It happens to the best of us. Eventually, we all get stuck or stymied. Even the brightest among us falters or fails.

The real winners at life are those who learn to accept the ebbs and flows and roll with the punches — those who persevere anyway. But this can be hard. 

Because creativity often happens in fits and starts. It can feel a bit capricious. We need to embrace this creative life for what it is. We can't fight it, but we can manage it.

If you're not going to go absolutely insane, you'll want to learn a few tricks of the trade.

So what do you do when you find yourself in a creative funk? Here are 12 tips:

1. Realize this will not last forever. You aren't doomed. There is hope.
2. Take a break. At least one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
3. Eat something. Sometimes, we skip lunch and starve ourselves, because of work. Nourishment may be all you need to get started again.
4. Laugh. Even if you don't feel like it. This is reallygood for your health. (If you need prompting, watch this.)
5. Listen to music. Preferably, something without words. This triggers something in your soul that other music doesn't. I can't explain it, but just trust me. Listen to something classical or ambient. Let the music take you somewhere. (I suggest the Explosions in the Sky Pandora station.)
6. Pray or meditate. You've got your beliefs, and I've got mine. But there's something wonderful that happens when we still our minds and call upon God to intervene. If this is new to you, give it a try. Who knows how the Muse may grace you.
7. Get some exercise. Go for a run or work out for 30-60 minutes. When you're crunched for time, jumping jacks and pushups can do wonders.
8. Sing. It doesn't have to be good. Just move your voice up and down.
9. Call a friend. Make it someone you haven't talked to in awhile. Those we love most can bring out the best parts in us that we've forgotten.
10. Read. Not a blog or email. Those don't count right now. Go read a book or magazine. Even the newspaper. Unplug.
11. Drink water. Get some fluids in you. You could be dehydrated. (Most people usually are.)
12. Watch a movie. Take some time to reactivate your visual sensory capacity. There are some great films to be seen.

Those are some of the things I do when I felt creatively blocked or resisted.

What do you do? Share in the comments.

*Photo credit: martinak15 (Creative Commons)