Grief alters the rhythm of life, making even familiar tasks feel foreign. Creativity, which may have once felt natural, can become distant or even painful. There is no right or wrong way to engage with creativity in grief – only what feels true in the moment.
Normalise the fact that grief may put creativity out of reach for a period of time. It’s OK to be in a season where grief stifles your creativity. If this is the case, reaching out for help during grieving periods can be beneficial. If you’re based in the US, text CREATE to 741741 for free, 24/7, confidential support from a trained volunteer Crisis Counsellor at Crisis Text Line.
For others, creativity becomes an anchor, a way to express the inexpressible. This guide offers gentle ways to hold space for creativity while honouring grief, without pressure or expectation.
Text CREATE to 741741 for free, 24/7, confidential support from a trained volunteer Crisis Counsellor at Crisis Text Line.
Honouring your energy and capacity
Grief is not linear. Some days, you may feel like creating; other days, even small tasks feel insurmountable. Let yourself move at the pace grief allows. The pressure to always be creating can be overwhelming – especially for creators who rely on their work for income.
Patreon’s State of Create report found that 75% of creators feel platforms penalise them for taking breaks, and 78% say burnout affects their motivation to create. But creativity isn’t an assembly line. If grief makes creating impossible right now, trust that stepping away doesn’t mean you’re losing your audience – your core fans will still be there when you’re ready. Rest is not a failure; it’s part of the creative process.
- If creative work feels unreachable, consider sitting with creativity rather than making – reading old diary entries, revisiting unfinished projects or listening to music that resonates
- If the idea of creating feels overwhelming, lower the threshold – jotting down a thought, humming a melody or shaping clay without purpose is still an act of creativity
- If grief makes structured work feel impossible, try breaking it into smaller, more manageable pieces – even five-minute creative sessions can help ease back into the process
Letting creativity hold your grief
If it feels possible, creativity can be a quiet container for emotions that feel too heavy to carry alone.
- Words: A diary, poetry or even fragmented sentences can give form to emotions that feel shapeless
- Sound: Music – whether playing, singing or simply listening – can provide solace without requiring explanation
- Visuals: Drawing, painting or photography can externalise grief in ways that words cannot
If these expressions feel like too much, even witnessing creativity – watching films, reading poetry, listening to music – can be a way of engaging without pressure. Social media platforms often prioritise what’s most engaging in the moment, making it harder for creators to sustain meaningful relationships with their audiences. In fact, 53% of creators say it’s harder to reach their followers now than five years ago. Rather than pushing yourself to create just to stay visible, this may be a time to lean on your core fans – those who deeply connect with your work and will be there even if your creative output slows down.
Gentle tip: If full creative projects feel overwhelming, consider starting with fragments – single sentences, loose sketches or brief audio recordings.
Creating without direction or expectation
Not all creative acts need to be productive or lead to a finished product. Sometimes, creating is simply an act of being present.
- Writing letters to a lost loved one (even if they remain unsent)
- Keeping a grief journal with no obligation to reread it
- Creating small rituals – lighting a candle, listening to a favourite song, sketching a memory – that connect creativity with remembrance
If structured creativity feels difficult, consider shifting to another form of expression – for example, if writing feels too heavy, try colour, movement or instrumental music.
Making space for support and rest
Creativity does not have to be a solitary act. Surrounding yourself with others – whether in grief spaces or creative circles – can be a source of comfort.
- Connect with grief support groups
- Seek therapy as a long-term solution or, if you’re based in the US, text CREATE to 741741 for immediate, free, 24/7, confidential support from a trained volunteer Crisis Counsellor at Crisis Text Line
- Let loved ones hold space for you, even if just in silence
If grief is overwhelming, consider engaging with creativity passively – spending time with art, books or music without the expectation to create yourself.
Moving forward with gentle intention
Grief does not have a timeline, and neither does creativity. There will be days when creating feels distant, and others when it feels like the only way to breathe. Both are OK.
- If creativity is a source of comfort, let it return in its own time – whether through small, quiet acts or more structured work
- If it feels inaccessible, trust that it is not gone forever – creativity, like grief, shifts and evolves
- If creating feels like a burden, set it aside. Rest is also an act of healing
Above all, be kind to yourself. This is a journey, not a deadline.