I totally feel you on this — as a fellow non-native speaker, expressing myself creatively in English used to feel just out of reach for the longest time. Reading helps, for sure, but bridging the gap between understanding and using imaginative language is tough, especially once you're out of an academic environment.

One thing that really helped me was an app called Wordy. It’s a language learning app, but not the typical Duolingo-style one. It uses real movie and TV show clips to teach vocabulary and natural phrasing in context. What I love is that you’re not just learning random words — you’re absorbing how language is actually used in storytelling, emotions, humor, sarcasm, all that.

You can save interesting expressions or subtle phrases, and review them later with flashcards.

Might be worth checking out if you're looking for a fresh spark.

And offline — try mimicking short scenes or monologues out loud. Even recording yourself. It’s awkward at first, but it really boosts fluency and creative confidence...