How to find inspiration when you're feeling stuck.
Whatever your creative outlet it can be challenging to constantly come up with fresh ideas and new perspectives. I am always asked where I find my inspiration find. Where the words come from and how I come up with something new so often. What I know to be true is that inspiration is all around us if we just take a moment to look.
In this blog post I thought I would share some simple but powerful ways to find inspiration in everyday life and use it for your own creativity.
- Keep a journal
One of the best ways to find inspiration is to keep a journal. Write down your thoughts, observations, and experiences as they happen. Use your journal to capture moments of inspiration or insight that you might forget otherwise. When you're stuck for ideas, go back through your journal and see if there's anything you can expand on or develop into a piece of prose. You may find ideas come to you at the strangest times such as in the shower, or while driving. Have your journal near by so you can capture these thoughts.
- Read widely
Reading is a great way to find inspiration and expand your ideas. Read everything and anything. Reading a wide range of topics, genres and opinions can help spark ideas. And reading doesn't have to be books, it can also be blogs, editorials or social media. Just remember that everything you read isn't necessarily a fact but it is an opinion and it can help trigger a steam of thought in your mind.
- Go outside
Nature is a great source of inspiration. Take a walk in the park, go for a hike, or simply sit outside and observe the world around you. Pay attention to the details – the colors, the sounds, the smells – and let them inspire you. You might find that being in nature clears your mind and allows you to come up with new ideas.
- Talk to people
Conversations with others can be a great source of inspiration. Listen to people's stories and experiences and see if they spark any ideas. Listen to people who may think differently to you as this can help bring new ideas to your mind too.
- Practice gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can help you find inspiration and motivation. Take a few minutes each day to reflect on the things in your life that you're grateful for. You might find that this helps you see the world in a more positive light and gives you new ideas for writing.
Finding inspiration in everyday life is all about being open to the world around you. Keep a journal, read, go outside, listen, and practice gratitude – and you'll always be receiving new ideas. Remember that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places, so keep an open mind and be ready to capture it when it comes.