why is it that a change of scenery often spurs our creativity?

Question

people say that they need a change of scenery to get their muse back. why does this work? or if you disagree, what DOES work?

Answer 1

This is good advice. The same scenery gives you the same associations and thought patterns...a kind of "perceptual habit."

New scenery means new images, which means new associations. New associations is the bread and butter of creativity, the very definition of creative thinking.

What works for me is to get on a plane and go somewhere, anywhere.

Answer 2

Staying in the same place may cause stagnation and you start to "drift" from aspiring.

A new stimulus may very well start creative juices flowing.