On Inspiration ~ the 3 tips I need right now

Inspiration is kind of something we thrive on as creatives.

So what do we do when our well of inspiration has run dry? When we find ourselves sitting before a blank canvas, a blank word document, or a blank sketchbook… with  nothing to say?

Today I’m going to give you three tips for what do do when you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. But first…

Are you really uninspired?

How often do we go around letting others know we’re bored? or that we don’t know what to write about? or draw?

How often is that actually true? Yes, I’m calling you out. (Just kidding, I’m totally calling myself out.)

Maybe you already know what you want to create. But you’re afraid. Afraid of what others will think. Afraid that it won’t work out. Afraid that it’ll just be a waste of time.

I know conquering that fear isn’t easy, so I made a little piece of artwork, just for you…

Don’t let fear hold you back!

Alright, now let’s get to the tips for if you actually are struggling with finding inspiration.

1. Live a little

You’ve been sitting with a sketchbook in your lap for half an hour. Maybe you’re searching the Pinterest for inspo, but alas, you keep coming up dry. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been there, done that.

The solution to this problem is simple: Get up off your bahoochie and go live a little!

Go outside. Take a walk. Mow the yard. Climb a tree. Get away from your sketchbook, your phone, your computer, and see a bit of the world.

You don’t have to travel to some exotic country to be inspired! You can live a little without even stepping outside. Try a new recipe. Make a full course dinner for your family. Learn how to do the Timestep. Pick up a new instrument. Learn your favorite song.

My siblings and I like to run every now and then, and it’s always so inspiring. When heavy breathing makes is difficult to talk, you’re practically alone with your thoughts. And when your mind gets a chance to wander, inspiration isn’t far away.

Which leads me to my second tip.

2. Dream a little

This kind of goes along with my first tip, in that you’re going to have to get your tush out of your chair…

…and go to bed. Okay, maybe not (though I will say rest is very important, so don’t forget to sleep at night).

Get away from your workspace. Listen to some music, read your Bible. Close your eyes and imagine. Take some time to just breathe and be. Let go of all the distractions and spend some time with the Maker, and wonder. Take the fact that you don’t have any inspiration to Him. Thank Him for making you so wonderfully complex.

Inspiration and overwhelm don’t go very well together. This has been my main struggle. With all that’s going on in the world, and all the projects I’m trying to juggle… it’s hard. When I acknowledge the struggle, though, and take some time away to breathe and pray and imagine, it seems I can’t stop the flow of inspiration.

So dream a little, but dream big.

3. Make your own inspired space

Alright, if you’ve done the first two things and you still find yourself uninspired, this is what you can do: Make an inspired space!

I’m saying “space” kind of metaphorically here; you don’t need to actually have a real wall or anything. You can pin pictures on a Pinterest board; or save little things that inspire you in a notebook; make an inspiring collage; or, you know, just go ahead and tape pictures on a real wall, like I do. (But don’t ask to see my inspirational space, ’cause honestly, it ain’t that inspirational, heh heh.)

It’s up to you, whatever you want to do. But it’s nice to have something you can return to when you’re tank is dry. So you should… do that. (I know, I have such a way with words.)

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Well, I hope this post was… if nothing else, inspiring. And I apologize for the general conjumbled-ness. I really need to stop waiting till the last minute to write these.

So, what do you like to do when you’re feeling low on inspiration? Is anyone else feeling particularly uninspired during this crazy time? I would love to hear from you in the comments!

Until next time!

Love y’all,
~ Chalice