Use micro-challenges to find your creative spark
Because creativity isn’t something you wait for, it’s something you build back in small, messy ways.
Who made these? I think we could be friends.
I talk to a lot of people who say some version of this:
“I used to be creative. But now I don’t know where to start.”
And under that sentence is usually a mix of things:
The pressure to do it right
The fear of looking foolish
The sheer exhaustion of adding one more thing to an already full plate
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong. But you may be asking the wrong question.
Instead of asking:
“How do I become creative again?”
Try asking:
“What tiny thing could I try that might wake something up?”
That’s where micro-challenges come in.
What’s a micro-challenge?
Micro-challenges are bite-sized creative experiments.
They don’t require a plan. Or a skill set. Or special supplies.
They’re not about output. They’re about activation.
Think of them like creative jumper cables. They give your imagination a little jolt, without the expectation to perform.
They’re short. They’re weird. They’re playful.
And if you choose the right ones?
They’ll help you start feeling curious again instead of creatively stuck.
Why they work (especially when you’ve been creatively frozen)
When you’ve been in a long season of survival mode, or you’ve convinced yourself you’re “not creative,” it’s hard to just jump into a big art project. Your brain will fight you on it. Your schedule will pretend not to allow it.
That’s why micro-challenges are so powerful. They sidestep the resistance because you’re not trying to make something amazing. You’re just trying something.
And that matters more than you think.
Because every time you do something creative without pressure, you're:
Proving to yourself that creativity can fit into your life
Rewiring the part of your brain that thinks “I’m not good at this.”
Building momentum through curiosity instead of perfectionism
Learning what actually lights you up (instead of what you should enjoy)
Read: How creative expression improves your mental health
What this looked like for me
When I was trying to reclaim my own creativity, I didn’t start with vision boards or art journaling.
I started by making ridiculous fake commercials in my head while I folded laundry.
Like:
“Introducing Sock Party™—the exclusive club for single socks who are tired of commitment but still want companionship.”
I started taking five weird photos on my walk every morning. I took pictures of shadows, cracked pavement, and leaves that looked like little creatures.
None of it was “art,” but it made me feel more like me. (You caught me. I’m weird.)
That was the spark I’d been looking for. And it came from small, silly challenges, not big, serious projects.
7 Micro-challenges to try this week
If you want to ease back into creativity, without signing up for anything overwhelming, try one (or all) of these:
Write a one-line journal entry using a metaphor. Instead of “I feel tired,” try “I’m a phone running on 4%, pretending I’ve got 50.”
Make a “mood collage” out of junk mail or screenshots. Don’t try to explain it. Just trust the glue stick (or your Pinterest board instincts).
Take a photo every day for 5 days, but only of objects that look like faces. Is it weird? Yes. Is it fun? Also yes.
Create a playlist for a movie scene that doesn’t exist. What would you play if you were walking away from an explosion in slow motion... after just quitting a job you hated?
Doodle your inner critic but give it ridiculous hair. Then give it a name. Mine is named Barbara. She’s very concerned about productivity and is honestly kind of rude.
Rename your desktop folders with dramatic flair. “Taxes” becomes “The Reckoning.” “Work stuff” becomes “Things I Do for Rent.” Instant upgrade.
Write a tiny letter to your childhood self about how you’re bringing creativity back. Doesn’t need to be deep. Could just say, “Hey, remember that weird story you wrote in grade 3? I’m starting again. For both of us.”
Read: How to make space in your week to experiment with creativity
Ready to start sparking something?
You don’t have to commit to being creative. You just have to try something creative and see what it stirs up.
What did you like to create when you were a child? Drop it in the comments.
New around here? Welcome.
At Intendify, we break life down into 12 key areas and offer guided paths to help you reflect, plan, and take action—so you can start living more intentionally, one step at a time.
It’s like having a life coach in your pocket, minus the awkward eye contact.
The Creativity life area can help you reconnect, experiment, and make space for joy. No talent or big projects required.