Why Your Creative Energy Fluctuates (And How to Work With It)

You know that feeling when things are just… *in flow?* When you’re (for some crazy reason) trusting your gut, even though outside pressures make you feel FOMO if you are?

Trusting that creative energy is magical — when you see others in different phases of their creativity, but being perfectly happy with where you are, right now.

But it doesn’t always feel that way. Sometimes, that pressure can get the best of you, and you can feel like your artistic spirit is broken. You feel forced to do one thing, even when your gut is telling you otherwise, simply because *the world is watching.*

There’s a special type of magic when an artist knows how to work with their creative energy through its different phases… and I’m going to outline each of those phases for you. 🌞🍂🌸❄️

Because the moon doesn’t apologize for its phases, right? You don’t need to apologize for your own rhythm, either! Creative energy flows differently for everyone, but understanding how to work with those different phases is so important — so let’s dive into it. 🧘‍♀️

The 4 Creative Seasons

We like to put this impossible energy on ourselves that creative energy is a constant stream, but it simply isn’t! Think of it more like a breath. It has natural inhales and exhales that give rhythm to your artistic life.

Your creative energy naturally ebbs and flows throughout cycles. In fact, as the seasons are changing right now, I wanted to put this into perspective of 4 different seasons.

I want to make it clear that these creative cycles aren’t bound by actual seasons or calendar dates — you might experience all 4 “seasons” in a single day! Or spend weeks in one phase before naturally transitioning to the next.

But that’s the thing about true productivity for artists; it’s not just about constant output. We’re here to respect these cycles. This way, we can honor and respect your energy, instead of feeling shame or guilt for having them. Seasons are inevitable, and so are your different creative energies!

It isn’t about constant output — it’s about respecting these natural cycles. Understanding these cycles helps you work with your energy instead of against it, leading to more sustainable and fulfilling creative practice.

Artist Note: The more we can accept and honor the seasons we’re in, the more we’re communicating with the universe. Want some more inspo on how universal magic works with your inspiration? Read this next → 10 Quotes About Magic for Spell-Casting Creatives

Winter: a Time for Hibernation & Gathering Inspiration ❄️

Winter is all about your creative energy recharging beneath the surface. 🍵

During this phase, you might feel your creative energy drawing inward. Instead of forcing yourself to produce, this is your time to fill your creative well.

It’s when you find yourself diving into books that spark your imagination, losing yourself in museums and artist dates, or simply observing the world around you with fresh eyes.

Maybe you have a new creative morning routine that’s full of restorative self-care.

Try stream-of-consciousness writing in the morning (a la the Artist’s Way), sketching random objects without judgment, or create mood boards that capture feelings you can’t quite put into words yet.

Simple activities like walking or cloud-watching can boost creativity naturally without forcing it during this time.

The super, super important part of this creative season is to release the pressure to create “finished” work. I bet your gut will tell you that it’s not ready yet, and you’re probably right. Your winter creative “season” is for collecting fragments, noting dreams, and letting your subconscious play with possibilities.

Your creativity needs these quiet periods to regenerate. Use this time to organize your creative space, archive past work, and clear mental clutter.

In fact, sometimes the best creative block solutions are realizing and accepting the current seasons you’re in and finding ways to naturally flow through it.

Spring: a Time for Sprouting Fresh Ideas & New-Flowing Energy 🌸

As your creative winter thaws, you’ll notice tiny sparks of inspiration beginning to flicker — yay! ✨

This is your creative spring – a time of gentle awakening and playful experimentation.

Collect artist inspiration tips that resonate with your unique style and process and start basking in those ideas that have been dormant during your winter phase that are starting to sprout.

Your spring “season” is your time to say “yes” to creative impulses without worrying about where they might lead. That’s because spring energy calls for exploration without expectation.

Try that weird art technique you’ve been curious about.

Mix mediums you’ve never combined before.

Take an online class in something completely outside your usual creative zone.

Right now, your goal isn’t about mastering but about awakening your creative curiosity and letting it lead you to new territory.

Your spring practice might look messy, and that’s perfect. Don’t worry about finishing anything yet. Spring is about opening up to possibilities and letting your creativity stretch its wings after winter’s rest.

Summer: a Time for Productivity and Energy 🌞

Summer arrives with a surge of creative energy that feels almost electric. ⚡️

Your summer is when ideas crystallize into clear vision, and your hands can barely keep up with your imagination. Your creative summer is precious — protect it fiercely! Your creative energies are usually strongest when you’re in the creative flow state of summer.

This is where you want to make sure your home studio is set up for minimizing distractions, establish clear boundaries with time-sucking obligations, and ride this wave of productivity while it lasts.

During your summer creative “season”, structure becomes your friend, specifically having a realistic schedule that maximizes your peak energy hours.

In order to not burn yourself out and preserve that beautiful creative energy, break larger projects into manageable chunks, and celebrate small wins along the way so you can keep that high energy flowing.

You might also want to make sure you have a “quick notes” system nearby to capture random ideas without derailing your current flow – they’ll be perfect seedlings for your next creative spring.

During this time, your enthusiasm is also contagious, making it the perfect time to connect with other creators, share works in progress, and engage with your creative community.

✨ Want more ways to spark the fire? Get inspired with some of my favorite quotes on creativity!

Autumn: a Time to Assess What Worked and What Didn’t 🍂

As your creative summer energy begins to mellow, fall arrives with an invitation to pause and reflect. This is your time to step back and look at what you’ve created with fresh eyes.

What patterns do you notice in your work?

Which experiments yielded unexpected treasures?

What techniques or approaches feel like they’re becoming signature elements of your style?

Fall is perfect for editing and refining. Whether you’re curating a portfolio, selecting pieces for a collection, or polishing a body of work, your discernment is heightened during this phase.

Create a simple evaluation system — maybe a set of questions to ask about each piece, or a rating system that helps you identify your strongest work.

You’ll also want to use this time to organize your creative space and archives. Sort through references and materials you’ve collected, keeping what still sparks ideas and releasing what no longer serves your vision.

Document your creative process and insights — they’ll be sooooo invaluable during future cycles!

Transform Your Creative Flow with Like-Minded Artists ♡

Understanding these creative cycles is just the first step in developing a sustainable and joyful creative practice.

And the absolute best part? This beautiful artistic journey doesn’t have to be a solo trip. I’m right there with you, ebbing and flowing through each season and trying my best to embrace the creative energy fluctuation.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for ways to nurture your creative spirit with intention and passion. Trust your rhythm, honor your phases, and watch your creativity flourish in ways you never expected. ♥️