of We Need Your Art >>

3. Perfectionism

How It Holds You Back:

Perfectionism convinces you that your work has to be flawless in order to be valid, leading to endless revisions, procrastination, and unfinished projects.

How to Transform It:

Perfectionism is not about high standards, it is about fear. Changing your mindset from creating something “perfect” to creating something “complete” will allow you room to be more creative and to reach the finish line. Give yourself permission to write an awful first draft. Art is made in the editing process, not in the pursuit of perfection.

4. Self-Doubt

How It Holds You Back:

Self-doubt tells you that your ideas are unoriginal, your voice is not strong enough, and that nobody will care about your work. 

How to Transform It:

Turn self-doubt into a tool for growth. Instead of letting it paralyze you, use it to ask questions like what am I afraid of? How can I push past this? The best way to silence self-doubt is to prove it wrong by creating anyway.

5. Overthinking

How It Holds You Back:

You have an idea but spend so much time analyzing and second-guessing that you never actually start. Every decision feels overwhelming.

How to Transform It:

Creativity is best when you have momentum. Give yourself a time limit. Write a rough outline in ten minutes. Sketch an idea in five. Stop over researching and under-creating. Set a deadline and commit to finishing, even if it is messy. Action breaks the overthinking cycle.

6. Fear of Failure

How It Holds You Back:

Fear of failure makes you hesitant to take creative risks. You worry that your work will not be good enough, so you never put it out into the world.

How to Transform It:

Reframe failure as a necessary step in the creative process. Every “bad” piece you create is a stepping stone to something better. The only true failure is never trying at all.

7. Comparing Yourself to Others

How It Holds You Back:

You see other writers succeeding, getting published, or receiving praise, and you wonder why you even bother. Your work will never measure up, right?

How to Transform It:

Use comparison as inspiration instead of discouragement. Study the artists you admire and what you like about their work. Learn from them, but do not let their success take away from your own writing journey. There is room for every voice in the writing world, including yours.

8. Lack of Time

How It Holds You Back:

Between work, responsibilities, and life’s chaos, it can sometimes feel impossible to carve out time to create.

How to Transform It:

You do not need massive blocks of time to create. Fifteen minutes a day adds up. Make creativity a priority by scheduling it like an appointment. Write in your phone notes app when you get a good idea or bring around a small notepad and pen. Even small, consistent efforts lead to big results.

9. Burnout

How It Holds You Back:

When you push yourself too hard without rest, your creativity dries up. Burnout makes everything feel overwhelming, and could lead you to avoiding your writing entirely. 

How to Transform It:

Rest is an important part of the creative process. Step away from your work, recharge, and do some activities that nourish your mind like reading, walking, or simply doing nothing. Creativity works best when you give it space to breathe.

10. Waiting for Inspiration

How It Holds You Back:

You tell yourself that you will write when inspiration strikes, but days, weeks, or months pass, and you are still waiting for that perfect idea.

How to Transform It:

Inspiration is not a magical force that just appears out of nowhere, it is something that you need to generate. Show up even when you do not feel inspired. Creativity often sparks in the act of doing, not in waiting. Start writing, even if you have no idea, and more often than not, you will get some of your best ideas midway through your writing session. 

The barriers to creativity are not signs that you are not meant to create, they are simply part of the process. Every artist struggles with these challenges. The difference between those who create and those who do not is the willingness to push through. Transform your obstacles into stepping stones, and let them fuel your art and writing. The world needs your voice, your vision, and your creativity. Do not let anything keep you from bringing it to life.