Artist Rituals: How I Trick Myself into Feeling Creative

Let’s talk about something we artists rarely discuss out loud (probably because we don’t want to sound completely insane): artist rituals. Yes, those little weird things we do to ignite that creative spark, get into the zone, and convince ourselves that we are, in fact, creative geniuses just waiting for the magic to happen. Spoiler alert: the magic is 90% caffeine and mind games.

Rituals work—most of the time. So, here’s a peek behind the curtain at some of the creative chaos I pull off to feel like I’m ready to take on the world. Warning: side effects may include bursts of inspiration, strange cravings for art supplies, and a renewed love-hate relationship with glitter.

1. The Sacred Coffee (or Tea) of Destiny

It all begins with coffee. Not just any coffee—oh no, it has to be the coffee. I make myself Cuban coffee every morning. It is a work of art. It is less about caffeine and more about the ritual. I make it like an ancient alchemist conjuring elixirs of life. I even stir it slowly, imagining that with every swirl, I’m summoning the muses from their slumber. (Sure, they could just wake up and get to work, but apparently, they like to make an entrance.)

Pro tip: Don’t skimp on this ritual. If you’re not at least pretending your coffee is brewed from the tears of unicorns, are you really an artist? Also, if you don’t do coffee, no worries. This ritual can be performed with any elixir.

2. The Purge of the Studio Trolls

Before I can create, my studio must be cleansed. I don’t mean a simple tidying up—I mean banishing. Every rogue paintbrush, crumpled-up sketch, and suspiciously out-of-place snack wrapper (how did that get there?) is a troll that must be removed.

This part of the ritual feels especially powerful when done with dramatic flair. I’m basically Gandalf telling the creative block, “You shall not pass!”

3. The Music of the Gods (or, My Playlist)

Now that the trolls are gone and the muses are caffeinated, it’s time to set the mood with a playlist that says, “Today, you’re a creative force of nature, and nothing can stop you!”

Of course, this playlist is ever-changing depending on the vibe of the day. Am I painting an abstract piece that represents the chaotic beauty of the human experience? Cue the epic instrumental movie soundtracks. Am I sketching tiny happy monsters? Bring on the 90s throwbacks.

Music is essential. It tricks my brain into thinking, “Oh yeah, we’re totally in the zone.” Without it, my brain might realize I’m still in pajamas and haven’t showered yet.

4. The Costume Change

Speaking of pajamas, let’s address the outfit. I mean, could I paint a masterpiece in ratty sweats and a stained hoodie? Sure. But would the muses approve? Absolutely not. So, I put on my Artist Uniform—the clothes that say, “I am someone who makes art.” Usually, this involves clothes covered in paint splatters from past triumphs. To be fair, this is every outfit I own.

The point is to tell the universe, “I’m here to make some weird, wonderful, and potentially incomprehensible art, so get ready.” If the outfit feels right, the creativity flows. If it doesn’t, I might just end up scrolling through Instagram for three hours. Rituals are finicky that way.

5. The Meditation of Procrastination

Now, let’s be honest: sometimes the most crucial ritual of all is what I like to call The Sacred Stare. This involves sitting at my workspace, tools at the ready, and simply… staring.

For an outsider, it might look like I’m procrastinating or zoning out. But in reality, I’m doing some intense mental sketching. I’m visualizing the process. I’m seeing it in my mind. I’m negotiating with my creative energy.

(Okay, fine. I’m avoiding starting because that blank canvas looks intimidating. But eventually, the creative energy caves, and I start.)

6. The Manifestation of Paint Stains

Finally, once I’ve completed the coffee drinking, the sweeping, the music-listening, the dressing-up, and the staring, I have no choice but to create. I pick up the brush, the pen, the marker—whatever feels right—and I dive in. Once I’m in the flow, I’m unstoppable. The creativity surges. Ideas that seemed elusive ten minutes ago are now bursting forth.

This is the moment that all the rituals were leading up to. 

Here’s the thing to remember: the magic wasn’t in the coffee or the playlist. The magic was in me all along. (Yeah, I just got Disney-level cheesy on you.)

The rituals, though? They were the catalyst. They helped me trick my brain into getting started, and sometimes that’s the hardest part.

7. The Closing Ceremony

Every ritual needs a closing ceremony. For me, it’s simple: once the art is done (or at least at a good stopping point), I step back, admire the beauty, and immediately overanalyze it to the point of madness. Then, I declare the day a success and reward myself with a good meal and some Netflix, because let’s be real: lazy binge-watching is the true driving force behind creativity.

Bonus Tip: Never underestimate the power of post-creation food. It’s the cherry on top of this bizarre sundae we call the creative process.

And that’s it—my artist rituals for getting into the creative zone. Do they always work? Not 100% of the time. But when they do, it feels like magic. And when they don’t, well, at least I have a really good cup of coffee and a playlist that makes me feel like I can conquer the world. What weird rituals do you use to spark creativity? Let me know so I can shamelessly steal them (in the most artistically inspired way possible, of course). Leave your comments below.

Announcement: We will be chatting with our Rogues over on Patreon during our Monday night Exclusive Livestream tonight about creative rituals and how ridiculous and powerful they are. To join us for the live podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/Rafiwashere