Aren’t there times that you feel your creative juices being in a lack? You try to think of your next topic, but nothing interesting comes to mind. As a creator, during those periods, you most possibly feel you are failing. Inspiration is what you need during those moments.
But what can you do when you feel you need inspiration?
Read also: How Does Freewriting Help to Writer’s Block
What to do when you Need Inspiration
1. Get Outside and Connect with People
We are all guilty of seeing people in our everyday lives without ever really connecting with them. Most often, we consume our energy and the time we spend with other people in meaningless conversations about superficial things.
Just try to get outside and make some real questions to the people around you. Ask to find out more about them. Who they really are? What are they passionate about? Are they afraid of something? What is that one thing they are missing more in their lives?
Do you really know the people around you? Even your closest ones? Ask questions and listen carefully to the answers you get. Most of the times the answers I get surprise me. I must admit that sometimes small talk might be good to break the ice, but genuine relationships can come out only after deep conversations.
A new person or even a friendly talk with someone you already know will most probably bring you lots of things to think about. It could be a good starting point to start another excellent discussion with yourself and your feelings and thoughts about it. At least I always do so.
Stop playing with your mobiles when you are around to other people. Disconnect from the internet to reconnect with people is what you can do when you need inspiration.
Read also: This is How Slow Living Benefits Your Life
2. Consume Art in Every Form
Art is an enormous source of inspiration. You might not be a big lover of sculpture or painting, but you may love music, cinema or theatre. Whatever is your favourite form of art, turn yourself to it whenever you need inspiration.
Art generates feelings and offers us another view of something we might have already thought about. Why are those feelings evoked? What happens inside you? The experience you get after consuming a brilliant piece of art is usually followed by a change that happens inside you.
In ancient Greece, through tragedies, the heroes and the audience where lead to catharsis. Every play or movie is structured around a main topic and a central idea. What are your thoughts about it? What you can definitely do when you need inspiration is to turn yourself to art.
“A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself . . . with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emotions.”
Aristotle
Read also: 4 Approaches to Show How to Find Beauty in Imperfection
3. Read Some Inspirational Quotes
If you read this blog long enough, you probably have noticed that I am a huge fun of quotes. I love calling them “little sips of wisdom” and I call them like that for a reason. Quotes are small, well said or written sentences almost about anything. They could be taken out of books, interviews, movies, plays, etc.
Usually, when I read a book, I must admit that I am one of those awful people who hold a pen and underline some of my favorite sentences. From time to time, I return to those books and read only those sentences just to remember how it felt while reading it. I use those sentences as quotes from where I can get inspired and write something on my own.
There are other times when I just want to know what other people have said about something in particular. At those times I might just google to find some quotes let’s say about “success”, “fear” or “procrastination”. Reading some quotes makes me think of several aspects of a particular subject which help me in exploring those different aspects through my writing.
Some of my favorite quotes are:
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
Oscar Wilde
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere’s Fan
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“Without music, life would be a mistake.”
Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Albert Einstein
“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
Albert Einstein
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
Marilyn Monroe
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas A. Edison
“Everything you can imagine is real.”
Pablo Picasso
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
George Bernard Shaw
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Theodore Roosevelt
Although I could create a full post just with quotes that I adore, this was not my initial purpose. Reading these sentences makes me think. I think of something I would love to say about them, of something I would love to write about them.
Personally, I find it much easier to write when I have just read something else. If you haven‘t ever tried to get inspired to write something after reading a quote, I strongly recommend this to you.
Read also: What Nobody Tells You About Life – 20 Facts to Know
Final Thoughts on my Top 3 Suggestions When You Need Inspiration
Every creator has his own ways of overcoming a creative block and find inspiration. However, connecting with other people, consuming art and quotes are my top 3 choices when I need new ideas.
To conclude, I believe that inspiration is everywhere if we are open and willing to see it.
What do you do when you need inspiration? Have you found my tips helpful?
I would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
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I love this post; I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone give these exact tips, but I agree with them whole-heartedly! You’ve given me some things to think about, for sure. I’m definitely going to share this post; it’s fantastic and more people need to read it! Thank you for the wonderful insight.
Ibam really glad you enjoyed it and it gave you things to think about. Thank you so much for reading!
Consuming art in all its forms is a really good suggestion. What has inspired others can inspire us. I usually find that taking a break and getting outdoors really helps when I am stuck for ideas. Connecting with people on a deeper level is something I will definitely try. The suggestions you make in this article cost nothing to implement and, I think, they will work for nearly everyone.
I do hope so Belinda. They definitely work for me. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Under the point where art isn’t inspiration, you should reference your blog. Ever since I started reading your posts, the ideas just flow. Whenever I finish reading something here, I have the urge to write and create.
Thank you for sharing your views. I especially like the fact that when you talked about connecting with others, to put our phones down. That is something I always actively do. People deserve our attention, just as we want that from others.
Awesome post, as always 😊
Thank you so much for your comment Benny! I am really glad you find my posts inspirational. I appreciate it a lot 🙂
Great tips, I love reading inspirational quotes every day. it helps me to keep going. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked it Frank. Thank you!
Inspiring, thank you for sharing x
Lailahttp://www.lailanblog.blogspot.com
Thank you!
All of these ideas are really great; creativity and inspiration often need a bit of a boost! I will be using some of these suggestions as I need to make sure I’m nurturing this part of my life/me. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you found it helpful Molly. Thank you!
Consume all forms of art – such a great suggestion. It reminded me how I used to go to the museum just to be inspired by the work there. I think I am overdue another trip.
Great to read you do aspire my proposal for finding inspiration through the consumption of art. Thank you!
I love reading quotes but haven’t use them as inspiration. Thanks for a new idea!
Creative block can be hugely frustrating! These are some interesting tips to help find inspiration to be creative. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
Thank you Lauren!
I love these ideas, particularly talking to people! Our best inspiration is found around us 🙂
Exactly Caroline. Thank you!
Great post. I always feel a boost when I get outdoors and connect with others. I find I’m really productive after this. Quotes always help too. Thanks for sharing.
Jade MumLifeandMe
Thank you Jade!
I love these ideas! I love the idea of talking to people, a simple sentence in a conversation can ignite that little bit of inspiration that has been missing! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Everything is inspiring Lucy. Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Love these tips! So helpful. And I love that these are all more creative than the usual tips you see. I like getting outside, and also looking at other art (in all forms). Both of these can usually bring me some inspiration. I feel like going for a walk helps the dust settle in my mind and gives me some clarity. Thank you for sharing these! Great post.
Colleen | ChooseYourUni
Glad to read you found them creative. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
These are such great tips! I think when I’m lacking inspiration, I like to read – whether articles or books or blog posts, but I haven’t thought of looking at different types of art.
Thank you Katie!
Great recommendations! LOVE the quotes you chose to share! Be well. ✌️
Thank you!
I find inspirational quotes can either make or break my mood. They can either make me feel good or cynical, depending on my mood. Likewise with getting out and meeting people. Art, on the other hand! Now that can really inspire me.
Definitely not everything works for everyone Nyxie. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I really like that you emphasise each creator has his/her own way to deal with their creative process. At the same time, all these tips are important point for reference and further exploration. My favourite is to go out for a walk, it usually helps me and sometimes I get ideas or solutions to problems I face. Thank you for sharing ♥️
Everyone is different so it is normal to have different ways of dealing with creative block. Thank you for reading and commenting!
These are great tips for finding inspiration m. I like to read inspiring quotes or even going outside when i am in need of some inspiration.
Thank you Riyah!
I was just going through this. Loving the tips. Pinterest is my go to for inspiration.
Thank you!
Great tips. I love seeing a quote that fits when I’m not looking for it, it can definitely seem like a sign and be inspiration!
Miriam | A Hygge Escape
Great to know you love quotes too. Thank you!
These days I am trying to consume more art such as ballet and museums. I still have to try opera. Interesting suggestions.
Glad to read that you try to consume different forms of art. Thank you for commenting!
I love when I read a post that talks about what I’m going through in the moment. I’ve been a bit uninspired lately and in need of… something. I love quotes. “Little sips of wisdom” is a perfect way to describe them. Thank you for sharing your favorites here. Several of mine are on your list as well. I think I will try engaging with the people around me to see if that helps pull me out of this feeling. Thanks for the tips!
I am glad you found this post helpful and you read it when you needed it most. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Ah, the first one! The best way to get inspiration, especially if your friends and acquaintances like to discuss interesting matters and not just mainstream trends. Also agree with the quote part, especially when it comes to Instagram, quotes can be a brilliant way to get an idea for what you want to say today 🙂 Great post!
Teresa Maria | Outlandish Blog
Glad you liked it and found it interesting. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Amazing tips, I love them! Reading inspirational quotes help me massively and going out on a walk, or even grab a coffee with a friend helps too! I also find meditation very helpful when I’m searching for an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing, I loved reading it. – Penny | http://www.whatdidshetype.com
Glad you liked it. Thank you so much!
I love love this post! I run out of ideas sometimes and I don’t like that. This post is spot on. I should really get out there more and consume more kinds of art. I know I love music and painting. Thanks for sharing this.
Really happy you liked it. Thank you!
When it comes to finding inspiration, I will read fictions and brainstorm ideas with like minded people. These are good tips. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Fadima ❤️
I love these three tips; they are all so simple and easily done. Art in all its forms makes me so happy, and it is hard not to feel inspired when happy. I might even argue the quotes you share are a form of written art! 🙂
Glad you aspire my tips Jaya! Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
These are such great tips, my favorite and the one I do the most is consume all forms of art, as someone into all types of art from writing, drawing, to candle making there I love that art is almost everywhere I find it in fanfiction to cartoons <3
Art is a great source of inspiration Tiffany. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I like reading quotes and different art forms, but they haven’t boosted my inspiration. The best for me has been connecting with people and not necessarily outside, I have had deep and philosophical discussions online too 🙂