We often treat creativity like it’s supposed to flow effortlessly—an endless stream of ideas and inspiration on demand. But in reality, it doesn’t always work that way. Some days, the spark just… disappears. The more you try to force it, the more stubbornly it hides.
I’ve been in that space—staring at a blank page, second-guessing everything, wondering if I’ve somehow “used up” my creativity. It’s frustrating, but it’s also normal. Creativity isn’t a constant—it comes in waves, and sometimes we need a little help catching the next one.
That’s where AI can come in—not to take over the process, but to support it. Think of it as a curious, always-available partner that can nudge you in new directions, ask interesting questions, and help you reconnect with your own ideas.
In this post, I want to share five gentle, playful ways I use AI when I feel stuck. These aren’t magic fixes, and they won’t replace your voice—but they just might help you find your way back to it.
1. Brainstorming Buddy (No Judgment Zone)
You know that early stage where you just need something to work with—anything? That’s exactly when AI can help. Tools like ChatGPT can quickly give you raw material to kickstart your imagination. The best part: there’s no judgment, no pressure, just ideas.
Here are five prompts I often use—and what each can help you achieve:
1. “List 10 surprising blog post ideas about self-care.”
- Helps you discover fresh angles on topics that may seem overdone.
2. “What are some creative metaphors to describe anxiety?”
- Pushes you beyond clichés, sparking vivid and original imagery.
3. “Write a funny slogan for a very boring product (like socks).”
- Great for warming up your sense of humor and playful thinking.
4. “Give me 5 weirdly inspirational quotes from household appliances.”
- Trains your mind to see creative potential in the mundane and unexpected.
5. “Suggest five unusual hobbies for a fantasy novel character.”
- Encourages creative storytelling by sparking unique character traits and backstories.
✨ Example Prompt & AI Response:
Let’s try the second prompt as an example—“What are some creative metaphors to describe anxiety?”
ChatGPT might respond:
“Anxiety is like a TV stuck between channels—endless static, never fully clear.”
“Anxiety is a popcorn kernel trapped in heat, waiting to burst.”
“Anxiety is a tangled headphone cable—you try to unwind it, but the knots get tighter.”
Even if none of these responses perfectly fit your final piece, each metaphor gives you a fresh way to think about and describe the familiar feeling, nudging your creativity into new territory.
2. Visual Prompts That Spark New Paths
Sometimes words alone aren’t enough—you need something visual to spark a new idea. AI image generators, like MidJourney or DALL·E, produce intriguing and unexpected visuals.
Here are five prompts to spark creativity:
“A hidden library discovered inside an ancient tree.”
Fantasy storytelling or magical world-building.
“A cozy cabin floating on a calm lake at sunset.”
Reflection, poetry, or themes of tranquility.
“An old typewriter sitting abandoned in a futuristic city.”
Thoughts on nostalgia versus progress.
“A mysterious door appearing in a desert.”
Adventure narratives or symbolic opportunities.
“An astronaut gardening peacefully on an alien planet.”
Hopefulness, contrasts, or fresh beginnings.
✨ Example Prompt & Image Response:
Using the prompt “A hidden library discovered inside an ancient tree,” I created the image above. When you look at it, consider questions like:
- Who might be the caretaker of this secret, ancient library?
- What magical or forgotten knowledge could be hidden here?
- Imagine the story of someone who stumbles upon this place—what happens next?
You can upload your AI-generated image to ChatGPT or ask MidJourney to describe it, turning visual impressions into narrative possibilities. This image might lead to a story about a curious young scholar who discovers forgotten magic—or perhaps a quiet reflection about the treasures hidden in unexpected places.
3. Revise and Remix What You Already Have
Sometimes, the hardest creative hurdle isn’t coming up with an idea—it’s figuring out how to refine or re-imagine what you’ve already started. AI can become your quick-thinking collaborator, remixing your work and helping you find fresh perspectives.
Here are five practical prompts to use with ChatGPT, each designed to breathe new life into your existing ideas:
1. “Rewrite this paragraph to sound more vivid and engaging.”
- Great for enhancing descriptions or storytelling moments that feel flat.
2. “Simplify this explanation to make it understandable for beginners.”
- Perfect for ensuring clarity and accessibility, especially in educational content.
3. “Rewrite this scene with heightened suspense and emotion.”
- Useful for fiction writers wanting to dial up the tension.
4. “Turn this factual paragraph into a short, engaging story.”
- Excellent for transforming dry or technical information into memorable content.
5. “Rewrite this text in a conversational, friendly tone.”
- Ideal for blog posts or social media content that needs to feel more relatable.
✨ Example in Action:
Let’s say you wrote this original paragraph:
“AI can help creatives by offering different perspectives, ideas, or versions of their original content. It provides ways to modify your draft and explore new creative options.”
Now, ask ChatGPT to apply the first prompt (“Rewrite this paragraph to sound more vivid and engaging”), and you might get something like:
“Think of AI as your creative partner—always ready to jump in with fresh eyes, new perspectives, and unexpected twists. It can take your draft and reshape it, remixing your ideas in ways you might never have considered, giving your creativity a burst of renewed energy.“
See how quickly AI can amplify the energy and clarity of your ideas? It’s less about handing off your creative work and more about gaining new insights that enrich your own creative process.
4. Ask Weird Questions, Get Weird (and Useful) Answers
Creativity often thrives when you let go of logic and seriousness for a moment. AI tools like ChatGPT are perfect for this kind of playful exploration. They don’t judge, don’t get embarrassed, and never question your weirdest ideas. Instead, they give you surprising, funny, and insightful responses that can unlock unexpected creativity.
Try these five playful prompts next time you’re creatively stuck:
1. “What would a traffic cone dream about?”
- Helps break away from seriousness, sparking whimsical storytelling.
2. “Write a letter of complaint from a coffee mug tired of being used.”
- Ideal for bringing humor and perspective-shifting into your writing.
3. “If my couch could talk, what would it say about me?”
- A fun way to explore character or self-reflection from unexpected angles.
4. “Describe a raindrop’s journey as if it was an epic adventure.”
- Encourages imaginative thinking and metaphorical storytelling.
5. “What career advice would a grumpy cat give humans?”
- Stimulates humor and might inspire playful insights or satire.
✨ Example Prompt & AI Response:
Let’s try the first prompt as an example—”What would a traffic cone dream about?”
AI might respond:
“Every night, the traffic cone dreamed of adventure. It saw itself guiding airplanes instead of cars, standing proudly on a runway beneath a sky filled with stars, illuminated by blinking lights and roaring engines. Sometimes it imagined being the star attraction at a circus, balancing daringly atop an elephant. But mostly, it dreamed of finally leaving the street corner, discovering the wider world beyond asphalt and construction signs.”
Even if these playful AI-generated ideas don’t directly appear in your final work, they can gently shake loose your imagination, breaking creative patterns and reminding you to embrace the joy of thinking differently.
5. Use AI as a Self-Coaching Tool
When you’re creatively blocked, sometimes answers aren’t what you need most—it’s asking the right questions. AI can serve as a surprisingly effective self-coaching companion, helping you rediscover clarity, motivation, and direction. Think of it as your thoughtful assistant, gently guiding you through moments of doubt.
Here are five coaching-style prompts you can use with ChatGPT when your creativity feels stuck:
1. “Ask me three questions to clarify the core purpose of my project.”
- Helps reconnect you with your deeper creative intentions.
2. “What are some insightful questions I should ask myself if I feel uncertain about my creative direction?”
- Ideal for moments when you’re overwhelmed by options.
3. “Suggest questions to help me discover why I’m procrastinating.”
- Supports reflection and helps you gently confront creative resistance.
4. “What three questions should I consider when deciding if an idea is worth pursuing?”
- Practical for prioritizing and refocusing your creative energy.
5. “Help me explore the emotional barriers holding me back creatively.”
- Encourages deeper self-awareness and gentle problem-solving.
✨ Example Prompt & AI Response:
Here’s how you might use the first prompt—”Ask me three questions to clarify the core purpose of my project”:
ChatGPT could respond:
“1. Who exactly do you hope your project will impact, and in what ways?
2. If someone remembered only one thing from your project, what would you hope that would be?
3. Why does this project matter deeply to you personally?”
These questions guide you to rediscover not only what your project is about but also why it matters to you, which can be exactly what you need when your creativity feels uncertain.
Final Thoughts: Let AI Nudge, but Keep Your Voice in Charge
Creativity isn’t linear, predictable, or something you can always summon on demand. It’s a process of exploration—often messy, sometimes frustrating, but always deeply personal. And while AI might not have feelings or understand your inner creative journey, it can gently guide you back when you’ve lost your way.
These five techniques aren’t magical cures—they’re playful nudges, gentle reminders, and thoughtful invitations to reconnect with your own imagination. They’re tools to help you pause, reflect, laugh, and rediscover why creating matters to you in the first place.
Remember, your creativity is uniquely yours. AI won’t—and shouldn’t—replace your voice. But with an open mind, it can become a surprising ally, helping you get unstuck, find new perspectives, and keep the creative spark alive.
I’d love to hear your experiences, too. Have you tried any of these methods, or do you have your own favorite ways of using AI for creative nudges? Share your thoughts below—I’m always curious!
(And yes, I’m fully prepared for Sven’s inevitable commentary on all of this. Brace yourselves—it’s coming!)
