How to Get Out of a Creative Rut
Spectral Path by Katsu.
The essence of a good story, according to Campbell Walker, isn’t necessarily a wild and exciting plot. To him, it’s the transformation from a "before" to an "after"—a personal breakthrough that feeds our collective well of hope. This is the story he often shares on his popular YouTube channel, Struthless, where his raw creative energy and resonant life experiences inspire over 1 million subscribers to get out of their heads and make progress in their creative pursuits.
Before his transformation, Campbell found himself stuck, caught in the grips of an isolated pandemic, victim to what he calls the "Rules of the Overly Positive." You know the ones—“be grateful for what you have,” “start a new project,” “bake bread,” “work out from home.” It was a moment in history when the world seemed to demand productivity, even while everything felt chaotic and unpredictable.
Instead of feeling motivated, Campbell was overwhelmed. “I have no immediate threat of violence,” he thought, “yet I still feel paralyzed by all this dread of the unknown, unable to make forward progress.”
These feelings of hopelessness are all too familiar. As violence, polarization, and economic recession bombard our news feeds, guilt can creep in. For many of us, there’s a nagging voice asking: “What’s my role in all of this?” It’s easy to spiral, especially when facing personal challenges like job searching or figuring out what direction to take in life. I’ve personally spent a lot of time blaming myself for having resources but not being able to figure it all out.
So, how did Campbell get from feeling sad on the couch to creating meaningful content again? Let’s dive into his small but impactful transformation—and how it can help us break out of our own ruts.
Steps to Getting Out of a Rut
1. Forgive Yourself
It’s okay to not feel productive all the time. Campbell reminds us that we’re looking at the world through a distorted lens—the internet. Online, extreme voices tend to dominate, whether they’re controversial, overly positive, or just plain scary. These voices skew how we feel about ourselves. It’s no wonder you may not be "feeling it." Cut yourself some slack, and take a deep breath.
2. Declutter Your Head
Think of your motivation like a pilot light inside your head. It’s there, waiting to ignite into a full-blown flame, but sometimes clutter gets in the way. Whether it’s big existential thoughts like, "What should I do with my life?" or embarrassing moments that haunt you at night, these thoughts can paralyze you.
Campbell suggests getting those scribbles out of your head and onto paper. This clears the clutter and helps you get out of your own way.
3. Give It a Reason
To turn that pilot light into a bonfire, you need a reason to act. Campbell offers a simple step-by-step process to find your "why." Here’s an example with my own thoughts:
Task: Write a blog post.
Why:
I want to create resources for people to learn on their own terms, so they can feel a sense of agency and creative freedom.
I’d like to build a body of work that reflects my interests and community.
I want to articulate authentic stories amidst a sea of hyperbole in the media.
For tasks that feel like they’re just for money, it can be harder to find the "why." But it’s essential. One example: “One day, I’ll have the financial freedom to travel, eat quality food, and be generous with my resources.” If that’s not enough, you can even tap into darker motivations, like proving a critic or bully wrong.
4. Lower the Barrier to Entry
Break your tasks down into small, manageable steps. Campbell suggests this process to make goals less intimidating:
To-Do: Write a blog post.
Why: To help people find creative freedom and agency.
Steps:
Watch a video.
Summarize key points.
Answer related prompts.
Edit the copy.
Publish.
He also applies the "70% rule": You don’t have to aim for perfection. If the task feels 70% ready, it’s more accessible and less intimidating.
5. Action Before Motivation
Waiting for inspiration is a myth. Motivation often follows action. Start by setting yourself up—get the book and pen out, or turn on the camera if you’re a video creator. The first five minutes might be rough, but soon the momentum will carry you forward.
Whenever you get stuck, I recommend watching Campbell's videos. His insights help walk you through the rut and onto the other side. And if you’re looking for more, his book Your Head is a Houseboat is available now.
After all, progress is just the accumulation of small steps in the right direction.
