Creative Slumps, Rituals & Cozy Drinks
The white page might just be the scariest thing for any creative.
No matter what kind of art we make, we all know that feeling — staring at it, feeling stuck, unsure, and a little helpless.
I wanted to share a few gentle things that help me when I’m facing a creative slump or that blank page that seems impossible to fill.
Most of the time, these moments come when we’re tired, or under pressure. But sometimes they arrive without warning, catching us off guard.
As a full-time artist, I’ve tried to put little systems in place to soften those moments.
Soft Creative Bubble
One of the most important for me is having a creative safe space — something that has nothing to do with professional work or deadlines.
Every Saturday afternoon, for a couple of hours, I create just for me. No pressure. No need for it to be good. Sometimes I draw, sometimes I write.
Often, I journal — I let myself write about how I’m feeling, what I’m grateful for, or what’s been on my mind lately. It helps me reconnect with myself. Because at the heart of it, art is about that — expressing what’s inside. Even with professional work, it’s still us that we put onto the page.
Something else that makes a difference: turning creative time into a kind of ritual.
For me, it’s simple — soft lighting, cozy background sounds, and a warm, delicious drink nearby.
I like to begin with something small: maybe a few quick figure sketches, maybe looking at the composition of a painting I love, or writing down a dream from the night before.
Starting small, and letting it feel good, helps me slip back into creative flow.
I like to think of it as romanticizing the moment — making it special, just for me.
But what about when nothing works?
When the slump is deep, and even after all the rituals… the ideas still won’t come?
That’s when I step outside.
And I know — everyone says this. Go for a walk! But truly… a simple 45-minute walk can change everything.
The key is not to go out hoping the walk will fix you. Instead, go as a gift to yourself. A pause.
Bring your favorite drink, a little snack, put on music you love — or discover something new — and just… walk.
Breathe deeply. Look at the world around you. Notice the cat curled up under a car, the way the leaves dance in the wind. Let it be about noticing. About seeing the beauty in your ordinary, familiar world.
If you can, before you go out, quickly reschedule the rest of your day so you can give yourself this time, without guilt.
And when you come back? Don’t rush to create. Unless you feel inspired, let yourself ease back. Watch a movie that always lights your spark.
For me, that’s Pride and Prejudice (the Joe Wright version), Spiderverse, or lately, Kpop Hunters. I lose myself in their stories, their colors, their energy. I love flipping through their art books too.
Or I pick up a book that feels like coming home — for me, that’s anything by TJ Klune or Fourth Wing.
The goal isn’t to push. It’s to reconnect with what inspires you, to come back to your creative core.
Because the truth is: we spend so much time pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone in our work, always growing, always striving. Sometimes what we need most is to come back to what feels safe and familiar. To rest there, and remember why we create in the first place.
During a creative slump, we have to be even gentler with ourselves.
Our mental space is everything.
Yes, we can always improve, learn, and push further. But perfectionism can quietly hurt our creativity — because we’re so focused on where we’re not yet, that we forget to see how far we’ve come.
All these little practices — the rituals, the walks, the moments of inspiration — they’re about anchoring ourselves in now.
About noticing both our flaws and our strengths.
About being present with our process, and kind to the person we are while we’re growing.
And if none of it works right away?
That’s okay. Keep going for walks. Keep watching the movies that make you feel alive. Rest. Be with people you love. Sleep.
Even the richest soil needs to rest between seasons, so that when the seeds come, it’s ready to help them grow.
🌼 Creative Fuel: A Few of My Favorite Cozy Drinks
Sometimes, all we need to keep going is a little warmth — something sweet and slow that makes us feel taken care of.
Here are some of my favorite comforting drinks to sip on during rainy days, gentle creative rituals, or slow afternoons when the spark feels a little distant.
☕ Simplified Chai Latte
Steep three black tea bags in a cup with 1/4 boiling water. In 2/4 of milk, mix 1 spoon of ginger, 2 spoons of cinnamon, and a small spoon of nutmeg. Pour the milk into your tea and enjoy — spicy, soothing, and just right.
🍯 Caramel Coffee Latte
Brew an espresso and pour it into your favorite mug. In a closable jar, combine 1–2 small spoons of caramel sauce with milk, then shake it well. Pour it over the coffee for a sweet, creamy treat.
✨ Iced version: Add ice to your cup before pouring in the caramel milk and espresso.
🍫 Homemade Hot Chocolate
In a small pot, melt 4 bars of dark chocolate with a splash of milk. Then add 2 cups of milk, half a packet of vanilla sugar, 1 small spoon of ginger, 2 spoons of cinnamon, and 1/3 spoon of nutmeg. Stir slowly and pour into your coziest mug. Makes 2–3 indulgent cups.
🌙 Mocha for Slow Mornings
Follow the hot chocolate recipe, but stir in 2 shots of espresso. You’ll get 3–4 comforting cups with a gentle caffeine kick.
🍊 Spiced Hot Orange Juice (from Alsace, with love)
This one feels like home. Press your own oranges if you can. In a pot, warm 3–4 cups of orange juice with 3 spoons of cinnamon, 2 spoons of ginger, 1 spoon of nutmeg, and 1/2 spoon of anise or star anise (badiane).
Fragrant, grounding, and perfect for winter mornings or post-walk reflections.
🌿 So here’s your little gentle reminder, from me to you:
Take your days slower. Breathe deeper. Make space for rest, for spontaneity, for iced drinks and inspirations when you’re facing creative slumps.
I hope these tips will help you, thank you so much for reading !
Warmly,
Emeline