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What do you do to keep your creative juice flowing after working on mundane work?

over 4 years ago from , UXE at Google | Ex-Adobe | National Institute of Design

We all work 9to5 or freelance or something else; for long working hours, same project, sometime mundane work, right? Then how you keep your self creative? I personally make small side project on weekend and learn something to keep my creative juices flowing. *What do you do? *

17 comments

  • Shane McCleeryShane McCleery, over 4 years ago

    Make tobacco pipes in my shop.

    6 points
  • John Williams, over 4 years ago

    I recently discovered playing music is a nice alternative to design. It's just as complex and creative as ux/visual design.

    3 points
  • Ryan MackRyan Mack, over 4 years ago

    Woodworking is a whole new world of craft and analysis. Highly recommend. 10/10

    3 points
    • Calum Clark, over 4 years ago

      Odd that there's so much woodworking in this thread already, but a few years ago I took up spoon carving and it's a very pleasant counterpart to being on a keyboard all day.

      I think in general I'd recommend finding a creative hobby that's more tactile, physical, etc. Something that doesn't involve looking at a screen. Maybe that's carving, maybe that's sewing, doesn't really matter as long as you're using your hands to create a physical object.

      2 points
  • James Young, over 4 years ago

    I sit in 12-15 meetings a day, I can't wait to get back to being creative.

    2 points
    • Mike StevensonMike Stevenson, over 4 years ago

      When Im in meetings I have such a hard time going BACK to being creative. Especially if I was in the zone beforehand.

      0 points
  • Waldy Przybyslawski, over 4 years ago

    Cooking. I have some favorite recipes that I 'iterate' on frequently. Also going outside and just being in nature. I work in the city and live in the city so seeing more trees and less concrete for a day usually does the trick.

    1 point
  • Andy McErleanAndy McErlean, over 4 years ago

    A couple years ago I started a band that I'm sort of the CEO of. From writing the music, to marketing, to designing the site, I've used it as my main creative outlet. It's hands down the thing I've been most passionate about.

    1 point
  • Scott ThomasScott Thomas, over 4 years ago

    Endless side projects. I mainly garden, bake, follow baseball, or price out /plan trips. Sometimes I pick up very simple freelance work that I can be creative without needing too much energy.

    1 point
  • Svanhild EggeSvanhild Egge, over 4 years ago

    I've recently started knitting as a type of creative output outside of the digital world on the screen. It's been surprisingly fun and enjoyable!

    1 point
  • Rishi Luchun, over 4 years ago

    I do illustrations/doodles and mandalas to break the norm and keep my sanity

    1 point
  • Thomas Michael SemmlerThomas Michael Semmler, over 4 years ago

    I work on my music.

    1 point
  • Jesse PenicoJesse Penico, over 4 years ago

    Photography + using said photography in side design projects, such as album art and posters

    1 point
  • Nathan Bowser, over 4 years ago

    Lots of walking meetings. When you need creativity, you've got to encounter the world and have reactions to it.

    1 point
  • Lucas DebelderLucas Debelder, over 4 years ago

    I (try) to work on my own car. It's very satisfying after you finally manage to fix that one thing, also it saves a shit ton of $$ if you learn to do it yourself!

    0 points
  • Clare Haynes, over 4 years ago

    Multiple home projects, mostly offline - I try to make things with my hands which is a welcomed break from the keyboard. Projects include; painting, drawing, sewing, diy, gardening and most recently I started converting a van into a camper.

    0 points