Stuck on a Problem? Adopt a Creative Mindset.

“The most creative people are motivated by the grandest of problems that are presented before them.” 

~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

If you’re a caregiver, you’re also a problem solver. But have you ever thought about how much you tap into your creativity when you solve those problems?

Using our creative abilities for problem-solving is especially important for unpaid family caregivers (or professional caregivers). Our roles often involve navigating complex, unpredictable, and emotionally charged situations with limited resources, so it helps to develop a mindset to come up with creative solutions.

Here's why this mindset of creative problem-solving matters:

1) Adaptability in Uncertain Situations

Caregiving rarely follows a script, and loved ones' needs can change rapidly. Creativity allows caregivers to adapt on the fly, finding new ways to meet those needs with empathy and flexibility.

2) Resourcefulness with Limited Support

Unpaid caregivers often lack access to professional training, financial resources, or external help. Creative problem-solving empowers them to make the most of what they have—whether that means creating a new daily routine, finding a calming strategy for a distressed loved one, or reconfiguring the home for safety and ease.

3) Preventing Burnout by Reframing Challenges

Creativity allows caregivers to reframe exhausting or frustrating moments as opportunities for exploration, not just burdens to endure. This shift in mindset helps maintain emotional resilience and avoid burnout by transforming caregiving from a series of obstacles into a dynamic, meaningful process.

3 CREATIVE TOOLS TO PREVENT BURNOUT:

1) Expressive Journaling (5-Minute Creativity Boost)

Write freely about your day, emotions, or challenges — no filter, no pressure for perfection. Try prompts like:

• “Today, I felt most like myself when…”

• “If I could imagine a better way to do ___, it would look like…”

• “What am I holding that I need to set down today?”

Journaling clears mental clutter, helps identify patterns, and allows your intuition and creativity to guide problem-solving.

2) Micro-Moments of Play

Take just 10 minutes a day this week to color, doodle, build, dance, cook creatively, or even repurpose something around the house. Choose something enjoyable — no judgment or final product needed.

Engaging in small, low-stakes creative acts brings joy, activates the reward system in your brain, and gives you a break from caregiving stress.

3) “What If?” Brainstorming

When you feel stuck, ask yourself creative “what if” questions:

• “What if there was one thing I could change about this situation?”

• “What if I approached this conversation with curiosity instead of fear?”

• “What if I treated myself like someone I loved?”

• "What is my contribution to this challenge?"

This process opens mental space beyond “either/or” thinking and helps reframe challenges into opportunities, which is essential for emotional flexibility.

Adopting a creative mindset benefits our overall health and well-being. I love that we can use the same tools to help prevent burnout AND to boost our problem-solving creativity. So the better we are at expressing our creativity, the better we get at solving problems…and vice versa!