How to Stay Inspired
Let’s face it — feeling inspired is a critical part of creating and working on your business. As I mentioned in my February Coffee Date, I felt out of ideas, and I wanted to find new ways for me to spark my creativity. Creativity comes in waves for me: some days I’m overwhelmed with inspiration, and I find myself up late into the night because I’m so excited about what I’m working on. These days give me a chance to practice my patience and tuck away some ideas for the days that feel dry. On dry days, I still like to give my brain a creative break and just have fun and learn new things and create new ideas.
Connecting with Others
Connections should be at the top of the list. When I’m feeling uninspired or discouraged, I always have someone that I call to encourage me, lift me back up again or keep me accountable to my dreams and goals that I once shared. A friend, a family member, or a mentor can be a great source of encouragement. Find someone that knows your personal goals and can help encourage you and keep you accountable for the steps to get where you want to be.
Pinterest is a fun place to go to aimlessly scroll, rejuvenate your right brain and have fun looking at other people’s inspiration. From motivating quotes to blog posts to home decor, you’ll find something to spark your creativity. I love looking at business advice and blogs, but most times I end up planning how I want to redecorate my office, bedroom, or kitchen. Do whatever brings you joy!
Unplug
I just suggested Pinterest as a way to spark creativity, and now I’m saying unplug… It’s all about balance. There are times where I feel like I’ve been staring at screens forever and I need to disconnect. Now that the weather is warming up, I’ve been able to unplug and walk in the sunshine, letting the sounds of nature and the feeling of fresh air wash over me. For a few minutes, a night off, or even a few days off, can be a refreshing break to break up old habits and inspire a new perspective.
Everyday Creativity
There are a few things you can do in ‘everyday life’ that can help you to feel creative. Surround yourself with objects that you love, and mix it up occasionally to keep it feeling fresh. I would wear my favorite sweater, or my fuzzy pink bunny slippers around the house to bring some joy and fun to my day. Try to think of ways that you can get creative doing something you enjoy in your everyday life.
Music
For me, music is another great place to go to when I need a little pep in my step. If I’m writing, sometimes it’s hard to have music on, but if I’m creating content, a planner, editing pictures or responding to emails, I usually have one of these two playlists playing in the background to set a tone that’s hard not to be inspired by.
Learning
Keep your skills sharp by staying up-to-date on the latest information in your field. Thankfully the Internet makes this process simple and usually free! With options like LinkedIn Learning, Khan Academy, and videos on YouTube, there’s no limit to what you can learn. One of these days I’m finally going to master crocheting! You can take an online course, read a book, or listen to a podcast.
Keep a Notebook
Whether you love a pen and a pad or you use a notepad app, when inspiration strikes, record it quickly right when the idea is fresh. I use my notes app so whether I’m on my phone, computer, or somewhere else, I can jot down the idea to come back to when I need an extra push for creativity.
These are just some of my favorite ways to stay inspired, what are yours? I’d love to hear in the comments! I’m always taking new ideas!
