Losing That Spark (And Finding It Again)
As we dive into the early days of 2025, it feels like everyone is buzzing with the idea of starting fresh. Whether it’s new goals, leaving instagram, making big changes, or putting that extra pressure on ourselves to make this the year—it’s a saying I think we can all relate to.
With all that in mind, I wanted to talk about what it means to reset creativity and share a few things I do when I find myself in a rut.
My Personal Experience with Creative Ruts
If creative ruts were a competition, I think I’d be crowned king. For years—hell, maybe even decades I’ve struggled with those moments (sometimes long stretches) when creativity feels completely out of reach. I often catch myself scrolling through other photographers’ work, thinking, How in the world did they capture that moment? Is it just about being out there all the time, camera in hand, wondering?
Don’t get me wrong I love photography. But more often than I’d like to admit, my camera spends more time collecting dust on my nightstand than it does capturing the world outside.
And then there’s that paralyzing feeling. You know, where I want to go out and shoot, but my brain starts throwing excuses at me. Oh, it’s raining out (actually, the perfect time for reflection shots). Or I’m just so tired (so go for a walk, wake up your body and mind). Did you expect this to be a post about my inner battle?
I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle. It’s human nature to fall in and out of things, and honestly, I think that’s a good thing. Going full throttle 100% of the time can kill your passion for something just as much as not doing it at all.
Over the years, though, I’ve started to recognize this pattern—and, more importantly, find ways to break out of it. Even if it’s just for a little while.
Go take shit photos without pressure.
The pressure is real, yo. The feeling of always needing to be sharing—or ABS (Always Be Sharing), as I’m coining it—is no joke in today’s society. Social media fatigue is real, and I’ll probably write more about that soon, but for now, let me just say this: sometimes it’s important to shoot without any intent of sharing.
Honestly, there are days I’ll grab my Ricoh, head out, and take dog shit photos just to click the shutter. And you know what? It’s freeing. The pressure of always looking for a banger or something worth submitting to an open call can suck the love out of the game. Shooting just for yourself without the audience, the algorithm, or the pressure is a reminder of why you started in the first place at least for me it is.
If you haven’t done it in a while, try it. Leave the pressure at home, grab your camera, and just shoot for the sake of shooting. You might be surprised by how good it feels.
Once you’ve let go of the pressure, the next step to resetting creatively is to change your surroundings.
Just go somewhere else.
Walk out the door, jump in the car, and drive to a place you’ve never been before—or revisit an old spot you haven’t seen in a while. I’m lucky that I travel for my job, which means I get to experience new things all the time. Sometimes that helps; other times, I fall back on the same excuse I mentioned earlier (I’m tired).
I remember last year, I was in the Philippines with my girlfriend, and I just couldn’t get into a flow. Nothing I looked at seemed worth wasting file space on. It sucked, especially since we’d just come from Thailand, where I was shooting 200+ photos a day like it was nothing. After a few days of frustration, we both decided to change it up and head to Japan early. That reset was everything. The moment we got to Japan, we both felt better, and I ended up capturing an image that might be one of my best ever to date.
But honestly, some of my best work has come from stepping out of my day to day, hopping on a flight, and wandering through a completely unfamiliar place for days. I get that not everyone can pack up and travel on a whim, which is why I suggest starting small. Drive somewhere new, hop on public transit, or even take a walk in a neighborhood you don’t usually explore. Sometimes, just being somewhere different, even close to home can shift your mindset for the better.
Slow down you fool! Wait what?!
I know what you’re thinking: I just told you to stop making excuses, go take bad photos to get out and try—or hell, I even said to get on a plane and fly far away—and now I’m saying to slow down?
Yes… I’m telling you to slow down.
When you’re constantly shooting, it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing it. Slowing down gives you the space to reflect, recharge, and rediscover what inspires you.
I’m convinced that not all creative ruts come from taking too few photos—sometimes, they come from taking too many. If you’re one of those people, try taking a break. Go visit an art museum, see a movie, flip through some photobooks, or even take a nap. I don’t know what works for you—only you do, but sometimes stepping away is the best way to come back refreshed.
Everyone’s reset looks different. Maybe for you, it’s a long walk, journaling, or just sitting quietly with your thoughts. The key is to step away without guilt and trust that when you come back, your creativity will be waiting for you.
Stepping away doesn’t mean giving up—it’s about avoiding burnout and giving yourself the space to reconnect with what inspires you.
Until next time
Look, creative ruts suck—I’ve been there more times than I can count. But the truth is, they’re just part of the process. Whether it’s stepping away to slow down, grabbing your camera to take some truly terrible photos, or changing your surroundings to shake things up, the important thing is to find what works for you.
Your creativity isn’t gone. It’s just waiting for you to meet it halfway. Sometimes, that means pushing through and creating something messy. Other times, it means taking a break, letting go of the pressure, and reminding yourself why you love what you do in the first place.
So, if you’re feeling stuck, try one of these resets. Or don’t. Honestly, just do what feels right. But whatever you do, don’t give up on your creativity—it’s still there, and it’s always worth coming back to.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading—I truly appreciate it! Writing and sharing these posts has been such an unexpected joy, and it’s all because of you. If you’d like to show some extra love, consider subscribing, upgrading to a paid subscription, or sharing this post with a friend. You can also find me on Instagram at @Lagomvisuals. Thanks for being here, and I can’t wait to share more with you soon!
Imagine we're still hanging out at our favorite cafe, cameras on the table, digging deeper into the conversation about photography. If you've enjoyed this little coffee break and feel like getting me a cortado with oat milk, hop over to my Buy Me a Coffee page. It genuinely keeps the conversation—and creativity—flowing. Cheers, friend!
Love the way you describe your “struggle”.
And love as well the first and last photographs.
I emerged from a long (loooooooong) creative rut recently and sometimes you also just need to wait it out. I know now that it WILL end and that is as comforting as anything. Great piece!