Tips for Staying Creative When the Days Get Darker

by Audra Henderson

Every fall, I imagine I’ll feel wildly inspired to write – my favorite creative pastime. But somehow, as soon as the days start getting shorter and the light fades, my creativity slows to a tortoise’s pace. It’s as if the seasonal transition gently pulls the energy right out of my creative flow.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what actually helps me stay creative during this darker, slower season and practicing those things with intention.

Working as a producer is a deeply creative process – we just tend to channel that creativity into other people’s visions. That’s why it feels so essential to keep those creative muscles active, even when we’re not working on our own projects (and even when those personal ideas are quietly simmering on the back burner).

We often think we have to slow down this time of year. And, in many ways, that’s true. As comedian Scott Losse says, “Take that to-do list and rip it in half… There’s daylight, but it’s not usable… Your body is about to enter battery-saver mode.”

Nature models this rhythm for us. Trees shed their leaves, animals hibernate, and even the air feels quieter. Biologically, our bodies respond to the reduced daylight by producing more melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. It’s normal to feel more tired or introspective. But while nature encourages rest, that doesn’t mean our creative spark has to tim completely.

Instead, this season might just be about new ways to stay creative.

For me, the key word is flexibility. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for creative energy. Some days, I need sheer willpower to stick to habits like exercise when it’s cold and dark outside. But the science backs it up – cardio exercise increases blood flow to the brain, stimulating areas that play key roles in memory, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Even a brisk walk or workout can help unlock mental clarity and new ideas.

Other days, though, I lean fully into stillness. I give myself permission to rest – to curl up under an electric blanket, sit at my computer, and let my brain wander. Neuroscientist have found that creativity often flourishes in states of rest or “default mode,” when our minds wander freely and connect ideas in unexpected ways. Downtime isn’t necessarily wasted time.

And when neither willpower nor stillness seems to work, I remind myself to seek connection. My go-to strategy for rekindling inspiration is to do something fun, usually something social. Sometimes the best way to “inspire faith” in ourselves is by being lifted by others’ energy, creativity, or joy. Simply being around people who are excited about life can reawaken that same spark within us.

So what if the to-do list stays long? So what if things take a little more effort when it’s cold, gray, and drizzly (hello, Pacific Northwest)? Do it anyway – or don’t. Some days are for pushing forward; others are for letting go. The art lies in knowing which kind of day it is.

As the old song asks, “Are you having any fun? Are you getting any living? What good is what you’ve got, if you’re not having any fun?”

Maybe that’s the truest creative practice of all – to find joy, however small, in the rhythm of each season.