From Creative Overwhelm to Clarity
How I Organize My Ideas & Get Things Done
Does This Sound Familiar?
You start a new creative project—excited, inspired, and ready to dive in.
And then, suddenly, you feel stuck.
Thousands of ideas flood in at once, pulling you in different directions. Instead of flowing, you freeze.
I’ve been there—many times.
Like when I was designing a coffee table book for a client. I love coffee table books. They are one of my favourite design projects. Naturally, my brain went into overdrive:
Should we go for bold typography or an ultra-minimalist aesthetic?
Full-page photography, mixed media elements, or unexpected color accents?
Maybe a blend of vintage and modern?
The ideas clashed in my head, and suddenly, I felt stuck. Too many ideas made it impossible to move forward.
Why Creative Overwhelm Happens
Creative overwhelm is real. Whether you're an entrepreneur, designer, writer, or creative thinker, you’ve probably experienced it at some point.
Here’s why it happens:
Too many possibilities – You see endless creative directions and don’t know which to choose.
Perfectionism – You’re afraid of making the “wrong” decision, so you don’t make any.
Lack of structure – Without a process, ideas become cluttered instead of clear.
So how do you turn that creative chaos into clarity?
I’ve developed a step-by-step process that helps me take an overwhelming creative project and turn it into a finished masterpiece.
7 Steps to Start a Creative Project Without Overwhelm
1. Start with the Big Picture
Before getting lost in details, I take a step back and feel into the essence of what’s being created.
I ask myself:
What is the core message of this project?
If this project had a personality, how would I describe it?
What emotion should it evoke?
When you focus on the big picture first, the details start to fall into place.
2. Brain Dump Every Idea
Before I can think clearly, I need to get every idea out of my head and onto paper.
Even the ones that I know won’t work.
Why? Because as long as an idea is floating in my brain, it’s taking up space.
Once I write it down, I can see what actually makes sense and what doesn’t.
A helpful exercise is to set a five-minute timer and write every idea that comes to mind—no judgment, no filtering.
3. Set Parameters (Constraints = Clarity)
Now that the ideas are out—time to eliminate what doesn’t fit.
I ask:
What are the non-negotiables? (Size, format, deadline?)
What’s the main goal of this project?
What’s my timeframe? (Because deadlines create decisions.)
These parameters automatically eliminate ideas that don’t fit the vision.
4. Create a Visual Mood Board
I create a visual board using Pinterest and Canva to see the aesthetic, mood, and energy of the project.
Once I see everything in one place, the right direction becomes clear.
A simple way to do this is to pull together images, colors, textures, and design elements that match the project's feel.
5. Build the First Draft—Then Step Away
This is where I resist the urge to overthink.
I create the first version without trying to perfect it—then I walk away.
A personal example:
When I was writing my business plan for Cosmic Roots Creative, something felt off.
I let it sit for a few days, and one afternoon, while walking outside, inspiration hit.
I realized the missing piece was business essence. That’s what my work is about—helping clients connect with the core of their business.
I went back and rewrote everything, and this time, it felt aligned.
Creativity flows best when you give it space.
6. Review with Fresh Eyes
After a break, I switch from creator mode to client mode. I look at the project as if I am an outsider viewing it for the first time.
Does this feel complete?
Is the message clear?
Am I missing anything essential?
When I build landing pages for clients, I often realize that key details are missing—like event dates or emotional triggers in the copy.
This step helps expose what’s missing.
7. Refine—Without Overthinking
Here’s the truth:
You could tweak forever.
So, I set a limit. I trust my gut when I feel like it’s done.
I imagine myself at 90 years old still tweaking the same project. That’s my sign to let go.
A useful tip is to set a deadline for final edits. When you feel 80 percent good about something, it’s probably ready to go.
Final Thoughts: How to Get Unstuck Today
If you’re currently stuck in a creative spiral, do this:
Reconnect with the essence of your project.
Sit with it. Feel into it. Let that guide your next step.
Then, brain dump every idea onto paper—right now.
My Mantra for Creative Flow
“I love this creative brain and everything it gets to create.”
Gratitude calms the chaos. Try it.
Want to Dive Deeper?
I created a FREE Creative Essence Discovery Guide to help you uncover your unique creative process.
Inside, you’ll get:
A journal exercise to explore your natural creative flow
A ChatGPT tool to craft your Personal Creative Essence Statement
What’s Your Creative Process?
Do you jump right in? Overthink first? Or get stuck at step one?
Drop your process in the comments—I’d love to hear how you create.
Let’s Connect on Instagram
I share more insights on creativity, alignment, and business flow over on Instagram.
Follow @cosmicrootscreative for more content on unlocking your creative potential.