What To Do When You’re Stuck Between Ideas
How to decide whether to start, pivot, or finish your creative project and what to do when you're stuck between all three. Plus, a new way to get support and feedback.
Ever find yourself staring at your project list wondering:
“Should I start this new idea?”
“Should I finish what I already started?”
“Should I throw the whole thing out and pivot?”
You're not alone. You’re also not indecisive or “doing it wrong”. You’re just creative.
And being creative means navigating the ongoing tug-of-war between inspiration, follow-through, and the occasional existential “What even is this?”
Let’s talk about how to figure out your next right step, whether it’s to start, pivot, or finish, and how to finally get out of the loop.
When It’s Time To Start
Start something new when:
The idea won’t leave you alone (you think about it on dog walks, in the shower, while pretending to answer emails).
You’re creatively stuck in a rut and need something that sparks energy again.
You’ve already gathered insight or feedback that tells you this idea has legs.
You're avoiding the thing you really want to build with busy work around the idea.
You're craving growth, challenge, or fresh energy.
Starting something even if there’s other stuff in the hopper isn’t flaky. It’s brave.
But give yourself a container (a time limit, a mini goal, a feedback loop) to avoid spiraling into shiny object purgatory.
Further Reading:
When It’s Time To Pivot
You might need to shift gears if:
The project you’re working on drains you more than it fuels you.
The original idea no longer aligns with where you’re heading (or who you’ve become).
You’re trying to force something that doesn’t fit your audience, your energy, or your goals anymore.
You’ve lost enthusiasm for reasons that aren’t just fear.
It’s costing more time, money, or energy than it gives back
Pivoting isn’t quitting. It’s a strategic move.
You’re allowed to change your mind and your method.
When It’s Time To Finish
If you’re:
80% done but spinning in perfectionist limbo
Procrastinating because you're scared of releasing
Investing too much time even though now it’s about shipping it and learning from the result
Avoiding finishing because it’s vulnerable to release…
…it’s probably time to finish.
Finishing is a skill. It requires boundaries, support, and a willingness to ship before it’s perfect.
This Will Resonate:
What If You’re Not Sure?
Here’s the real reason a lot of creators get stuck in indecision:
You’re working in a vacuum.
When you’re in your own head, everything can feel like the wrong move. You overthink. You tinker. You ghost your own genius because you’re afraid of picking the “wrong” next step.
That’s why having feedback, structure, and support makes all the difference.
More More More:
Enter: CREATE MORE CLUB
If you’re sitting on a half-finished project…
If you’ve been wanting to start something but keep second-guessing yourself…
If you need a creative nudge, a little accountability, and a place to share your work without judgment…
✨ CREATE MORE CLUB is for you.
It’s a subscription-based community where you can:
Share your work-in-progress and get real feedback
Join monthly creative biz workshops
Access curated calls-for-art, writing contests, and opportunities
Learn from tool walkthroughs and tutorials
Connect with a supportive crew of fellow idea-doers
I built this because we don’t need more inspiration. We need more implementation with support.
👉🏽 Come join CREATE MORE CLUB and finally get out of your creative holding pattern.
We’ll help you figure out whether it’s time to start, pivot, or finish and then actually do the thing.
💬 Q For You:
What project are you currently sitting with and what’s stopping you from moving it forward?
Drop a comment, or tell me in our Substack chat.
Let’s make this your season of creative momentum.
Yes good questions / advice. Tho personally I don’t like the word (meaning behind) pivot. I may well be on a 1 man crusade but hey! 😂
For me it’s as simple as Stop, Start, Continue.
But… what I do think that’s really important is to know, when to stop each / all types of work in progress.
Not just for those near to finish. For sure, good enough is good enough.
criteria to know if to stop mid way is as important as is criteria to stop what you start. Either because you’ve got ahead of yourself and haven’t tested it’s right, or just are spending a disproportionate amount of time.
Thank you for sharing this criteria. This is a situation I've found myself in a bunch of times before, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
I am currently stuck on an idea for a sci-fi/mystery narrative, and I'm stuck because I can't decide in what medium to do it on. (Comic book, short film, experimental music video.)