Inspiration is the air to our creative fire. And losing touch with it is a natural occurrence. Whether you're at the beginning, middle, or end of a project, you can easily spark inspiration with these five tips. Use them every day or when you need a burst of insight. They are easy to implement and filled with magic.
Meet your Teacher
Chemainus, Canada
Transcript
Hello and welcome to 5 ways to spark inspiration. Whether you're at the beginning, Middle, Or end of a project, Inspiration can disappear in the blink of an eye. Just when you need it most, You wonder where the heck it's gone and why you're staring at a blank screen. Losing sight of inspiration is as natural as being in the creative flow. So many factors can chase it away. Overthinking, Overworking, Fear, And many more. It's surprisingly easy to find yourself feeling stuck. I have encountered this feeling more times than I can count. Now I know it's part of the dance of being creative. And if I'm feeling heavy or stuck, It's time to start something fresh. If I can catch myself in the habit of pushing too hard, I quickly remember that there are easier and better ways to get my creative flame burning. In years of writing screenplays, Novels, Project plans, And courses, I have collected some tried and true methods to spark up my inspiration when that flame is dangerously close to burning out. I remember that inspiration is my playful partner. That together we make the fire that burns while I create. And to make fire, You need fuel, A spark, And oxygen. So if you're missing one of those elements, It is not going to happen. Whether you want to think of inspiration as the spark or the oxygen, These five tips will give you what you need to get that flame burning again. So that you can feel excited about what you're making and how you're going to make it. The first way to spark your inspiration is to grab your favorite song. Music is an incredible source of energy. When you play a song, Your mood shifts. You can use music intentionally to create a certain mood. So if you want to feel inspired, If you want to write a sultry song, If you want to get in the mood to create a mystery series, Or you just need to feel relaxed, Music is the great energy shifter. I put music on and dance to get my energy flowing. When my physical energy shifts, I am much more receptive to ideas. I also find that the lyrics of different songs provide inspiration for a blog, A trip, A visual design, A partnership, And so many more things. You'd be amazed what can come to you in the lyrics of a song. The Muse loves to pass on ideas through music, And I know many creatives who use it to receive guidance. I've even used specific artists to carry me through entire projects. When I was writing a screenplay that was a political thriller, There was one Moby album that I listened to again and again every time that I put my fingers on those keys. When I put the music on, I immediately found myself pulled into the world that I was writing, And the words flowed through at record speed. The second way to spark your inspiration is to pour your thoughts and feels into a journal. I am a big believer in journals. I have a journal for everything. For feelings, Ideas, Habits, Doodles, And business planning. Whether you are bursting with ideas or feeling completely stuck, Grabbing a journal and putting pen to paper can shift your state. I love writing out all my frustrations and feelings. When I do, I feel like I'm giving myself permission to be my whole person. And once I make enough space for all the awkward and inconvenient feelings, I discover that the glimmers of ideas shine through. Like I have room to breathe, And my heart can sparkle and jump and shine again. But first, I need to make room for the foggy, Growly, Uncomfortable feelings that are blocking the flow of inspiration. More than likely, They simply need to be felt and heard and understood. Because we all get frustrated and discouraged and impatient and insecure. It's part of being human, And it's part of being creative. So when I acknowledge those thoughts and feelings, My emotional and mental load lifts, And the sparkling ideas arrive. The third way to spark your inspiration is to listen to a podcast or an audiobook. You put out a lot of energy into the world. As a creator, As a friend, As an entrepreneur, You share so much in everything you do. So it's easy to get exhausted or just feel empty. That's where the generosity and genius of other creatives serves you. When I listen to my favorite podcasts, I feel like I'm listening to a friend. That they've showed up on my phone and in my car just to share their ideas with me. I get to choose who to listen to in each moment. If I need a pep talk, I have one podcast friend. If I need some mystical guidance, I have another that I lean on. You get to find comrades, Companions, Mentors, Cheerleaders, All through amazing apps like Spotify, Insight Timer, YouTube, And Audible. Soak up their energy. Give yourself the gift of feeling another person's enthusiasm when you've lost hope in your project. As Rumi says, We're all walking each other home. You'll be amazed by the ideas and the connections you can make by riding the wave of someone else's creativity. The fourth way to spark your inspiration is to chat with a creative friend. I believe that creativity craves company. You can only accomplish so much when you're alone. Regardless of whether you're an introvert, Extrovert, Or ambivert, We need other folks to spark us up and get the inspiration flames burning. This is especially important if you are battling the doubt monster, Also known as imposter syndrome. Being creative requires courage, And that means you are going to bump into fear regularly. Fear can look like so many things. Doubt. Insecurity. Exhaustion. Boredom. Resignation. Resentment. But really, Underneath it all, Is fear. The best antidote? Yep, You got it. Talking to a friend. Fear and shame will always shy away from compassion and honesty. So take that sensation and bring it into the sunlight of friendship. Chat out your fears. Throw around your ideas. Laugh at what feels like the seriousness of it all. Creativity grows with well-chosen company. The operative words here are creative and friend. Connect with someone kind and generous who wants the best for you. Not somebody who's going to criticize or put down your ideas or wonder why you're stuck again. Always go for the friend who is both creative and understands. Your ideas will multiply and you'll return to your work reignited. The fifth way to spark your inspiration is to shake your gorgeous tail feathers. Movement is the key to flow. So if you've been sitting for hours, You need to get up and get going. Within minutes of walking, Dancing, Driving, Or jumping rope, I feel the shift in my mental and my emotional energy. I go from metaphorically knocking my head against an idea wall to feeling like there's an answer just around the corner. I remember that there's a big, Bold, Gorgeous world out there beyond the mental box that I have locked myself in. And if I breathe, Explore, And give myself room to let go for a while, The ideas come. Movement reminds me that I need to let go more often and trust that the muse wants to dance. Energy of all kinds, Including inspiration, Needs to flow. Remember, Inspiration is your dance partner. That means moving. So take a break, Stand up, Shake it off, Dance to your favorite song, Or do what I love to do, Which is get in the car and go for a drive to my favorite cafe, Chat with a barista, Or go for a stroll in the sunshine. The most inspired notions come flying in when you're looking the other way. Those surprises are the best moments when you're writing a novel, Imagining a podcast, Or building your next design. And they're a lovely reminder that you have company on the creative path. So these are just five ways to spark inspiration. There are so many more. There are probably dozens and hundreds of ways to get your inspiration going. So I share these five in order to give you a taste of the possibilities and also to build your creative habits that will keep the energy flowing and bring more joy into your creative process. The most important tip is to remember that creativity is always available. Even in the moments when you feel most stuck, There is a breakthrough just a breath away. You are designed to be inspired and to live a life that is filled with connection, Creativity, And joy. Thank you for joining me today. If you enjoyed this and you'd like to hear more about joyful creating, You can find me on Instagram and on my website, Caitramels. Com. Have a beautiful day.
4.8 (24)
Yule
September 18, 2024
I loved this item - upbeat, practical and containing useful and timely support for those times when your inspiration was last seen boarding a bus out of town.
