Break Your Routine

Creativity thrives on change, but we all have habits that shape how we create. While routines can be comforting, they can also limit us if we never step outside them.

This week, we’re inviting you to break your creative routine and see where it takes you. Whether it’s experimenting with scale, style, or process, shaking things up can open the door to new ideas, unexpected results, and growth.

It might feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s where the magic happens. Let’s embrace the unfamiliar together!

The Challenge Prompt

This week’s challenge: Step outside your comfort zone by breaking a creative habit.

• If you always plan meticulously, try improvising.

• If you usually work small, go big.

• If you prefer quiet, precise methods, get messy and bold.

  

Shake up your process and see what happens. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s discovery.

Creative Examples to Inspire You

Here are some ways to break your routine:

Visual Artists

• Use a larger or smaller canvas than usual.

• Experiment with tools you don’t typically use, like palette knives, markers, or even your hands.

• If you’re drawn to realistic art, try abstract techniques—or vice versa.

Writers

• Write in a genre you’ve never explored before, such as horror, romance, or sci-fi.

• If you typically write in long form, experiment with flash fiction or poetry.

• Break your usual routine by writing at a different time of day or in a new location.

Designers

• If symmetry and precision are your comfort zone, try creating chaotic, asymmetrical designs.

• Use a color palette or texture that feels completely outside your norm.

• Challenge yourself to design without using any of your go-to tools or techniques.

Musicians

• Switch up your usual tempo or key.

• Try composing in a genre you’re unfamiliar with, or incorporate an unexpected instrument.

• Record a live improvisation session and let spontaneity guide you.

Optional Add-On: Reflect on Your Experience

After completing your piece, take a moment to reflect:

• What creative habit did you break, and why?

• How did it feel to step out of your comfort zone?

• Did this challenge lead to new insights, techniques, or ideas?

Sharing your reflection can deepen your understanding of the experience and inspire others to step outside their routines too.

Closing Encouragement

Breaking a routine can be intimidating, but it’s also one of the most powerful ways to grow creatively. The process of trying something new—whether it feels messy, freeing, or even frustrating—can uncover hidden strengths and push your creativity to unexpected places.

This week, let go of your usual habits and embrace the thrill of experimentation. Who knows what you’ll discover?

We’d love to see how you break your routine! Share your work and reflections with the Simplex Minds community by tagging us and using the hashtag #SimplexChallenge.

This week, try something new. Break a habit. Step outside your comfort zone. Let’s see what happens when we shake things up!